Nationally recognized expert and Educational Studies faculty member Dr. Donna Ford tells her backstory on being gifted, black and poor in East Cleveland, and how it motivated her to create change for gifted children of color. -Robin Chenoweth is a writer for The Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology. She spoke to Dr. Donna Ford, a professor of special education. The Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology is a tapestry of people with fascinating stories to tell. Individually and collectively, faculty, staff, students and alumni are led to improve lives, create change and help those outside privilege — often led by their own personal experiences to make change. Here are their stories.