Nationally recognized expert 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