Ronnie Gladden

Dr. Ronnie Gladden is an educator, author, actor, and tenured college professor whose work focuses on identity, diversity, and belonging. Gladden has contributed to the fields of acting, writing, music, dance, journalism, social work, and teaching, integrating these disciplines to address issues of diversity and inclusion. Gladden regularly speaks on topics related to identity, diversity, and inclusion for K-12 schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations, including Ronald McDonald House Charities, the city of Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky University. Gladden also advises student LGBTQ+ organizations and has developed diversity and inclusion training curricula and speaking series across multiple campuses, emphasizing identity reconciliation, empowerment, and independent representation through leadership practices.

Gladden holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Kentucky University, a Master of Fine Arts from Miami University, a Master of Education from Xavier University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cincinnati. Gladden attended the International Summer Schools Study at the University of Cambridge and was accepted into the dramatic performance program at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and a conference at The Juilliard School. This combination of academic and creative training informs Gladden’s approach to education and public speaking.

As an author, Gladden wrote the memoir "White Girl Within," an identity management resource and self-help memoir for teens and young adults. The book explores intersectional identity, focusing on transgender and transracial experiences, and includes creative letters, personal experiences, social critique, and an interactive resource section. "White Girl Within" has been reviewed by Publishers Weekly for its account of intersectional identity.

Gladden appeared in "The Rachel Divide," a documentary about complex identity that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and streams on Netflix. Gladden is also known for the film "Notzilla" and the TV series "Ronnie & the Others," which Gladden wrote. Gladden’s work and advocacy have been featured on platforms including Medium, POPSUGAR, Yahoo!, Tribeca International Film Festival, TEDx, and Netflix. Gladden contributed to Mithu M. Sanyal’s book "Identitti" and has been featured in UCLA’s Queer Cats Journal.

Gladden’s work with at-risk teens and young adults has contributed to improved educational and equity outcomes. Mentored by authors Jackie Mitchard and Alissa Nutting, Gladden brings both lived experience and academic depth to engagements with audiences in education, diversity, and inclusion.