Dr. Marcy Thurmond is an award-winning educator, college lecturer, arts integration specialist, author, speaker, creative strategist, and nonprofit leader who serves as the Founder and Executive Director of Integrative Arts Creations, Inc. (IAC). With more than 30 years of experience in music education, higher education, educational leadership, and community engagement, she is dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and inspiring transformational learning through creativity, collaboration, and the arts.

As the visionary behind IAC, Dr. Thurmond leads the organization's mission to connect education, the arts, leadership, and innovation to cultivate artistic, social, emotional, academic, and professional growth across diverse communities. Through strategic partnerships, creative programming, and leadership development, she works to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to discover their gifts, develop their potential, and create meaningful impact.

A three-time Teacher of the Year (2005, 2017, and 2022), the 2023 Atlanta Public Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year, and a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, Dr. Thurmond is widely recognized for her pioneering work in arts integration and instructional innovation. She currently serves as a college lecturer, preparing future educators through arts-integrated instructional practices while mentoring emerging professionals in creative and culturally responsive teaching.

Throughout her distinguished career, she has served as an ArtsNOW Inspiring Leader, Fostering Arts-Rich Education (F.A.R.E.) Leader, Master Teacher, educational consultant, workshop facilitator, peer grant review panelist for Fulton County Arts & Culture, and presenter for the Georgia Music Educators Association. Her work has equipped educators, schools, and organizations with innovative strategies that transform teaching and learning through the arts.

Dr. Thurmond is the creator of curriculum that equips educators and organizations with practical strategies for integrating the arts across disciplines while fostering creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and cultural understanding. She is also the author of What's the Cake? Teaching Music Across the Curriculum Can Be a Piece of Cake, reflecting her belief that "Arts Integration is the glue that holds all subject matter together."

Beyond her work with IAC, Dr. Thurmond is the founder of Dr. Marcy's Connections, LLC and the host of The Connecting Point with Dr. Marcy and Hidden Gems Exposed with Dr. Marcy, platforms dedicated to highlighting inspiring stories, cultivating leadership, and connecting people with purpose.

Dr. Thurmond earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Morris Brown College, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Coppin State University, and a Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership from Walden University. Guided by faith and a lifelong commitment to service, she continues to champion the transformative power of education, creativity, and the arts to develop leaders, strengthen communities, and help individuals uncover the hidden gems within themselves and others.