Charter School Leaders of Color
There is a growing cadre of charter school leaders of color who are finding new and better ways to help children learn by founding, leading or advocating for public charter schools. Education Post frequently shares and highlights the work of these inspiring leaders.
Here are some notable profiles from publications around the country:
- “Superhero” Dion Steele Creates Limitless Possibilities at Urban Prep-Englewood
By Katelyn Silva, Chicago Defender, May 8, 2017
Dion Steele, principal of Urban Prep Academies’ Englewood campus, says he has “500 sons, and three daughters at home.” Urban Prep is the nation’s first charter network dedicated to serving young African-American men. For the last eight years in a row, Urban Prep has sent 100 percent of its graduates to college. - Paying It Forward: First-Generation College Grad Leads South Chicago Charter
By Maureen Kelleher, Chicago Defender, June 8, 2017
Vincent Gay, the principal of Baker College Prep in South Chicago, tells how his own experience as a first-generation college student inspired him to work in communities like the one where he grew up. - Chicago Principal Creates Model for Educating Black Boys
By Marilyn Rhames, Ebony, April 26, 2017
Christopher Goins runs Butler College Prep has a high success rate among his Black male students. And it’s largely for a simple reason. - Charter School Leader Works to Ensure Black Kids Aren’t Left Behind
By Katelyn Silva, Chicago Defender, April 19, 2017
Tanika Island Childress, principal and now CEO of the University of Chicago Charter School network, talks about her lifelong journey to develop the innate excellence of young Black children. - He Seeks More Black Men to Teach in Philly and Beyond
By Kristen Graham, The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 3, 2017
Sharif El-Mekki leads a Philadelphia charter school, and he also launched a fellowship to encourage more Black men into teaching.
On Our Blog
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Vanessa Rodriguez has deep experience working with the students of New York City. She started her career as a bilingual teacher at a Bronx elementary…
Ever Seen a Black Boy Superhero?
Dion Steele, principal of Urban Prep Academies’ Englewood campus, says he has “500 sons, and three daughters at home.” Urban Prep is the nation’s first…
These 4 Educators of Color Want to Start Charter Schools in Los Angeles But It’s Not That Easy
During tomorrow’s Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board meeting, four men of color will petition to open three new charter schools in very high-need areas…
The Woman Behind the Miracle on Cooper Street in Camden
Point A: A young girl born in Puerto Rico in 1962 spends her childhood traveling up and down the Eastern Coast from Florida to New…
We Used to Be One of the Worst Schools in California. Not Anymore.
With high suspension rates, low achievement scores and ineffective teachers, Pacoima Elementary had the dishonor of being one of the worst schools in California. So…
A Principal Helping Kids to Be the First in Their Family to Go to College, Just Like He Was
First-generation college student Vincent Gay started his journey on a wrestling scholarship at Edinboro University, near Erie, Pennsylvania. Early on, he got into such difficulty…
You Don’t Know a School Until You Know Its Community: Lessons From a Charter School Principal
As administrators, teachers, or any other sort of “expert” in education, we can often come into school communities thinking we know the answers, that we…
Coffee Break: Charter School Leader Shaka Mitchell on TEDx Talks, Justice and Shaking Things Up in Music City
Shaka Mitchell, leader of Nashville’s Rocketship schools, is a jack of all trades. The avid runner, former attorney and recent TEDx Talk presenter is shaking…
Coming Back to the School That Served Him Meant More Than Any Job Title Could
I met Danny Herrera a couple of years ago. It’s hard to put a date on it as I remember his face from our time…
