KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Surge Institute, a national non-profit organization, whose mission is to elevate and invest in leaders of color who create transformative change in urban education, recently selected 17 leaders for the second cohort of their Surge Academy Fellowship in Kansas City.
The 17 leaders selected for the 2020 cohort will embark on a six-month-long program, which aims to advance emerging African-American and Latinx education leaders. Each of these new family members will be welcomed into the Surge community, which values intentionality in elevating one's strengths as well as reclaiming of a collective narrative as executive leaders of color in education. Throughout the experience, Surge Academy Fellows will explore innovative and far-reaching approaches to transforming urban education for youth and communities.
"As a Surge Fellow, I hope to increase my leadership capacity to challenge the status quo while connecting with other leaders to contend with issues on the educational landscape that are rooted in socio-historical oppressive narratives and beliefs to help our students to reach the pinnacle of their academic success. Furthermore, I seek to broaden my knowledge base and skills to create powerful change in the system and I am positive that the networks and coaching in the Surge Academy will help me to not only join the movement but help others to catch fire as well," said Jermaine Wilson, 2020 Kansas City Surge Academy Fellow and Director of Counseling and Support Services/AVID District Director at Kansas City Public Schools.
"More than ever, we need courageous leaders that will push the conversation and actions further to ensure that African-American and Latinx youth are given a rigorous education that will help them to navigate the waters of life successfully," continued Wilson.
The following is a list of the 2020 Chicago Surge Fellows:
- Laura Isabel Alvarez; Education Marketing Project Specialist, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- Susana Elizarraraz; 6th Grade Math Teacher, Kansas City Public Schools
- Jorge Fuller; Impact Manager, City Year Kansas City
- AshleyMarie Marie; Postsecondary Retention Specialist, Kauffman Scholars, Inc.
- Cristina Marquez; Trauma Sensitive School Clinician, Kansas City Public Schools
- Brittney McGinley; Development and Engagement Manager, Kansas City Teacher Residency
- Eduardo Mendez; Director of Student Services, Guadalupe Centers School
- Ajia Morris; Founder, CEO, The Greenline Initiative
- David Muhammad; Executive Director and Head Youth Instructor, Integrity Martial Arts Academy
- Cescily Phillips; Dean of Students, Ewing Marion Kauffman School
- Jahna Riley; Founding Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy
- Kim Riley; Consultant, Education Consulting in Special Education
- Jacqueline Rodriguez; K-5 ESL Instructional Coach, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
- Catina Taylor; Founder, Dreams Consulting
- Garrett Webster; Director of Admissions, Kansas City Public Schools
- Jermaine Wilson; Director of Counseling and Support Services/AVID District Director, Kansas City Public Schools
- Lateshia Woodley; Executive Director of Student Support Services, Kansas City Public Schools
Over the course of the program, Surge Academy Fellows will receive executive skill training, a space for connection and coalition building, and the tools needed to facilitate transformative change within institutions and organizations serving youth in Kansas City. In addition, fellows will delve into modules of powerful content that explores topics such as finance and change management, all while having an ongoing dialogue about personal growth, trauma and the true state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the United States.
After completion of the program, graduating Academy Fellows become part of an elite and growing national network of Surge Alumni who are continuously leading equitable change in education across the nation. The inaugural Surge Academy cohort recently graduated in June 2019, and they continue to be transformative change-makers and empowered champions of their communities.
The Surge Academy is made possible with funding from the following partners: Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Hall Family Foundation and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation respectively.
About the Surge Institute:
The Surge Institute was established in 2014 with a simple but important mission to develop and elevate leaders of color who create transformative change for children, families, and communities. Founded by Carmita Semaan in 2014, the organization was designed to empower emerging diverse leaders to change the landscape of education by providing them with a unique, authentic leadership development experience. To learn more about The Surge Institute, please visit: https://www.surgeinstitute.org/
SOURCE Surge Institute
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