Chrystal Westerhaus, INDY’21 “Colectivo Ase” 

When I began my journey with Surge Institute, I stated: “I want everyone to know how great and capable our children are, all of our children are. I want our children to have the educational experience that they deserve.” Surge fueled my desire to continue to strive for equity in the city of Indianapolis, and wIth the help of the coaches Surge has provided to me, I have not only found work that aligns with my core values but have also developed skills to better navigate in our educational landscape.

Right now, I am working to launch and lead Girls IN STEM Academy, an all-girls public school for grades K-8, that is opening in Fall 2024. The school will be operated by Paramount Schools of Excellence (PSOE) in partnership with Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Every Girl Can STEM™, and Purdue Polytechnic High School. The Girls In STEM Academy will create a safe space for young ladies to belong and will ultimately result in more equitable outcomes in STEM careers.

Dr. Leslye Salinas, OAK’21 “C.R.E.A.T.O.R.S.” and 2023 Surge Angels Winner

I conceived of La Casa de Jenny, a nonprofit organization to support newcomer families as they transition to the Bay Area, as my Capstone Project during my Surge Fellowship. A year later, in Surge Angels, I developed a business plan, budget, and branding—and I learned that big dreams become much more achievable when you have accountability and support structures in place. In January 2023, I won the Surge Angels Pitch Competition and brought home a $40,000 investment to make La Casa de Jenny a reality. 

The strengths I discovered in myself during my Surge Fellowship have also enabled me to become more effective in my role as a Community School Manager of Oakland Academy of Knowledge. After experiencing Surge’s executive coaching, I’ve been able to mentor other Community School Managers as they develop their leadership skills. I have also become a leadership coach for first-generation women of color in public service jobs, addressing imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs about moving up the workplace ladder.

My life-changing Surge experience impacts me every day, as well as the network of fellow Alumni and Surge staff whose connections to resources, capital, and tools can help all of us change the landscape for our underserved communities.

Tanesha Peeples, CHI’20 “The ReSurgence”

Surge has played a 1,000% role in shaping the leader I am today—and the leader I will grow to be. Through Surge Angels in January 2023, I made a bold but scary commitment to prioritize my own venture, The Roots Initiative (TRI), which had been on my mind and in my heart since 2014. I stepped out in faith, releasing fear and challenging imposter syndrome and things that had held me back from my purpose. When I finally began to tear down those walls, the path became clear and led me to being the full-time CEO at TRI.

Coming to define and operate in my own excellence and being grounded in purpose and vision through Surge helped me finally realize what The Roots Initiative is. Carrying those lessons, experiences, and ongoing support with me every day is what inspires the genius and resilience needed to build and evolve the liberatory work we do at TRI.

I would not be where I am now without Surge Institute—heavy emphasis on “would not.” I say this often, mean it from the top and bottom of my heart, and get emotional every time I say or type it: Through Surge, I have found and am living my true purpose.

Dr. David McGuire, Indy’22 “X-Factor” and TLC23 “The Agitators” 

My lifelong connections and experiences with Surge Institute as an Academy Alumni and as an inaugural graduate of The Leadership Collaborative (part of The Black Principals Network) allow me to stand firm on my values of fighting for quality education for Black children, knowing that I will never be alone in that fight. My Surge Academy experience was about the “heart work,” which allowed me to connect back to my original “why.” Through our Leadership Story module, I was able to remind myself of what initially got me back into the field, especially at a time in my career when I needed that second wind to continue doing the hard but necessary work. 

Through my Leadership Collaborative experience, I was able to get actionable on what it means to be a school leader, and I’ve been dreaming big in pursuing my own ambitions as a professional. Now more than ever, I must be bolder and more confident in my role as Assistant Principal with MSD Lawrence Township. In addition, Surge has pushed me to lead beyond the classroom and the school. I am more inspired than ever to be a beacon of inspiration and hope for the young people in my community.