Black and brown boys deserve educators who look like them. They deserve to attend schools that are led by leaders who look like them. I’ve been incredibly energized by those doing the work to recruit Black men to teach and from my seat, I understand that recruitment is not enough. We must recruit, retain, and develop Black and Latinx men as educators.

I dream safely. I dream cautiously. I dream with parameters because I was raised to be more of a realistic hard worker than a lofty dreamer. Through Surge, I hope to activate my freedom dream and unlock the version of myself that will organize and execute opportunities to bolster stronger pipelines of educators and leaders who will serve our communities and our Black and brown boys.