An alumnus of Chicago Public Schools from K-12 grade and a first-generation college graduate with a BBA from Tennessee State University, TaraShaun has always known the important role that education plays in shaping the minds and opportunities of the youth. While working in the business field, TaraShaun’s most enriching experiences came from her volunteer work with various community organizations including her work as a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. Her commitment to service led her to leave corporate America and follow her passion to serve students by joining Chicago Teaching Fellows as a middle school math teacher. Driven by her commitment to personal growth and excellence, Ms. Cain achieved National Board Certification in Math, Masters of Arts in Teaching from Dominican University, and a second Master of Arts in Education from National-Louis University. Her systems thinking and ability to build a professional culture of collaboration made her a natural match for educational leadership where she served as a math lead, TAP mentor teacher, assistant principal, and principal in CPS.

TaraShaun is committed to securing enriching opportunities that expand the educational experiences of the communities she serves with a heavy focus on climate, culture, and student agency. This is evident by her work with LEAP innovations in personalized learning, the Fund, the Middle School Project, and various other community-based organizations. Her work has focused on building the capacity of teachers, leaders, and students around high-quality instruction, student advocacy and engagement, personalized learning, student-centered design, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Her passion for liberatory and equitable learning conditions in schools led her to apply for the Surge fellowship in 2020. Empowered by her experiences and growth, TaraShaun continued to work to create affirming, learner-centered experiences within her school community. TaraShaun is a servant leader that is committed to excellence and assisting others in connecting to their own personal greatness through passion, press, productivity, and positivity.

Angia Kincey uses her background in social work to execute big-picture thinking and innovation. She joined the Surge Institute as The Black Principals Network Program Manager where she is dedicated to member engagement and program expansion. Her passion lies in intervening at state, local, and national levels of social injustices through grant writing, nonprofit management, and data analysis. Angia received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Houston in order to cultivate soft and technical skills for a heart-centered leadership practice.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento in Psychology, she became increasingly interested in personal development and metaphysics. As a result, she enjoys intellectual texts and books on spirituality. Angia’s spirituality is what guides her professional and personal life. She spends her free time outdoors exploring Houston, trying different foods, visiting art exhibits, and open mic nights.

Dalonte Burns is the Program Director of the Black Principals Network and Lead Pastor of VeriSource Global Center in Chicago, IL. Dalonte’s story is one of deep-rooted purpose, relentless commitment, and transformative impact. A Chicago native, first-generation college graduate, educator, leader, minister, husband, and father, Dalonte has spent over a decade driving systems-level change within education — always centering the needs, voices, and liberation of Black and Brown communities. Dalonte is also a proud CHI21 (Surge Fellowship) and TLC23 (Black Principals Network) alum.

As a former school leader at UIC College Prep, Dalonte led a school community of 900 students and 120 staff, where his impact spoke volumes: increasing staff diversity to over 75% people of color, cultivating diverse pipelines in instructional and leadership roles, achieving record-breaking ACT growth, and seeing over 90% of graduates enroll in college—securing more than $35 million in scholarships annually - all while creating frameworks rooted in instructional equity and anti-racism. He built a wraparound student support model that included three full-time social workers, strategic community partnerships, and an expansive menu of enrichment programs rooted in student voice and identity. Dalonte has managed cross-functional teams, overseen strategic plans, and implemented sustainable, equity-centered systems across his school.

His leadership doesn’t stop at the schoolhouse. In addition to his work in schools, Dalonte is a faith leader committed to healing-centered leadership and community restoration. He has been a community relations coordinator, organizing peace rallies, giveaways, and cultural events to uplift the people of Chicago. Whether in the classroom, pulpit, or policy space,— Dalonte’s mission remains clear: liberatory education is the key to multi-generational transformation. His ministry reflects the same values he brings to education: equity, dignity, and the unwavering belief that people—especially the most marginalized—deserve systems that work for them, not against them.

At the heart of his work is a belief that leadership should not only disrupt systems of harm—but build pathways for healing, restoration, and generational impact.