“I have seen firsthand the inequities in our educational system—how quickly Black and Brown students are treated as if they are not worth the investment, or displaced instead of supported. My earliest experiences showed me how “easy” it was for the system to push out a Black boy rather than nurture his potential. These realities made clear that the system was never built for us and that too often it operates as if our communities are expendable. This is why I am drawn to Surge. Surge offers more than a fellowship: it is a community, a collective of leaders who share a vision for equity. I want tangible tools to navigate and disrupt these systems. Being part of this community means I won’t be doing this work in isolation, but alongside others equally committed to transformation.”
Cheyane Bligen | Senior Associate, Public Affairs, The Chicago Public Education Fund