Surge [surj] n.

a sudden powerful forward or upward movement.

The Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to educate and develop leaders of color who create transformative change for young people, their families, and our broader communities.

We support people who profoundly and directly affect positive change in the world. We elevate leaders of color in educational spaces. Their ideas and gifts, coupled with access, resources, and encouragement, transform the people around them. Students, families, and whole communities realize their potential. There’s no limit to the possibilities.

Engage with this movement and become an agent of change.

Latest Past Events

Latinx Heritage Month Celebration: Sazón y Comunidad!

Chicago Center for Arts & Technology in Chicago 1701 W 13th St, Chicago

This event will be a vibrant celebration of the Latinx diaspora and the rich sazón of the Surge community! ​Kick off the evening with a lively welcome reception, where you’ll…

Cheers to 10 Years: Surge’s Birthday Celebration & CHI25 Welcome!

Loft Lucia 7 N Carpenter St, Chicago, IL

Next week we’ll be welcoming Chicago’s newest Surge Cohort into the family and celebrating something very special—Surge Institute’s 10th anniversary! It’s gonna be a night full of love, reflection, and…

ELEVATING LEADERS

Surge was built by and for communities of color and designed to empower, educate and elevate our leaders in the education systems serving our communities. Our goal is to serve 5,000 leaders by 2030.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

This work does not happen in silos. The Surge program suite has created a sprawling network of change-makers collectively building a brighter future for our youth.

ELEVATING VOICES

We are a megaphone for our people. Continued impact and heightened influence are the hallmarks of a true movement toward systemic change.