The Surge Institute welcomes new Vice President of National Programs

(Chicago, IL) – The national movement to elevate transformative leaders in education just entered a new chapter as education innovator Rodney Thomas begins a new journey leading program strategy as Vice President of National Programs at the Surge Institute. The role is critical in continuing to ensure sustainability for the Surge Institute’s current Surge Fellowship…

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#SurgeForMore 2019 Sees a Milestone in the Movement!

The 2019 #SurgeForMore giving campaign recently concluded with the usher of a new decade, and we were blown away by the incredible wave of generous donations and support for our work and community. Thanks to all of the amazing donors, we were able to surpass our original goal of $150,000 to support programming that elevates…

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January 2020 Steven Rosado

Steven Rosado, 2019 Surge Chicago Alum has joined the Praxis Institute Chicago as the Director of Strategy and Engagement. The Praxis Institute Chicago works with individuals, teams, communities, and organizations to apply research and practice informed strategies to meet their goals. They provide consultation, coaching, and facilitation services to help partners discover, identify and execute…

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January 2020 Sara Rizik-Baer

January 2020 Sara Rizik-Baer, 2018 Surge Oakland Alum was featured on a Learn with Less podcast episode titled “Choosing Books for Infants and Toddlers.”

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January 2020 Adrian DeLeón and Nick Freeman

Innovare – Social Innovation Partners, an organization co-founded by Adrian DeLeón, 2015 Surge Chicago Alum, and Nick Freeman, 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, was selected as part of the GSV Ventures’ “Elite 200.”

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January 2020 Janene Ingram

January 2020 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Janene Ingram, has accepted the role of Director of Program for Pitch In – Wood Family Foundation. In her new role, Janene will will set the vision for and drive the growth and expansion of the program, and will ultimately be a key contributor to ensuring as many students…

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January 2020 Chanelle Bell

TEDxNaperville recently published 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Chanelle Bell’s TEDxTalk titled “How theatre helped me reclaim my power.”

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Welcome the Kansas City 2020 Surge Academy Fellows!

We are proud to announce that 17 leaders of color who currently serve within the Kansas City education landscape have been selected for the 2020 Surge Academy Fellowship!  The Surge Institute initially began by serving Chicago-based communities in 2015, with the total number of our National Surge Alumni reaching over 100 education leaders of color…

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Surge Chicago and Surge Oakland Introduce Local Boards!

We are thrilled and honored to introduce the Chicago and Oakland local boards! These seasoned, dynamic and brilliant leaders will help broaden and deepen the Surge movement in each of these cities as champions of the mission, strategic advisors, and partners in fulfilling growth goals alongside the Surge leadership team and Board of Directors. The…

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December 2019 Candace-Moore

At the PILI Annual Awards Luncheon, Shareholder and Secretary of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Board of Directors, Daniel Lange, presented the Distinguished Intern Alumni Award to 2015 Surge Chicago Alum and former PILI intern, Candace Moore.

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December 2019 Terrence A. Pruitt

December 2019 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Terrence A. Pruitt founded Project Restore Initiative LLC. Project Restore Initiative (PRI) provides curriculum development, consulting, training and coaching services to organizations, school districts, and companies aimed at creating more equitable environments and experiences for students and communities. PRI uses healing centered engagement to support organizations and practitioners in…

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Harvard Education Press Publishes the Surge Institute Case Study

The Harvard Education Press, a mission-driven publisher that covers critical issues in education such as classroom practice, equity, leadership and school reform, has recently approved and published a case study that chronicles the founding, early scale building, and impact of the Surge Institute. The Surge Institute is a national nonprofit that develops and elevates leaders…

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November 2019 Jacare Thomas

November 2019 2019 Surge Chicago Alum, Jacare Thomas has accepted the role, Chief of Growth and Innovation, for the Umoja Student Development Corporation. In his new role, Jacare will lead the organization in planning and developing its capacity and opportunities for increased social impact. He will also provide leadership to the Umoja strategic planning process…

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November 2019 Ashley Leonard

November 2019 2017 Surge Chicago Alum, Ashley Leonard, accepted a new role as the Founding Associate Director of the Middle Grades Network for the To&Through Project at the University of Chicago Urban Education Initiative. Learn more HERE.

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November 2019 Zakir Parpia

November 2019 2019 Surge Oakland Alum, Zakir Parpia, recently served as a co-editor for the National AfterSchool Association (NAA)’s magazine “After School Today.” Read it  HERE.

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