“For me, the stories of our participants reminded me of the strength, creativity, and persistence that lives in our schools and communities, specifically Black and brown communities. There was an understanding that folks needed to have grace and flexibility for one another.” Chalkbeat Chicago highlights the recent study from the University of Chicago’s Consortium on…
“Latino students are rarely going to encounter a Latino teacher along their educational journey. We know that when they see themselves reflected in their teachers, they’re going to have better educational outcomes.” KC Cares recently highlighted the work of the Latinx Education Collaborative, an organization founded by Edgar Palacios (KC’19). The organization also recently opened…
“Nobody really focuses on the leaders,” Cain said. “And if we don’t focus on the leaders, specifically Black leaders who are experiencing stress at rates and levels that are higher than other leaders, based on the communities they serve, we will continue to see the great resignation of leaders because they don’t have the resources…
(Oakland, CA – April 4th, 2022) Since 2018, Surge has had the incredible honor of joining disruptors in the Bay Area to carve out a fellowship space designed specifically for connection among emerging leaders of color in education. Throughout this journey, there have been challenges, not in building community, but in building continuing financial support…
Rosecrans Ventures Founder, Halleemah Nash (CHI’17), will join the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) as an Executive in Residence in support of its signature program, HBCU in LA. The HBCU in LA Internship Program is EICOP’s signature initiative and the first Los Angeles based program of its kind to provide underrepresented students with housing…
The South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce honored six projects for the 2022 Community Impact Awards at its Annual Dinner, and Youth Guidance was awarded the Big Impact award of the year for its Becoming A Man (BAM) and Working On Womanhood (WOW) programs in the Hickman Mills School District. Youth Guidance in Kansas City…
Chicago, IL – April 1st, 2022) The Surge Institute is excited to welcome Milka Ramírez, Ph.D., LCSW, PEL as the organization’s new Director of National Programs. Dr. Milka Ramirez is an Afro-Caribbean queer healer, mission and value driven leader, and cultural worker. Guided by community building, anti-racism, and anti-oppressive practices, Milka has extensive experience working…
Naptown United, a new Indianapolis-based soccer club, was featured in a local news segment. Naptown United is led by Stand for Children bilingual organizer and Peruvian native, Carolina Figueroa (IND’21). Carolina also expanded on the project as part of her Freedom Dreams Project during the Surge Academy program. “We’re really concentrated on the youth in…
The Transition Academy, an organization founded by Kim Riley (KC’20), was recently announced as one of NewSchools Venture Fund’s newest grantees. She is part of a new group of innovators — all leaders of color — who are receiving nearly $1.5 million in unrestricted funding to advance racial equity in education. Read the full story…
Claudia Montes Salinas (IND’22) has begun her new role with Indiana University Health as the Mosaic Center Special Projects Manager. The Mosaic Center for Work, Life and Learning is a workforce development initiative that will support Indianapolis youth and adults as they navigate a path to and across healthcare careers, clinical and nonclinical as well…
After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from students/faculty/staff/alumni, Dr. Brian Dinkins (IND’22) will join the Butler University College of Education faculty as an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Director of Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP). Learn more about EPPSP: www.butler.edu/education/graduate-programs/educational-administration-eppsp
TaraShaun Cain (CHI’20) has joined the Surge Leadership team as Executive Director of the Black Principals Network. The Black Principals Network was incubated and funded by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, which invests in building a diverse educator workforce as part of its broader efforts to ensure all students are able to access a…
The Surge Institute announces relaunch of the Black Principals Network (BPN) as part of its national programming suite TaraShaun Cain announced as Executive Director of BPN (Chicago, IL – February 28, 2022) — Today, the Surge Institute announced a new collaborative and collective action effort with the Black Principals Network to continue to expand capacity…
Tiara Wheatley (CHI’20) has accepted the role of Vice President, Alumni Impact at the Surge Institute. In her new role, Tiara will be responsible for developing the strategy and ensuring successful execution and measurement of Surge Alumni programming. Furthermore, this role is aligned with the second pillar of the Surge Ahead, the organization’s three-year Strategic Plan. Learn…
(Chicago, IL – February 18, 2022) The Surge Institute is excited to welcome Surge Alumna, Tiara Wheatley (CHI’20), as the new Vice President of Alumni Impact. An educator, mentor, equity advocate and lifelong Chicagoan, Tiara has dedicated her career to serving Chicago’s youth, and it was at Chicago Tech Academy where she discovered her lifelong…
Dr. Lateshia Woodley (KC’20) was featured in EdWeek’s 2022 Leaders to Learn From. The honorees are innovative district leaders who have showed resiliency and fortitude as they found ways to support students and families during a year of continued disruption. Lateshia was recognized for Leadership in Whole-Child Supports. Learn more about Lateshia’s work as featured…
The local Indianapolis news recently covered Thrival Indy’s hypnotherapy services and the impact that this focus on mental health has had on our school culture. India Johnson currently serves as the school’s Executive Director. Read the full story here.
(INDIANAPOLIS, IN – February 3, 2022) Last Fall kicked off the Surge Institute’s recruitment cycle to seek the next class of leaders of color in Indianapolis to #JoinTheSurge. After having the opportunity to connect with many education leaders and learn about the collective vision for transformative change in their communities, we are excited to welcome…
(CHICAGO, IL – January 26, 2022) – Surge Institute is excited to announce the “Let Us Write/Right Our Story” Summit, a virtual convening on February 21, 2022 that will focus on galvanizing Black Male & Masculine-Identifying talent across the country to choose and stay in the education profession. We are in a critical moment in…
The Poetry Foundation has welcomed Diego Báez (CHI’19) as a new Harriet Books reviewer. Named after Harriet Monroe, the founding editor of Poetry Magazine, Harriet Books centers the work of poets and serves as a portal to the latest poetry-related news. Read more here.