Surge Welcomes new Director of National Programs

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…

March 2022 Carolina Figueroa

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…

March 2022 Kim Riley

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…

Surge Academy Washington D.C.

The Washington D.C. Surge Academy identifies and accelerates promising African-American and Latinx education talent to enhance their expertise and aptitude, empowering them to transform the education ecosystem. Fellows hone: Executive Skills Problem-Solving Team-Building Techniques Navigating Education History & Politics Proclaiming Your Authentic Story/Background Strategic Relationship Management The academy encompasses a combination of content areas and learning experiences…

March 2022 Dr. Brian Dinkins

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

Surge Institute and Black Principals Network Join Together to Further Community Building and Growth Among Black Principals

 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…

Black Principals Network

The Surge Institute is the home of the Black Principals Network (BPN) Launched by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, the Black Principals Network was designed to curate space for black principals from across the country in pursuit of community, professional growth, and collective liberation. Since the program’s original launch in 2021, more than 350…