Stephanie Hernandez

Stephanie Hernandez is the Teacher Leadership Operations Manager, Distributed Leadership Specialist at Chicago Public Schools. “To me, Surge is a collective of like-minded people of Color serving youth in Chicago who…

Sameka Gates

Sameka Gates is a 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher at KIPP Chicago. “Surge means an opportunity to continue to grow as a person and as a leader. To be surrounded by…

Wisam Fillo

Wisam Fillo, Director, Alumni Leadership Advancement (Talent) at Teach for America. “I believe strongly that our students deserve to have high-impact leaders who look like them. On top of that,…

James Fields

James Fields is a Senior Program Director – Neighborhood Leadership Initiative at Mikva Challenge. “My experience as a black educator on Chicago’s south and west sides has taught me that…

Tony Diaz

Tony Diaz is the Deputy Program Officer at After School Matters. “My goal in joining the fellowship is to meet and connect with other influential leaders of color in the…

Mercedes Alvear

Mercedes Alvear is a Success Bound Coach at Lefkofsky Family Foundation/Success Bound. “For years Black, Brown, and Indigenous people have worked vigorously to dismantle systems of oppression and white supremacists…