Jahna Riley
Jahna Riley is the Founder of Aya Coffee and Books. “I think people of color – specifically those fighting for the lives of our children – have been beaten up…
Cescily Phillips
Cescily Phillips is the Dean of Students at Ewing Marion Kauffman School. “Surge is a movement! Something amazing about movements is that they are not just for those actively working…
David Muhammad
David Muhammad is the Executive Director and Head Youth Instructor at Integrity Martial Arts Academy. “I’ve been craving an environment that will challenge me to work through my shortcomings. I…
Ajia Morris
Ajia Morris is the Founder & CEO of The Greenline Initiative. “Realizing how pervasive institutional oppression is has compelled me to be an educational leader and now, as a Surge…
Eduardo Mendez
Eduardo Mendez is the Director of Student Services at the Guadalupe Centers School. “While the achievement gap between Latino and African-Americans compared to white children has been well documented over…
Brittney Heverling
Brittney Heverling is the Development and Engagement Manager at Kansas City Teacher Residency. “Surge Academy creates space and place for leaders of color to unite in their purpose developing equitable…
Cristina Marquez
Cristina Marquez is the Founding Social Worker at Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy. “Surge is the opportunity I’ve been looking for to connect and engage with other passionate educators. I…
AshleyMarie Marie
AshleyMarie Marie is a Postsecondary Retention Specialist at Kauffman Scholars Inc. “I’m choosing to embark on the Surge experience because I believe it will help me to see myself and…
Jorge Fuller
Jorge Fuller is an Impact Manager at City Year Kansas City. “For every challenge, there is a success only seen by the beholder.”-JAF. Imagine the times of Marcus Garvey and…
Susana Elizarraraz
Susana Elizarraraz is the Vice President of Educator Supports at Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC). “What Surge means to me is a place of community to tackle the uphill battle of…