Latanya Simmons is Program Director at Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders. “Being part of affinity spaces of like-minded individuals provides a sense of healing and comfort from racial stress and/or trauma experienced from the past and present for all participants. I want to be part of Surge to reaffirm my sense of self and identity…
Biridiana Rodriguez is the Director of Quality & Accountability at the School District of Philadelphia’s Charter Schools Office. “Surge’s vision is to dramatically and urgently transform the lives and educational outcomes of low-income, first-generation students of color by changing the face of leadership in education reform. I firmly believe that the solutions for transforming the…
Ashley Pollard is Digital Inclusion Manager at City of Philadelphia. “Since moving to Philly in 2020, I’ve sought to build relationships with my neighbors and root myself in my community. I’m thrilled to join a group of thoughtful young educators of color who care as deeply for students as I do.”
Malia Neal is Executive Director at Artwell. “As an educational leader and an aspiring Head of School, I want to continue to create nurturing, progressive spaces for young people with marginalized identities (including, but not limited to, students who identify as female, non-white, LGBTQ, immigrant, and neurodiverse). My goal is to ensure that children and…
Mandisa John is Director of Program and Partnerships at Urban Teachers – Philadelphia “With my current role, I have reached a turning point in my career where I am stepping into my power, broadening my impact, developing my brand as an advocate and leader, and am starting to have opportunities come to me that will…
Malarie Grace is a manager at Elevate 215. “Through Surge, I hope to gain community, safe spaces to build vital skills, and gain truths unwillingly shared in Philadelphia. I hope to elevate my healing and move into the next phase of my journey – the opening of the boil, the surfacing of the tension and…
Shannon Ellis is the Director of Climate Implementation & Innovation at The School District of Philadelphia. “The opportunity to be named a Surge Fellow is both humbling and rewarding. I am looking forward to participating in this transformative experience alongside other Black and Brown educational leaders in Philadelphia working to protect, support and liberate Philadelphia’s…
Le’Yondo Dunn is Chief Program Officer at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School. “Philadelphia is the poorest, large city in the United States, and the implications on students, particularly brown and Black students, are immense. I wholeheartedly believe that it will take brown and Black leaders to disrupt the current status quo and bring about the transformational change…
Ubaid Bhatti is an educator at Girard College. “I hope Surge increases my capacity to be a leader and is a place where I can be empowered to continue fighting for students and people of color in all the communities I impact. Surge is access to a space that will allow me to step into the…
Chanell Bates is VP of Talent at The Union of Philadelphia Futures & Steppingstone Scholars. “I am excited to be considered for the first cohort of fellows for Surge in Philly. I am interested in working with a group of peers to engage in a continuous dialogue about our journeys through, and role in improving, the…