Darnell Motley
“I am excited to be a Surge Fellow because it represents the chance to grow alongside a community of leaders who are as committed to equity, love, and justice as…
Eron Godi
“Surge represents both a catalyst and a community. It is the bridge between my Freedom Dream—the Bakari Youth Diaspora Project, a global home for language, liberation, and healing—and the practical…
Juan Pablo Esquivel
“It’s a community where leaders of the global majority are seen, supported, and pushed to grow in ways that ripple far beyond ourselves. I chose Surge because I wanted to…
Keviyona Ray
“Participating in Surge means joining a powerful community of leaders who understand the weight of oppression, the sting of microaggressions, and the persistence of systemic inequity. It offers a safe…
Nino Rodriguez
“I chose Surge because too often I found myself engaging in healing and liberation work on an island. Over time, my interactions with Surge and Surge fellows have led me…
SaShay Butler
“As a Black, queer, gender-expansive, southern-transplant who’s made Chicago my home – my identities enable me to speak with cultural humility, curiosity, and care. I’m a seeker – a person…
Shannon R. Keys
“I chose Surge because I want to challenge myself, expand my thinking, and learn alongside other dynamic professionals. With over 17 years of experience as an educator and program leader,…
Alejandra Sandoval Martinez
“Surge, to me, is where leaders of color come together to strengthen our capacity to transform the educational experiences of Black and Brown students. As a first-generation Latina who grew…
Amber Henderson
“Surge, to me, is a radical act of love. It is a space where I can rest from the weight of proving, performing, and justifying—and instead root myself unapologetically in…
Cheyane Bligen
“I have seen firsthand the inequities in our educational system—how quickly Black and Brown students are treated as if they are not worth the investment, or displaced instead of supported.…