From an impressive pool of applicants, 25 African American and Latinx leaders were selected for the 2019 Chicago Fellowship program.
In October, the 2019 cohort will begin the year-long program in October, which grooms emerging diverse talent, empowering them to change the landscape of education by providing them with unique leadership and advocacy skills.
“Being a part of the Surge Fellowship will help me to grow as a leader in order to affect change in educational and administrative practices, to empower the growth and achievement of Chicago youth and communities of color,” shared 2019 Surge Fellow Jordan Owens, Speech, Language, and Audiology Coordinator at Chicago Public Schools. “I wholeheartedly believe in the power of collective work and the power of like-minded individuals to affect significant change.”
The following is a list of the 2019 Chicago Surge Fellows:
- Onel Abreu, Assistant Principal, Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy
- Ana Agarrat, Development Associate, Network for College Success, The University of Chicago
- Diego Baez, Faculty, Harry S. Truman College
- Chanelle Bell, Senior Government and Community Organizer, Noble Network of Charter Schools
- Dirrick Butler, Manager of Scholar Experience and Events, Chicago Scholars
- Everett Daily, Assistant Principal of Culture, Amandla Charter School
- Cheryl Flores, Director of Community Schools & Youth Services, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
- Melissa Flores, Senior Director, Programs & Quality Assurance, Erie Neighborhood House
- Nick Freeman, Co-Founder & President, Innovare – Social Innovation Partners
- Ngozi Harris, WOW Training Manager, Youth Guidance
- JuDonne Hemingway, Assistant Principal-Academics, Butler College Prep
- Janene Ingram, Senior Director, OneGoal
- Jessica Jones-Lewis, Senior Program Coordinator, College Possible
- Cecily Langford, Assistant Principal, Farragut Career Academy IB World School
- Helen Loving, Dean of Operations, DRW College Prep
- Luis Narvaez, Project Director, Chicago Public Schools
- Jordan Owens, Speech, Language, and Audiology Coordinator, Chicago Public Schools
- Terrence Pruitt, Dean of Discipline, DRW College Prep
- Aimee Rodriguez, Project Manager, Chicago Public Schools
- Steven Rosado, Senior Program Director, Citywide Youth Councils, Mikva Challenge
- Ernesto Saldivar, Jr., Assistant Principal, John H. Hamline Elementary
- Nina Smith, Executive Director, LEAP (Language Empowers All People)
- Jacare Thomas, Manager of Data Strategy, Chicago Public Schools
- Myra Winding, Special Projects Manager, Chicago Public Schools
- Lydia Young, Director of Teacher Support, OneGoal
“I believe that it is important for our African American and Latinx youth to see leaders who look like them, working together and fighting for educational access and advancement in order to cultivate strong leaders and even stronger communities,” concluded Owens.
The Surge Fellowship program provides fellows with executive skill training, leadership development and a space for connection; and in doing so equips fellows with the tools and networks needed to facilitate transformative change within institutions and organizations serving youth and communities of color. Graduating fellows become part of an elite and growing national network of Surge Alumni. As of August 2018, Surge has more than 80 fellowship alumni leading change in cities across the U.S.
