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 formal and informal education setting to bring about changes that will benefit Chicago’s youth at large. I envision a paradigm shift in reimagining the current education system to match students’ 21st century needs. A system that is more holistic, innovative, and equitable and meets the safety, mental health, health/nutrition, housing, and technological needs of every student. With the expansive community of changemakers that Surge brings together, shifting the educational field can be accomplished through our collective knowledge, energy, and effort.”