Malia Neal
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…
Mandisa John
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…
Malarie Grace
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…
Shannon Ellis
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…
Le’Yondo Dunn
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,…
Ubaid Bhatti
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…
Chanell Bates
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.…
Jennie Vazquez-Garcia
Jennie Vazquez-Garcia is a Dual Language Educator at Talcott Fine Arts and Museum Academy “The global pandemic has brought on a need for me to live with intentionality and with being…
Juleny Santa Cruz
Juleny Santa Cruz is the Neighborhood Leadership Initiative Council and Special Projects Manager at Mikva Challenge “As a lifelong Chicagoan from the Little Village community, Surge will allow me to…
Jose Rodriguez
Jose Rodriguez is the Dean of Restorative Practice at Roosevelt High School “My work feels incomplete right now. There are adults that are causing harm to our BIPOC students in spaces…