Yadira Guzman
“As a Latina in a leadership role, my credentials and abilities have often come into question simply because of my identity. Being a Surge fellow is important to me because…
Tiffany Walker
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a wide range of inequalities that are most often experienced by children of color. There is a lot of work to be done to help…
Tia Speat
“It is my hope that the Surge Fellowship will give me the safe space and platform to connect with other leaders of color who share similar and different experience than…
Sasha Villagrana -Frost
“For me, Surge symbolizes community, a space where I can dream for my community, for our future, and for my ancestors. We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams, and joining the…
Rosa Ramirez Richter
“Surge is about reimagining your own power, civic duty and having the courage to take on transformational change in our educational systems. For me that means, quieting my own doubts,…
Rachel Roberts
“As a Surge Fellow, I hope to join a network of like-minded, driven individuals who will contribute to my growth on my leadership journey. I hope to expand my skill…
Nicholas Jones
“The Surge Fellowship provides leaders with a safe space to interrogate and discover themselves. To be an impactful leader, the work has to start with self first. I’m committed to…
Nedra Lucas
“For me, Surge means more to me than the amplified impact for students and elevation of Black and Brown leaders within the city of Chicago. Surge is about community. It’s…
Maria Cruz
“Surge has always been a self-indicator that I am seeking personal growth, nourishing my values, and empowering myself to be an active disruptor of inequitable education practices. Surge is necessary…
Kimesha James
“There are issues that have become more and more pressing educational challenges, particularly for Black and Latinx students, that need immediate attention and advocacy. Becoming a Surge fellow would assist…