Simone Webster
Independent Consultant for The Black Wildflowers Fund and Columbia University Center for Public Research and Leadership
Mark Harris
Program Analyst at DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Stephanie Renee Young
“My hope is the Surge experience will challenge me and push my boundaries around thinking and navigating our current system of education. I really hope to better understand more structural and political underpinnings of our system, and learn more on how to overcome the ingrained inequities that keep our young people from reaching their dreams.…
Serena-Monet Lewis
Academy Director at Words Beats & Life, Inc.
Dignorlyn Poweriet
“As a Surge Fellow I hope to become a serving leading in my community and become of support to other young professionals” Corporate and Foundations Partnerships Director at City Year DC
Brittany Richardson
“As an educator and aspiring leader, I am elated to learn from Black and Brown leaders in the education field. I hope to acquire the tools necessary to best serve my stakeholders as I progress in my career.” Humanities Teacher at Center City Public Charter Schools
Aloysia Jean (AJ)
“The Surge Academy represents the professional network of color that I have searched for my entire career. It reminds me that the work of uplifting students of color and ensuring they have the tools, resources, and support to succeed cannot be done alone. To me, Surge means that it is possible to find like-minded, community-driven,…
Ashley Ogbonna
“I hope my Surge experience provides me with the added confidence to more frequently use my voice and to share knowing that my lens of experience is a valuable one necessary to reach greater outcomes for our students. My hope is also to connect particularly with other emerging leaders who have the desire to…
Jhonna Turner
“I have learned that excellent leadership is an ongoing journey that requires precise tools to carve, chip and mold leaders to be excellent. Surge Academy provides the training, resources and connections to not just sail into excellent leadership, but soar, flourish and make a significant impact so that all children have an opportunity to thrive…
Jessica Gonzalez
“I want to continue to contribute my lifelong experience as a learner to help students achieve their own freedom dreams, by continuing to create spaces that foster conflict resolution and restorative practices in safe spaces. My freedom dream is for young people in DC to be able to achieve self actualization and experience self determination.…