2020 has been quite a year—from countless tropical storms and wildfires to the global pandemic of COVID-19–our shared trauma has been compounded by America’s national reckoning of racism and continued systemic oppression. We, however, continue to be inspired and remain hopeful because of the remarkable stories of charter school leaders of color who have been persistent in their pursuit of equity.
As government systems came to a halt and our national leadership failed to invest in children, charter school leaders of color made sure their families’ basic needs were met.
Across the next twelve weeks, we will spotlight the inaugural Manati Fellows and school founders who opened their doors for the first time amidst the pandemic. Although their stories are all unique, they share a commitment to enriching the lives of their students while leading and shaping their communities
Our 2020 Leaders!
Kathryn Procope
Head of School
Howard University Middle School of
Mathematics & Science
Washington, DC
Janine Gomez
Executive Director
I Dream Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Shawn Hardnett
Founder & CEO,
Statesmen College Preparatory
Academy for Boys
Washington, DC
Monica Green
Founder & Executive Director,
Capital Village Public Charter Schools
Washington, DC
Myron Long
Founder & Executive Director,
The Social Justice School
Washington, DC
Brandon Johnson
Founding Principal,
The Social Justice School
Washington, DC
Regina Rodriguez
Executive Director
Shining Stars Montessori Academy
Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Karen Venable-Croft
Co-founder & Executive Director,
Girls Global Academy Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Shayne Swift
Cofounder and Principal,
Girls Global Academy Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Carolyn Young Folk
Chief of Staff
Richard Wright Public Charter Schools for Journalism & Media Arts
Washington, DC
Ma'at Lands
Executive Director & Founding School Leader,
Rooted School Indianapolis at Eastern Star Church
Indianapolis, IN
Charlotte Spann
Executive Director of Schools
Paul Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Rasheki Kuykendall
Vice Principal
Roots Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Shandrea Daniel
Founding Principal
Future is Now Preparatory
Lake Hughes, CA
Our 2019 Champions!
Chase Patterson
Lagra Newman
Jonathan Johnson
Daniela Anello
Our 2019 Leaders!
Daniela Anello
Head of School
DC Billingual
Washington, DC
Jonathan Johnson
Founding Executive Director
Rooted School
New Orleans, LA
Lagra Newman
Founder and Head of School
Purpose Prep
Nashville, TN
Chase Patterson
CEO
Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Rachel Crouch
Principal
Perry Street Prep Charter School
Washington DC
Richard Lee
Executive Director
Academy of the City Charter School
Woodside, NY
LaKendra Butler
Founder and Executive Director
STRIVE Collegiate Academy
Nashville, TN
Ray Ankrum
Superintendent
Riverhead Charter School
Calverton, NY
Ignacio Prado
Founder and Executive Director
Futuro Academy Charter School
Las Vegas, Nevada
Erika Bryant
Executive Director
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Marcus Harden
Founder
Academy for Creating Excellence
Atlanta, GA
Melanie Askew
Founder and Head of School
Elan Academy
New Orleans, LA
Anpao Duta Flying Earth
Executive Director
Native American Community Academy
Albuquerque, NM
Bridget Carvajal
Executive Director
Valiente College Preparatory
Southgate, CA
Tiffanie Lewis
Founder and CEO
J. S. Clark Leadership Academy
Opelousas, LA
Sean Wilson
CEO and Head of School
International High School of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Rochelle Elliott
Superintendent and Principal
Phoenix Advantage Charter School
Phoenix, AZ
Raymond Weeden
Executive Director
Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Leslie-Bernard Joseph
Chief Executive Officer
Coney Island Prep
Brooklyn, NY
Tori Jackson Hines
Founder and Executive Director
Resurgence Hall Charter School
Atlanta, GA
Terri Williams
Principal
Robert Russa Moton Charter School
New Orleans, LA
Danielle West
Director & Chief Academic Officer
The Queen City Academy Charter School
Plainfield, NJ
Kimberly Neal
Founder & Executive Director
BELIEVE Circle City Early College and Career High School
Indianapolis, IN
Jonta Morris
Founder & CEO
Legacy Prep
Birmingham, AL
Marcos Martinez
Founder & CEO
PONDER Academy Schools
Cheyenne, WY