Home: Lake Stevens, WA. Age: 50-something. Birthplace: Hampton, VA. Profession: Educator. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Alma mater: Howard University.
Current project: Working on new manuscript. Recent professional development: Workshops at the AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Latest accomplishment: Published The Teachers Black Students Need. Latest contribution to others: Workshopped with aspiring authors to teach them how to publish a book. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Becoming a school district superintendent. Recent travel or adventure: Jamaica. Recent unique acquisition: First edition of The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin.
Personality profile: Decisive, adventurous, caring. Moral compass: The teachings of the Bible. How do you define a perfect friendship? Unfiltered honesty, mutual growth, deep laughter. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Mutual respect, shared purpose, high expectations. What is your greatest joy? Helping people grow into the version of themselves they didn’t know they could become. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Skilled tradespeople: electricians, carpenters, and mechanics. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Cooking high-quality meals and hosting people. Going to Broadway plays. What is at the top of your bucket list? Delivering a TED Talk that challenges how we think about race, education and human connection.
What was your favorite college course? American Literature. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Stretch Armstrong. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A pro wrestling championship belt. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Don’t just be smart, be kind. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Lead with your values and the right people will follow. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Real dialogue, especially with students, educators or people outside of your usual circle. What company or organization do you most admire? The Equal Justice Initiative. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Becoming a principal, which reshaped how I see people, systems and the ripple effects of leadership.
What is your big idea?
To radically improve the way educators are prepared to teach Black students.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? I’m working to dismantle performative equity in education. What change would you like to see in the world? More courageous empathy. What message do you want to send out into the world? Start where you are, but don’t stay there. Growth demands discomfort. What widely held belief do you reject? That good intentions are enough. They’re not; intentions without impact can still do harm.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? James Baldwin. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An architect. Now my daughter wants to be one. What would you do if you had unlimited resources for one year? I’d create a fully funded teacher training institute focused on racial equity, student voice, and systemic transformation. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my closest family and friends, eating amazing food, laughing hard, sharing memories and discussing the ways we’ve impacted each other. What advice would you give your younger self? Stop asking for permission to be yourself. You already have everything you need to lead, to create, to change lives. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day I walked across the graduation stage with my doctorate. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My mid-twenties. I was trying to be who others needed me to be, instead of owning who I already was.
Personal mission: To build a generation of educators who understand, affirm and advocate for Black students with courage, competence and compassion. Personal motto: Start with heart. Finish with purpose. Favorite quote: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year - it is the struggle of a lifetime” (John Lewis). Desired epitaph: He led with truth, loved deeply and made the work count.
