"Long live the rose that grew from the concrete when no one even cared” – Tupac
WHO WE ARE
Our Tribe of program leaders and fellows consist of senior level executives, consultants, entrepreneurs, principals, assistant principals, senior directors, directors, deans, teachers, and a whole host of diverse roles that are impacting educational spaces across the country.
NFBLME LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
Debon Lewis
Program Coach
Founder/CEO, Transformative Growth Partners
Debon Lewis is an educational leader and social entrepreneur whose experiences include developing & coaching leaders, managing projects, facilitating training, and teaching both students and educators.
Kevin Torres
Associate Director, Business Management
Noble Story Group
In his three years working with Achievement First as Executive Assistant to the co-CEO and President and Special Projects Coordinator to the co-CEO, he's worked in a multitude of settings and conditions on self-directed and team projects.
Keith Brooks
Founder/Program Director
Partner, Noble Story Group
Keith is currently a partner at Noble Story Group. Prior to his current position, Keith served school communities for sixteen years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.
David Hardy Jr.
Program Coach
Managing Partner, Ed Elements
David Hardy Jr. is currently the Managing Partner at Ed Elements, an equity focused consulting firm based in California. Prior to, he was the Chief Executive Officer for Lorain City School District in Ohio
2021-2022 FELLOWS.
Scotty Jean Baptiste
Math Instructional Coach, Achievement First Navigator
Boston, MA
Joe Ellis
Math Instructional Coach, Achievement First Navigator
Newark, NJ
S'ken Evans
Assistant Principal, Ascend Public Charter Schools
Brooklyn, NY
James Frier
Principal, UP Academy Boston
Boston, MA
Jose Guerrero
Dean of School Culture, Achievement First
Brooklyn, NY
Kyle Keenan
Dean of Students, KIPP Houston
Houston, TX
Eugene Newsome
Principal, Democracy Prep
Bronx, NY
Yemi (Zacch)
Olorunnipa
Dean, KIPP NYC
Bronx, NY
Rob Santos
Manager of College Readiness, KIPP NYC
Bronx, NY
Danny Suriel
Director of Equity & Partnerships, UP Education Network
Boston, MA
Richard Tucker
Principal, Ascend Public Charter Schools
Brooklyn, NY
Jamie Downs
Principal, YES Prep
Houston, TX
Malcolm Eustache
Principal, Firstline Schools
New Orleans, LA
Jared Francis
Principal, DREAM Charter School
Harlem, NY
Timothy Garcia
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Ethical Fieldston School
Corbet Houston
Principal, Howard University Middle School
Washington, DC
Raymond Mullings
Assistant Principal, Washington
Latin Public Charter School
Washington, DC
Joshua Ocasio
Academic Dean, Achievement First
Brooklyn, NY
Michael Osikoya
Dean of Students & Families and Instructional Coach, Compass Rose Schools
San Antonio, TX
Shawn Saunders
3rd Grade Mentor Teacher, Ascend Public Charter Schools
Brooklyn, NY
Brandon Taylor
Director of Curriculum & Instruction, DREAM Charter School
Harlem, NY
2020-2021 FELLOWS.
Director, 10 Zip Codes Project
Long Island, NY
Mark Atkinson
Principal-in-Residence, KIPP Miami
Miami, FL
Courtney Bethel
Senior Director of Student Experience, Achievement First
Brooklyn, NY
Shamel Duncan
Principal, Village of Excellence Academy
Tampa, FL
Romaine Edwards
Senior Director of Family Engagement and External Relations, UP Education Network
Boston, NY
Adkeem Jackson
Principal, Ascend Public Charter Schools
Brooklyn, NY
Justin Moorman
Principal, Achievement First
Brooklyn, NY
Martin Palamore
Dean of School Culture, Brooklyn Lab Charter School
Brooklyn, NY
John Pettaway
Principal, Achievement First
Providence, RI
Donavan Tracy
Dean, UP Education Network
Boston, MA
Oginga Walters
Educator, KIPP NYC
Brooklyn, NY
Omari Wiltshire
Transition Counselor, KIPP College Prep
Bronx, NY
Jonathan Baez
Dean of Teaching and Learning, KIPP NYC
Bronx, NY
Eric Cato
Principal, Mastery Charter Schools
Philadelphia, PA
Le'Yondo Dunn
Dean of Students, KIPP NYC
Bronx, NY
Fernando Fiorentino
4th Grade Humanities Teacher, Achievement First/NYU M.A. ELPA Candidate
Brooklyn, NY
Dev Julien
Principal, Achievement First
Brooklyn, NY
Dumar Paden
Director of Student and Family Affairs, Public Prep
Stamford, CT
Steve Paul
Director, Achievement First
Miami, FL
Jerry Silva
Principal, Match Education
Boston, MA
Jacob Waites
Math Director/Navigator Math Coach, Achievement First Charter Network Accelerator
Brooklyn, NY
Rogers Williams
Co-Conspirators, Allies, Mentors.
Claude Trahan
Mentor
Executive and Lawyer
Formerly lead human resources officer and senior operations officer for large energy company. Expert in litigation, human resources, business management and strategic and business planning
Matt Taylor
Co-conspirator/Ally
Founder & CEO, Noble Story Group
Matt has coached or trained hundreds of education and non-profit leaders across the leadership pipeline, from CEOs to principals to teacher leaders.
Davon Russell
Mentor
President, WHEDco
Davon Russell is a lifelong educator and mentor who believes in the transformative power of early childhood and youth education and the arts. He currently serves as President at WHEDco, a South Bronx based non profit organization.
Doug McCurry
Co-conspirator/Ally
McCurry Consulting LLC
As the former co-CEO & Superintendent of Achievement First, Doug formed McCurry Consulting LLC in 2020 to support schools, charter management organizations, districts, and city support organizations in driving transformational change.