Celebrating Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, we asked DC Public Charter School leaders to share a Black leader who inspires their work. Here’s what they had to say:
“Barbara Jordan inspires me as a school leader because she modeled how to lead with intellectual rigor, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice—even when occupying spaces not designed for her to thrive. At the Howard University Middle School, her legacy shapes how I use my voice and authority to advocate fiercely for equity, hold systems accountable, and ensure that every policy decision centers the dignity and potential of our students. Like Jordan, I strive to be a steady, principled presence—leading with integrity, clarity, and conviction while creating a school environment where students of color are affirmed, protected, and empowered, and where our staff are supported, trusted, and developed as courageous educators and leaders in service of our shared mission.”
“A Black leader from history who inspires my work is Marian Wright Edelman. She is the Founder of the Children's Defense Fund and has spent her entire career advocating for children. I first learned about her work when I was a student at Spelman College (where she is an alumna as well) and volunteered at the Edelman Early Learning Center. I have lived by her words for the last 25 years of my career: "If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it; you just do it one step at a time.""
“Cecile Middleton, the founder of Paul Public Charter Schools, inspires my work because she was a visionary who believed deeply in the power of community, high expectations, and educational equity long before those ideas were widely embraced. Her courage to build something enduring for children and families reminds me that leadership is about legacy, not recognition, and about doing what is right, even when it is hard.”
“My hero Dr. Benjamin E. Mays stands out to me as one of the most prolific leaders/educators of all time. His vision, work and tenacity to challenge the insurmountable odds and prevail has totally motivated my work as a lifelong educator. Dr. Mays was a great dreamer and so am I. One of his most famous quotes was:
“It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream”
The unguarded audacity to use his high intellectual abilities in the face of danger. Gives me the confidence that possibilities are always one step away. My motto is: "You can’t beat a person who is determined to win.""
