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Jaycee ColemanFounding Partner
A native of Seattle’s Central District, Jaycee is a Community Educator, Mentor, Teaching Artist, and Youth Advocate. Jaycee is the Youth Engagement Specialist serving the Yesler Terrace and High Point communities with Seattle Housing Authority. Jaycee is an entrepreneur, former owner of a vintage clothing store and art gallery. Read More
For the last decade, he’s partnered with Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Housing Authority as a RecTech Digital Equity Coordinator, Center Supervisor for the Youth Tutoring Program, and K-5 School Site Manager through Seattle University’s Youth Initiative to create safe spaces for scholars to thrive, using the arts, education, and entrepreneurship as a vehicle for Black liberation. He has extensive experience developing culturally responsive and affirming programming, connecting families to vital resources, and convening community-based organizations in the service of Black children and youth. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Education Administration at Seattle University and homeschooling his 4 children with his wife in West Seattle. Jaycee holds a BA from University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, with a major in Business Administration. |
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Dr. Ayanna GorePartner
Ayanna L. Gore was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. With a long line of baptist ministers, Sunday school teachers and teacher aides in her family, education has always been the focus despite the fact that she earned a college degree before any siblings or her parents... Read More
She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology of Crime and Justice from Loyola University—Chicago. She entered education after joining Teach For America as a high school science instructor and continued her work in education for the last 10 years. Her passions lie within mindset coaching, classroom management, curriculum/instructional development and diversity, equity and inclusion within the school system. She is completing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at DePaul University where she is studying the impacts of novice Black teachers within Urban Schools. She focuses on providing support to educators with a cultural competency lens. Her motto is, “Where teachers learn, students learn!” Currently, she is the School Director for CICS ChicagoQuest. Here, she led turnaround efforts in 2016 which successfully moved the school from off of the Chicago Public Schools warning list. In her free time, she enjoys teaching bootcamp fitness classes and coaching weight loss challenges. |
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Fa’Izah BradfordPartner
Fa’izah Bradford is an educator and experienced racial equity leader and facilitator. As a leader working across private, public, and non-profit sectors, she promotes, and guides systems change and mission fidelity through the evaluation, implementation, and execution of policies and procedures. She brings knowledge and perspective on building foundations and systems coherence within the K-12 education space. Read More
Fa’izah has extensive experience in authentic community engagement and coaching adults in the utility of decision-making, with the intent to expose and eliminate inequities, structural disparities, and the practice of antiracism in organizations and institutions. Her unique and generative ability to hold space for courageous and potentially divisive conversations, has often led to organizations having increased awareness and understanding, and greater conviction for goal alignment and strategy development. Fa’izah received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Northwest University and has a Master of Education degree from Washington State University. She also holds a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University; and is a current Nexus Fellow through the Equity Lab She currently works for Community Center for Education Results (CCER) as the Senior Director for Strategy for Racial Equity Impact and is fulfilling her elected term as School Board Director for Highline Public Schools. |
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Pranati KumarAdvisor
Pranati “Pranoo” Kumar (aka School Mom) is a career changer from medicine to education. She began her journey in youth advocacy while working for a nonprofit in Jacksonville, FL. It was there that she found her passion for equity in education and move to NYC to learn about school systems that were implementing innovative teaching and practice. Read More
She joined a fellowship geared at career changers and began working at Success Academy Charter Network in 2012. While here, she founded, taught, labsite and coached in grades PreK-4th Special Education (including ICT and 12-1-1) in the South Bronx (BX2) and Harlem (H1). Her love for Early Childhood Education led her to create SA’s founding PreK curriculum. She also led the Assistant Teacher Development Program while at H1 (with a 95% retention rate) and was a two-time recipient of the SA Teacher Excellence Award in the network. From there, she moved across the country in 2017 and continued to work with Success- creating and piloting their 2018 Summer Internship Program for college students, between their junior and senior years, who were interested in teaching and advocacy, yet not currently studying education. In 2018, she became a Founding Instructional Leader and Coach at Impact Public Schools- the first elementary charter in the Greater Seattle Area. While at Impact, she created a culturally relevant Kindergarten PBL curriculum that emphasized student identity and activism. She worked alongside Administration in creating a school design that ensured joyful rigor was at the forefront of learning. She also held the roles of New Teacher Coach, School Leadership Coach, and Kindergarten Grade Team Leader. During this time, Pranoo had the opportunity to serve as a panelist at The Gates |
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Dr. John ScottAdvisor
John Scott, PhD, is an adjunct faculty member in the Transformative Studies doctoral program. He is an academic, writer, researcher, and change maker who has been providing anti-racism, equity, and inclusion leadership and support to organizations and individuals for over 20 years. Read More
John’s academic inquiry includes but is not limited to: indigenous wisdom related to our human relationship with water and environment, narrative research, theater of the oppressed (Boal), racial equity, and cultural humility. Dr. Scott is currently the Chief Equity Officer with WA Charters Schools Association and before that, served for three years as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for Washington State with Seneca Family of Agencies. He has created and facilitated interdisciplinary trainings with corporations, non-profit organizations, colleges and educational systems, providing support surrounding issues of cultural humility, community leadership development, social justice issues, non-violent communication, and community building processes. Currently, John is the principal consultant and founder of Morningstar Consulting, where he provides DEI support, focused on climate and culture transformation, Beloved Community, and strategic planning and visioning. In addition to facilitating this dynamic work in the state of Washington, John has also created and led dynamic trainings internationally in South Africa, Egypt, Japan, and Canada. Through the process of socially conscious, playful inquiry, John provides participants with practical and engaging skills in making positive, sustainable changes in their lives, communities, and organizations. John holds a PhD in Transformative Studies and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies. John is passionate about long distance swimming, equity, and peach cobbler. |
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Baionne ColemanFounding Partner
Baionne Coleman, a pioneering force in education for over two decades, embodies unwavering dedication to educational equity and anti-racism. Her bold advocacy stands as a catalyst for transformative change within oppressive educational systems. As the CEO and superintendent of RVLA (Rainier Valley Leadership Academy), and a Founding Partner of the Global Majority Consortium alongside her husband, Jaycee Coleman, she leads with a vision centered on empowering Global Majority leaders, educators, families, and scholars to redefine educational justice. Baionne believes that a multifaceted ecosystem approach can break down systemic oppression. Read More
Baionne's profound impact on decolonizing education and promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) for marginalized communities is reflected in her illustrious career. She was pivotal in shaping anti-racist SEL curricula as a consultant with Committee for Children and Valor Compass. Her consultancy contributions to the University of Washington and her tenure as a graduate ambassador at Seattle University highlight her commitment to systemic change. Co-founding Impact Public Schools, Baionne's visionary leadership created an innovative social-emotional and educational model, fostering RVLA's transformation into Washington State's pioneering anti-racist, Black-led charter school. Her journey, marked by resilience and determination, showcases her academic achievements while balancing familial responsibilities, pursuing degrees in Political Science, Teaching, and Educational Administration. A sought-after speaker at esteemed conferences like ASCD, WA Charter Association, and the National Principals Conference, Baionne shares expertise on decolonizing systems and fostering anti-racism in educational settings. Her commitment extends to diverse panels and organizations, championing inclusive and equitable learning environments. Beyond her professional endeavors, Baionne finds fulfillment in DIY projects and culinary pursuits, cherishing moments with her family. Her courage extends beyond the professional sphere, evident in her fearless advocacy against systemic racism and oppressive structures within educational spaces. Her bravery in challenging dismissive tactics from supposed allies has sparked tangible change, inspiring others to follow suit. Baionne's courage reverberates through her school community, empowering young voices to lead discussions on critical issues like social and educational equity. Her leadership at RVLA cultivates an environment where students engage with national figures and advocate for increased representation and equitable funding in state charter schools. In the spirit of Maya Angelou's words, Baionne Coleman's courage is a transformative force, empowering and emboldening others. As a leader, a trailblazer, and a living embodiment of Black History Today, her unwavering commitment shapes a more just and equitable educational landscape for future generations. |
Partners
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