Baionne Coleman

Founding Partner

Baionne Coleman is the CEO and Principal of RVLA. She has been an educator for 20 years. Baionne is a community based leader who works with scholars and families to decolonize education systems and provide a safe and inviting environment for scholars and other educators.

Baionne believes anti-racist systems led by Global Majority leaders, educators, families, and scholars will begin to dismantle systems of oppression, closing the opportunity and wealth gaps, respectively. Baionne further believes social-emotional learning for adults is key to doing this work supporting Global Majority and abolitionist educators to support the families farthest from educational justice.

Baionne has worked with Committee for Children and Valor Compass, supporting the development of an anti-racist social-emotional curriculum. She has also consulted for the University of Washington on various projects and was a graduate ambassador for Seattle University. Baionne founded Impact Public Schools, creating their social-emotional and educational model with colleague Pranati Kumar. Baionne has supported the RVLA community by severing ties with a national charter management company to become the first anti-racist and Black-led charter school in Washington. 

Baionne attended the prestigious Howard University, completing her Freshman and Sophomore year, to return to Seattle to take care of her late mother and younger siblings, transferring to the University of Washington where she finished her degree. She then went on to earn two Master’s degrees while working full time and supporting her family. She holds certifications for teaching, special education, and administrative leadership with principal endorsements. Baionne has presented at numerous local, national, and international conferences, ASCD, WA Charter Association, AMLE, National Principals Conference. She has also been on multiple panels and supports other organizations and schools to decolonize their systems and start their path to becoming anti-racist.

Baionne enjoys all things DIY, cooking, and spending time with her husband, four children, and extended family.
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Baionne holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in Law, Society, Justice from University of Washington, a Master’s in Teaching from City University, and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Seattle University.