Surge Institute

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Surge Institute

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Our Mission: To educate and develop leaders of color who create transformative change for young people, their families and our broader communities.

The Surge Fellowship is a leadership accelerator for education leaders of color in Chicago, founded by Carmita Semaan.

10/09/2026

We are so excited to welcome Nicole Baker Fulgham, PhD to the Surge Institute Board of Directors!

Nicole’s journey in education advocacy is deeply rooted in her early career as a public school teacher in Compton, California. Since then, she has been a relentless force for equity. She previously served on Teach For America’s C-suite, where she led teams dedicated to eliminating education inequality nationwide. She also founded and served as president of The Expectations Project, growing it into the nation’s largest network of 50,000 faith-motivated advocates who successfully drove education policy change at the local, state, and national levels.

Beyond her grassroots and policy leadership, Nicole is a powerhouse in the philanthropic sector. She is currently the founder of The Townsend Collaborative, a philanthropy network and advising practice that empowers African American philanthropists to effect systemic change. Her impressive executive background includes serving as Chief Impact Officer at the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, where she co-managed a $2.3 billion family foundation. Over her career, she has raised more than $60 million for nonprofits, designed philanthropic strategy for $110 million in grants, and managed an additional $900 million in grants.

Welcome to the Surge family, Nicole!

10/08/2026

It’s Latinx Heritage Month and today we’re shining light on Surge alum, Jorge Alaves (CHI26).

Jorge is a school counselor at Lindblom Math and Science Academy and shared a lot of wisdom with us about community, education equity and inspiration for the generation of Latinx leaders.

Jorge shared that he wants the next generation of Latinx leaders to know, “We are more capable than we realize. We carry a resiliency and fighting spirit from our families and ancestors. As a community, we will push forward and create positive change.”

Read Jorge’s full story at The Charge Newsletter site: https://newsletter.surgeinstitute.org/

10/07/2026

It’s National Principals Month! We want to highlight and share stories from the Black Principals Network (BPN)! Our amazing BPN community is filled with leaders who impact students every day and support the growth of our children!

Listen to TLC alum, Stacy Gray (TLC25), talk about her journey to principalship and how the TLC cohort positively impacted her leadership!

10/05/2026

Happy to the educators who inspire, nurture, and transform lives every day. 🍎✨

To celebrate, we’re offering special discounts on select items in the Surge Store! Show your appreciation for the educators in your life—or treat yourself to some Surge gear.

Shop now and celebrate the impact of teachers everywhere. 🧡

https://store.surgeinstitute.org/

10/01/2026

This National Principals Month, we’re celebrating the school leaders who show up every day with vision, courage, care and are working to create schools where students and educators can thrive.

Principals do more than lead schools. They shape culture, build community, develop people, and create the conditions for what’s possible.

At Surge, we believe in investing in leaders who are not only navigating today’s challenges, but imagining and building what education can become.

To every principal leading with purpose, challenging the status quo, and making a difference in your community: we see you, we celebrate you, and we’re grateful for your leadership.

Stay tuned for messages from the Black Principals Network’s TLC alumni and more special messages this month!

Happy National Principals Month! 🍎💙

09/25/2026

Surge is heading to Las Vegas for TFA’s 35th Anniversary Summit!

📅 October 2–3�
📍 Booth #300 | TFA35 | Las Vegas

Surge will be on the ground connecting with leaders, partners, alumni, and friends from across the education community. Stop by Booth #300 to connect with the Surge team and learn more about how we’re developing, elevating, and connecting education leaders across the country.

Learn more about Surge at TFA35: https://surgeinstitute.org/teach-for-america.html

09/24/2026

It’s Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) and Surge Institute joins the country in honoring the contributions, brilliance, and resilience of Latino/a/e people and culture. And we’re shining the light on our alumni, beginning with Amanda Paz (CHI18).

Amanda shared a lot of gems about what education equity looks like to her and how her Latine heritage shows up in her leadership.

"With time and wisdom, I recognized that everyone has their differences," Amanda reflects. She shared, "My Latine heritage impacts my leadership in that I try to create a sense of belonging wherever I go, to witness the unique gifts each of us brings to the table."

Read Amanda’s full story at The Charge Newsletter site: https://newsletter.surgeinstitute.org/blog-posts/you-dont-need-to-move-to-live-in-a-better-place---how-a-surge-alum-honors-her-community

09/21/2026

Surge alumni!!! The time has come again for our Surge Angels cohort!

Surge Angels is an early-stage entrepreneurship accelerator for education leaders of color who bring lived proximity to the systemic challenges facing their communities.

Are you a Surge alum and a founder, co-founder, or leader of an early-stage venture? Apply to get the tools you need to thrive as an entrepreneur!

Submit your application by October 23rd! Applications are open now! https://surgeinstitute.org/angels/

09/15/2026

This Latinx Heritage Month, we celebrate the leaders, communities, cultures, and stories that continue to shape our schools and transform our communities. ❤️💛💚

At Surge, we know that leadership is rooted in identity, lived experience, culture, and community. We honor the Latino/e/x leaders who bring their full selves to the work of transforming education and who are building a future where every student can thrive, belong, and see themselves reflected in the leaders around them.

This month, we celebrate your voices, your brilliance, your resilience, and your collective power.

Your leadership is shaping what education can become.

Happy Latinx Heritage Month from Surge! ✨

09/14/2026

The education system doesn’t need more leaders trained to work within the status quo.
It needs leaders with the vision, courage, community, and collective power to reimagine what’s possible.

That’s what Surge is building. A community of leaders of color who refuse to simply adapt to broken systems, and instead, come together to transform them.

Because the future of education won’t be built by leaders surviving the system as it exists.

It will be built by leaders powerful enough to change what it can become.

This is the work. This is the community. This is Surge. 🧡

Address

2045 W. Grand Avenue, Suite B, PMB 63441
Chicago, IL
60612

Website

http://www.surgeinstitute.org/

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