In August 2018, a group of leaders from across the education sector convened to consider one vital question: How might we collaborate to dramatically improve life outcomes for Black learners of all ages?
The creation of Innovation For Equity, Inc. (IFE) and its accompanying initiatives were the agreed upon answer to this question. In the years since, IFE has grown to become an essential and active community that is pacesetting and leading the way in responding to inequities in education by fostering innovation and developing transformational leaders. IFE is a 501c3 non-profit organization with support from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, The Vistria Group, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Chan Zukerberg Initiative, Walton Family Foundation and more.
Executive Director
Angela Romans is the founding Executive Director of Innovation For Equity. A 2019 inaugural IFE Leadership Fellow, Angela has spent over two decades as a leader in nonprofit and public sector organizations and brings deep experience in higher education, K–12, leadership development, and education access and reform. Intensely committed to positively impacting Black learners of all ages, the future is bright for IFE under the guidance of Angela.
Founders
United by their passion for equity, our founding members came together to discuss vital issues, share their expertise, and plan a pathway to a better future for all learners. These leaders are experts in education, research, technology, and business. Each brings a unique perspective and new ideas for how we can ensure all learners reach their full potential
ANDRE BENNIN
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Juvo Ventures
BENITA FLUCKER
SVP, Enterprise Development Strategy, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
BRYANT MARKS
Founding Director and Principal Trainer, The National Training Institute on Race & Equity; Morehouse College Professor
CHARLENE DUKES
President, Prince George’s Community College, MD
CURTIS VALENTINE
Deputy Director, Reinventing America’s Schools at Progressive Policy Institute; School Board Member of Prince George’s County Public Schools
DEVONN BAKER
President, Greater Boston Morehouse College Alumni Association
DORSEY E. HOPSON
National K-12 Lead, Cigna
EARL ADAMS JR.
Chief Counsel, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - US Department of Transportation
HAROLD EDWARDS
SVP, Strategy and Solution Development, Scholastic Inc
HENRY HIPPS
Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
JASON GREEN
Co-Founder, Learning Innovation Catalyst (LINC)
JEAN DESRAVINES
CEO, New Leaders; HMH Board of Directors
JEFF LIVINGSTON
CEO, EdSolutions
JERRY JOHNSON
SVP, Corporate Development, EnPro
JOSH POWE
CEO & Co-Founder, LinkIt!
JULIE WASHINGTON
Professor, University of California, Irvine
LILLIAN LOWERY
VP, Student & Teacher Assessment Educational Testing Service
LISA HERRING
Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools, GA
LYDIA CARLIS
Chief Program & People Officer, Acelero Learning
MAIA SHARPLEY
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Juvo Ventures
MARC JOHNSON
Associate Dean for Master’s Studies, Harvard Graduate School of Education
MARGO WRIGHT
CEO and Founder, Yenko
MATTHEW MUGO FIELDS
EVP and General Manager, Supplemental & Intervention Solutions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
MICHAEL CONNER
Superintendent, Middletown Public Schools, CT
PHIL ALPHONSE
Co-Founder and Sr. Partner at The Vistria Group
SANCHA GRAY
Senior Vice President for Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives, Kean University
SHARON JOHNSON SHIRLEY
Superintendent, Lake Ridge, IN
