Closing Retreat Marks Milestone Moment as Surge Institute Celebrates 500 Alumni Nationwide

The energy was undeniable. The purpose was clear. The impact? Unmistakable.

The Leadership Collaborative 2025 cohort — The Transformative 22 — gathered in Chicago, IL, last week for their Closing Retreat and Graduation! These 22 school leaders represent the brilliance, resilience, and purpose that define the Black Principals Network.

Over three transformative days, these remarkable educators came together to close a chapter and to author a new one in their leadership journeys—one rooted in equity, community, and an unshakable commitment to Black and Brown students across America.

Day 1: Confronting History, Shaping the Future

The retreat opened with raw truth and courageous dialogue. Fellows engaged in a rich conversation around Jim Crow's Pink Slip alongside two-time Surge alum JuDonne Hemingway (CHI19 and TLC23), exploring the history, impact, and ongoing realities shaping education today.

The conversation didn't just examine the past—it challenged the present and illuminated the path forward. These leaders grappled with systemic barriers that continue to impact Black educators and students, transforming historical understanding into actionable leadership strategies.

Day 2: Community Solutions Take Center Stage

On Day 2, each group took the stage to present their Community Problem of Practice, showcasing months of dedication, collaboration, and commitment to creating lasting change in their schools and communities.

From addressing chronic absenteeism to reimagining family engagement, from cultivating culturally responsive curriculum to building teacher pipelines in underserved communities, The Transformative 22 didn't just identify problems. They designed solutions—real, community-centered, sustainable solutions that will ripple through their schools, their districts, and their cities for years to come.

500 Alumni. 8 States. One Unstoppable Movement.

Graduating on October 4th, this remarkable group officially joined the Surge Alumni community—carrying forward a powerful legacy of equity-centered leadership and community impact. With their graduation, The Surge Institute proudly celebrates a new milestone: reaching 500 alums nationwide, a testament to the strength and reach of this movement.

Representing 8 states, 14 cities, and the District of Columbia, The Transformative 22 reminds us that transformative leadership within BPN knows no bounds.

📍 Illinois 📍 DC 📍 New York 📍 Florida 📍 Pennsylvania 📍 Georgia 📍 California 📍 Tennessee

From the South Side of Chicago to South Florida, from Brooklyn to South Los Angeles—these leaders are positioned at the heart of communities that need them most. They're showing up. They're standing up. They're speaking out. They're building up.

Leading with Excellence, Courage, and Care

We are incredibly proud of this cohort—their heart, brilliance, and constant dedication to their students and communities.The Transformative 22 embodies what it means to lead with excellence, courage, and care.

They've spent months reflecting and acting, learning and unlearning, building community while dismantling barriers. They've challenged themselves, supported each other, and emerged ready to transform not just their schools but the entire landscape of educational leadership for Black and Brown children.

To The Transformative 22: You are the evidence. You are the answer. You are the change.

As you step into this next season of your leadership, know that you carry with you the hopes of 500 alumni, the trust of countless students, and the power of a movement that refuses to settle for anything less than liberation and excellence for every Black and Brown child.

Welcome to the Surge Alumni community. The work continues. The impact multiplies. The movement grows.

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