This Black History Month, we spotlight a Surge alum who personifies excellence in educational advocacy.

The word surge is defined as a sudden, powerful, forward or upward movement. Ariel Johnson (CHI16) is an apt synonym.

As a teacher, litigator, legislative policy advocate, lobbyist, consultant, chief of staff, and now, an executive director, Ariel has a unique perspective on educational stakeholders and the policies that can best shape a quality education for all students.

Ariel currently serves as executive director of both the DC Charter School Alliance – an organization dedicated to ensuring all DC students can receive the great public education they deserve – and DC Charter School Action, its sister organization designed to increase education advocacy at the local and congressional levels. 

She is also the founder and president of Manor Strategies, a consulting firm that helps organizations build their advocacy priorities within state legislatures and guides elected leaders on building equitable, sustainable campaigns for public office.

Leading this work means fighting for policies that make a real difference, identifying and promoting candidates who will do more than offer lip service to vital issues, and ensuring that administrators, teachers, and students have all the resources they need to succeed.

This also means working with people who represent the entire spectrum of community interests.

“The beauty of my work is that I can bring together unlikely allies, people on both sides of the aisle, who want the best for their neighbors. We work to create better and do better.”

Ariel views educational pathways and solutions as fluid rather than linear. This sense of fluidity also extends to her career trajectory. She credits Surge Institute with helping her approach expanded roles with confidence, especially those that require tasks beyond her existing skill set or that might traditionally require a longer timeline for advancement.

“Surge was like, ‘Get over yourself! You can do this! You have a skill set. You have people around you. You are going to succeed.’ And I thought, ‘Okay!’”

Shortly after completing her Surge cohort experience, Ariel was promoted to director, a position that required her to implement a $1 million budget. Fast forward 10 years, and now, as an executive director, she manages a budget of more than $6 million, one she’s tripled since assuming her post.

Ariel also marvels at the camaraderie of Surge. After spending her whole career in Chicago, she moved to Washington, D.C in 2021. Upon arrival, she attended a Surge Happy Hour. “I didn’t know anyone there, but as soon as I mentioned Surge Chicago, they welcomed me with open arms. And I know I’ve got a village.”

As Ariel reflects on the importance of Black History Month, she is filled with a sense of pride and joy: “One thing I love about Black womanhood is that we’re going to find the goodness, and the silliness, and the joy, even in really hard times. I’m always going to show up and do excellent and amazing work, but I’m never going to take it so seriously that I forget to enjoy the gift of the world around me.”

“I know that I’m the dream of my ancestors. I know the pride of my mom, my godmother, and my aunts, and I’m gonna show up with the same sense of excellence as they have. This is not just my labor, it’s the labor of so many people who have come before me, and created opportunities for me to thrive.”

Ariel’s sense of culture also informs her leadership style.

“Yes, I expect you to get your work done. Yes, I’m going to hold you to a high standard. But most importantly, I’m going to care about you as a person. Joy can never be absent. Our work is too tough, and our world is too hard to come in every day and not feel good about who you are and what you do.”

We’re grateful for leaders like Ariel Johnson who are surging to new heights!