This September, Surge Academy proudly welcomed our largest Detroit cohort yet: 20 extraordinary leaders committed to reimagining education for young people and communities of color.

The 2026 cohort gathered for their Opening Retreat, a sacred space where they began the journey of discovering their authentic leadership and embracing identity as a source of strength. Guided by our very own Chicago 2019 alum and Detroit Program Director, Terrence Pruitt, fellows reflected on their personal stories, built connections across sectors, and began seeing their leadership identities as powerful tools for impact.

We were honored to have our Founder and CEO, Carmita Semaan, alongside members of our board of directors and executive team, join us to welcome this historic cohort into the Surge family. Carmita shared the Surge origin story, reminding us all of the importance of leading with vision, courage, and centering community.

Over the course of the retreat, fellows engaged in deep reflection and dialogue, learning from one another and modeling vulnerability as they stepped into their fellowship journey. They left the retreat with stronger bonds, a clearer sense of identity-aligned leadership, and momentum for the months ahead.

This cohort will spend the next six months leaning into Surge’s core leadership objectives—focusing inward, knowing the landscape, dreaming big, and making an impact. Their work will not only elevate their leadership but also create pathways to strengthen the educational ecosystem of Detroit and beyond.

We are excited to walk alongside them and can’t wait to share their growth, insights, and impact in the months to come.

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