During Black History Month, Surge Institute is honoring Surge Alumni who exemplify and embody the power, brilliance, and impact of Black leadership in education and beyond. Today, we lift up Will Collins.

Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. once remarked, “We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization.” A quick conversation with Will Collins (CHI17), and Interim CEO of Surge Institute, reveals someone who sees love not only as an avenue to transformation, but also as its main thoroughfare. In fact, Will’s personal leadership motto is ”Lead with love.” 

Will’s career spans two decades, the first decade including stints in both the C-suite and the classroom. While Will experienced success in both fields, something was still missing. In the corporate setting, there were too many instances where Will felt he was expected to veil or quiet whole parts of himself to ensure success and belonging. And while the classroom certainly touched his servant heart, he became disillusioned with the system’s resistance to change and the effects of its neglect on both students and teachers. 

In 2014, a cohort through Educational Pioneers introduced Will to the world of social impact and how organizations could shape change beyond the boardroom and classroom. And then, in 2017, when a colleague introduced Will to Surge, he didn’t just learn how to maneuver the levers of change; he was invited to dream of transforming whole systems. And best of all, he found the sense of community he’d been missing, one that offered strength, safety, and clarity of purpose. 

Will credits his experience with Surge in helping him to discern, reveal, and shape a love-led path.

“I didn’t have the language to express what I had been feeling in my brain and heart because I never felt like I had the safety and space to do it. I didn’t talk about these things outside of my home. But through Surge, I was surrounded by leaders who all shared lived experiences and a similar value system. Everybody in that room, everyone in my cohort, had a deep sense of responsibility for our community. This community affirmed for me that leadership rooted in love, authenticity, and a cultural grounding is NOT a liability. It’s actually a strength!”

In 2018, a year after completing his fellowship, Will joined Surge's executive leadership. He remains successful and productive. Surge enters its second decade, having expanded to over 500 Alumni nationwide. But Will’s success is now married with purpose and passion. Will says he leads as his whole self, inside out, applying the third-way values that were first modeled for him by Surge. “I get to lead Surge as someone who has been shaped by the very work we ask others to believe in.” 

Will also notes the importance of celebrating Black culture and his own personal culture, and the weaving of these experiences into his leadership style. 

“It is important to understand that my culture taught me how to lead before I ever even had a title. The call-and-response of the Black Church instilled a sense of collective responsibility. My culture taught me how to stay joyful in the midst of struggle, as well as the power of storytelling. It taught me that leadership isn't just about authority, but it’s about care and presence and showing up and accountability.” 

Will concludes, “The Surge Experience didn’t just offer me positional authority; it affirmed my moral authority.” What power! And what an injection of love! 

Surge Institute is proud to honor the achievements and contributions of alumni like Will Collins, who are leading with love.

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