SHAMOYIA GARDINER (ELLA) es la directora ejecutiva de Strong Schools Maryland. Shamoyia es una estadounidense de primera generación, graduada universitaria de primera generación de Miami, Florida. Debido en parte a sus identidades y experiencias como ex educadora, está determinada a que la vida se pase mejor trabajando en la intersección de la educación, la defensa y el desarrollo de la juventud. Las otras experiencias profesionales de Shamoyia incluyen la dirección de la cartera de polÃticas educativas en Advocates for Children and Youth, el análisis de polÃticas del espectro de la cuna a la carrera en Family League of Baltimore y el trabajo basado en proyectos con el Instituto de PolÃticas de Educación Superior, la Junta Estatal de DC de Educación, las Escuelas Públicas de Atlanta y el Sitio CÃvico de Atlanta de la Fundación Annie E. Casey.
Shamoyia ha elegido vivir sus valores como miembro de la junta de BOND (Building Our Nation's Daughters), miembro de la junta de The Intersection y como "mamá" coordinadora de A Revolutionary Summer. Shamoyia obtuvo su MaestrÃa en PolÃtica Educativa y Liderazgo de la American University y su licenciatura en Ciencias PolÃticas de la Universidad de Florida. Puede comunicarse con ella en shamoyia@strongschoolsmaryland.org.
McKENZIE FUNK (SHE/HER) es la pasante organizadora de verano de 2022 en Strong Schools Maryland . Creció en el área del condado de Baltimore y ahora asiste a la Universidad de Maryland como estudiante de último año. Actualmente se especializa en neurobiologÃa y fisiologÃa con especialización en español y liderazgo público a través del programa Gemstone Honors College, donde trabaja en un equipo de investigación de pregrado para completar su tesis sobre la inhibición de cánceres como el linfoma y se desempeña como vicepresidenta de estrategia del programa. alcance.
Fuera de su currÃculo académico, trabaja como escriba médica y asistente de enseñanza de biologÃa. Algunas cosas en las que está involucrada en el campus incluyen Terps for Change, la organización sin fines de lucro CORA (Combating Opioid Overdoses in Rural Areas) y el Tazón de Ética de la Universidad de Maryland - Equipo de Discurso y Debate. Es coordinadora de Terps for Change y voluntaria en escuelas en el área de Prince Georges, y es coordinadora de alcance estratégico para CORA, enfocándose en la comunicación y el compromiso con los miembros de la comunidad y los departamentos de salud en siete condados de Maryland. Su discurso y debate de la UMD analiza problemas del mundo real a través de una lente práctica, polÃtica y ética. En su tiempo libre, le gusta caminar y patinar. Puede comunicarse con ella en mckenzie@strongschoolsmaryland.org
JAMAL TURNER (HE/HIM) is the Strong Schools Maryland Network Organizer.
Born and raised in Baltimore City, Jamal is an advocate for educational equity, community revitalization and wealth building for youth and families in Maryland. As former Co-Chair of Baltimoreans for Educational Equity, Jamal worked with a dynamic group of volunteer advocates addressing youth insecurities, building coalitions that address the needs of youth, and holding legislators accountable for their decisions related to education and the youth experience.
Jamal is a proud graduate of Baltimore City College and Morgan State University and attributes his success to investment of time and energy from Baltimore City teachers. Currently, Jamal serves as Co-Chair of Frankford Community Association, on the Police Accountability Board for Baltimore City, and Steering Committee for Healing City Baltimore. Connect with him at jamal@strongschoolsmaryland.org
KALEA HARRIS (SHE/HER) is the Organizing Assistant at Strong Schools Maryland. At a young age, Kalea developed a passion for creating a better tomorrow. From early on, she fed that passion by working to organize biannual Red Cross Blood Drives through her local high school and serving on the Mental Health Emergency Fund's Mindful Ministries Collective program, where she facilitated meditations for girls of color in Baltimore and the surrounding areas.
Kalea also currently serves as a Development Coordinator for A Revolutionary Summer, an intensive, critical, reading and writing program for black girls and femmes in Baltimore. Kalea’s identity is curated by her lifelong experiences in both Baltimore City and County. Her experience in both public school systems drives her desire for educational equity and reform. She can be contacted at kalea@strongschoolsmaryland.org
EZEKIEL "EZE" JACKSON (HE/HIM) is a Field Organizer with Strong Schools. A Baltimore City native, he comes with nearly 20 years of experience as a Community & Political Organizer. He has worked on social justice issues such labor rights, healthcare affordability, housing and wages. In 2012 he served as the President of Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the coalition that lead Maryland to become the first state to pass the historic bill. He has dedicated the majority of his life to working on issues that affect working class people and communities of color. He has also been a veteran in Baltimore's arts & culture as a performing artist and founder of his record label EPIC FAM. He currently sits on the Mayor's Arts & Culture Committee.
As a former student in both Baltimore City and Howard County, he brings a serious passion to advocating for better education for all Marylanders. He runs distribution and outreach for the local non profit newspaper Baltimore Beat and is the proud father of 3 daughters. Connect with him at eze@strongschoolsmaryland.org
KENZIE FUNK (SHE/HER) is the Policy Associate at Strong Schools Maryland. She was first connected to Strong Schools Maryland as an Organizing Intern, through the Pizzigati Children's Advocacy Fellowship at the University of Maryland. There, she earned her bachelor's degree in Neurobiology and Physiology, with a minor in Public Leadership. Her professional journey focused on healthcare and education, with experiences as a medical assistant and as a member of Terps for Change under her belt. Those experiences helped Kenzie realize that she wanted to advocate for change within these systems.
A lifelong resident of Baltimore County, Kenzie is excited to be working with the Strong Schools Maryland team, again advocating for a world-class school system and empowering community voices--all within the place she calls home! Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and exploring everything Maryland has to offer. She can be contacted at kenzie@strongschoolsmaryland.org
DARREN FRANKLIN (HE/HIM) is a Field Organizer with Strong Schools Maryland. Originally from Fort Washington, Maryland, Darren moved to the Charm City (Baltimore, MD), in 2004 to study Business Administration at the Morgan State University. While there, Darren co-founded and chaired the Board of Advisement Retention and Recruitment (B.O.A.R.D), which focused on increasing student retention rates at Morgan. In 2006, Darren began mentoring young adults on the importance of real estate, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Darren partnered with local nonprofit organizations and public schools to forge connections with his mentees; he is still actively mentoring today.
Darren is a strong advocate for youth development, educational equity and community empowerment. Darren is a realtor, artist and Dog Dad who enjoys traveling, eating different cuisines and listening to music. Connect with him at darren@strongschoolsmaryland.org