Our Mission: To educate and develop leaders of color who create transformative change for young people, their families and our broader communities.
The Surge Fellowship is a leadership accelerator for education leaders of color in Chicago, founded by Carmita Semaan.
06/18/2026
Apply to Surge Detroit for the 2027 cohort today! The application closes June 21st at 11:59 PM ET!
If you’re ready to deepen your impact in Detroit’s education landscape, we’re ready for you.
🔗 Apply here: https://surgeinstitute.org/become-detroit-fellow/
06/17/2026
When Surge Leads, community leaders build solutions!
Based on our 2023 alumni survey, 70% of our fellows started community projects addressing critical issues of their community.
Surge is the space that puts impact in motion to better communities of color.
Our Detroit event is tomorrow night! Our DET25 alum, Brandy Walker, has a message!
Join us tomorrow at Owl and Oaks!
Register here: https://surgeinstitute.tfaforms.net/26
“To me, being a Surge leader means believing all students regardless of their zip code, deserve access to the best quality, when it comes to coaching.” -Ifunanya Odume (CHI24)
Ifunanya explains how she incorporates excellence in her work at Legacy Charter School and it being rooted in this core belief.
Watch the full short film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYgi8bPz0ps
06/12/2026
🧡 When Surge Leads, a community of leaders of color is built to remove systemic barriers for our communities.
Surge is what collective impact looks like: grounded in purpose, rooted in love and driven by the power of collective freedom.
06/12/2026
Apply to Surge Chicago for the 2027 cohort today! The application closes at 11:59 PM CT tonight!
If you’re ready to deepen your impact in Chicago’s education landscape, we’re ready for you.
�🔗 Apply here: https://surgeinstitute.org/become-a-fellow/
Listen to TLC alum, Nikki Grier (TLC25) speak about her experience at the Southern Regional Leadership Summit!
We’re bringing this experience to the East Coast in October! Join Black school leaders from across the East Coast at BPN’s Eastern Regional Leadership Summit in Greater Baltimore, October 9–10.
Register here: https://sites.google.com/surgeinstitute.org/eastern-rls/register-now
Detroit! Our Detroit event is almost here! Our DET26 alum, Jasmine Brooks, has a message!
Join us on June 17th at Owl and Oaks! Invite a youth serving leader to join.
Register here: https://surgeinstitute.tfaforms.net/26
06/10/2026
Last weekend, we celebrated the graduation of our PHILA26 cohort! The fellows pitched their freedom dreams and celebrated completing their fellowship experience.
Here's a recap of the amazing weekend! Welcome to Alumnihood, Volume 4!
Congratulations again to our brilliant leaders in Philly!
We are joining communities across the country in celebrating Pride Month and uplifting the leadership, experiences, and impact of LGBTQIA+ individuals!
Today, we spotlight Surge Alum Erik Martinez (OAK20), who is making a meaningful impact by working to create more affirming, inclusive, and empowering spaces for others. Erik currently serves as the Director of Behavioral & Mental Health Pathways for the Alameda County Office of Education.
Erik shared this powerful message about the importance of Pride Month and its purpose!
Read Erik’s full story at https://newsletter.surgeinstitute.org/blog-posts/we-will-not-go-into-silence-erik-martinez-on-pride-power-purpose