About Us

We are

Innovation For Equity

Innovation For Equity (IFE) is a network of changemakers – leaders in education, research, technology, and business – committed to disrupting the status quo and transforming the life outcomes of Black learners of all ages. Founded in 2018 by a cross-disciplinary group of Black senior leaders from across the education ecosystem, we seek to blend the moral vision of a civil rights organization with the innovation and urgency of Silicon Valley.

Our Mission

IFE connects and cultivates Black leaders across the education ecosystem to build collective power and advance innovative solutions, shaping a future where Black learners of all ages thrive.

The Problem

IFE’s approach is rooted in two main areas: supporting transformational leaders and scaling innovation.

We seek to increase the number of Black education leaders who have the competencies and capital – economic, social, intellectual – to not only stay in the ecosystem, but to thrive. Our Senior Fellows have impacted close to 4 million Black and Brown learners directly, and over 15 million indirectly.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, IFE has reached over 2,000 diverse leaders and professionals globally through the following initiatives:

Our Senior Leadership Fellowship brings together small cohorts of outstanding Black leaders from across the education ecosystem to build community and gain access to fiscal and social capital.
In-person and Virtual Summits for Black and other leaders across the education ecosystem to connect, collaborate, and disseminate thought leadership
IFE Awards celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of Black education leaders who have leveraged innovation to improve outcomes for Black learners
Policy and Practice-Driven Research that identifies, codifies and shares what drives growth and outcomes for Black learners and leaders

Our Staff

Angela N. Romans

Founding Executive Director Read More

Erin Adamson

Program Director Read More

Our Board of Directors

Our Founders

United by their passion for equity, our founding members came together to discuss vital issues, share their expertise, and plan a pathway to a better future for all learners. These leaders are experts in education, research, technology, and business.

Earl Adams, Jr.

Chief Counsel, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) · U.S. Department of Transportation

Phil Alphonse

Co-Founder and Senior Partner, The Vistria Group

Devonn Baker

President, Greater Boston Morehouse College Alumni Association (GBMCAA)

Andre Bennin

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Juvo Ventures

Lydia Carlis

Chief Program & People Officer, Acelero Learning

Michael Conner

Superintendent, Middletown Public Schools, CT

Jean Desravines

CEO, New Leaders

Charlene Dukes

President, Prince George’s Community College

Harold Edwards

SVP, Strategy and Solution Development, Scholastic Inc

Matthew Mugo Fields

General Manager, Supplemental and Intervention Solutions and President of Heinemann, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Benita Flucker

SVP, Enterprise Development Strategy, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Sancha Gray

Senior Vice President for Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives, Kean University

Jason Green

Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Learning Innovation Catalyst (LINC)

Lisa Herring

Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools

Henry Hipps

Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Dorsey E. Hopson

National K-12 Lead, Cigna

Jerry Johnson

SVP, Corporate Development, EnPro

Marc Johnson

Associate VP for Learner Equity at Southern New Hampshire University

Jeff Livingston

CEO, EdSolutions

Lillian Lowery

VP, Student & Teacher Assessment Educational Testing Service (deceased)

Bryant Marks

Founding Director and Principal Trainer, The National Training Institute on Race & Equity; Morehouse College Professor

Josh Powe

Co-Founder and CEO, LinkIt!

Maia Sharpley