two friends wanting
to help school leaders of color

The Pahara Fellowship requires Fellows to create a project that leaves an impact. Kim and Trish both had an affinity for schools started by leaders of color in black and brown communities that focused on the local students and families.

Fast-forward to 2015, they decided to create a collaborative to support single-site charter schools led by people of color so the schools could have the support they needed to foster success in their students. Having a loose framework in hand, they submitted their project idea at the last Fellowship session.

Kim and Trish live on opposite coasts (and they each have demanding full time jobs), so they committed to meeting via video conference every Sunday until the project was fully shaped. They used their networks to conduct research and crystallize the project. Right about that time the New Schools Venture Fund (NSVF) opened their Diverse Leaders Portfolio, and Kim and Trish submitted a proposal. NSVF provided the seed funding and resources for development of a business plan, and the NCC was registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

In 2016 the National Charter Collaborative (NCC) made its official debut at the National Charter Schools Conference by hosting a workshop. With additional investments, NCC was able to expand our reach and hire full time staff. In June 2018, the NCC hosted the first national convening of charter leaders of color — over 110 leaders attended. In November 2018, Lauren Bryant joined as NCC’s first director.

Executive Director League of Innovative Schools, Digital Promise

Former Board Chair, Arts and Technology Academy — Washington, DC

Former Board Member, BAEO

Spring 2013 Aspen-Pahara Cohort Fellow

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation

Appointed Member, Washington State Charter Commission

Appointed Member, Seattle Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Plan Oversight Committee

Spring 2013 Aspen-Pahara Cohort Fellow