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Meet the Leader
Hiewet Senghor is the Founder and CEO of the Black Teacher Collaborative (BTC), a nonprofit organization that believes in the genius and beauty of Black children and the unique role of Black teachers in cultivating those gifts. BTC seeks to redefine the training and development of Black educators to fully maximize the unique benefits that emerge from SRILE classrooms — educational environments where both teachers and students share a racial identity, specifically where more than 65% of teachers share the same racial background as 85% or more of their students.
Hiewet previously helped advance the political and social conditions of Black people through her work in civil rights and education reform organizations including the NAACP, the Children's Defense Fund, and Teach For America. Hiewet received a bachelor's degree from Hampton University, and she completed graduate-level work in public administration at the University of Georgia. Hiewet grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where she continues to reside.
About the Organization
At Black Teacher Collaborative (BTC), we build great Black teachers for Black children. Black children thrive in schools where Black educators are developed and supported. BTC’s professional development programs equip Black educators with the tools, strategies, and community they need to excel. Leading to classrooms where Black children feel seen, valued, and equipped to succeed.
Meet All the Awardees
Each leader is transforming education across the United States. They're building new learning models, developing talent pipelines for the classroom and beyond, and creating pathways to economic power for Black students and communities.
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