Meet the 2026 Luminaries
Five leaders—
already building and ready for more.
Meet the 2026 Luminaries: five leaders and organizations building across the educational continuum, from early childhood through adulthood.
THE 2026 LUMINARIES
What does it look like to lead with a vision big enough to change what’s possible for Black students and communities?
We don't have to look far for the answer. The 2026 Luminaries are already showing us.
Across different communities and approaches, they are taking on some of education’s most persistent challenges while creating solutions grounded in a deep understanding of the people and places they serve.
LUMINARIES IN ACTION
Together, the 2026 Luminaries show the many places educational transformation happens: in classrooms, policy, community organizing, systems change, place-based models, national efforts, new infrastructure, and proven work ready to grow.
THE LUMINARY AWARD
$1M unrestricted paired with lifelong community.
Each leader and their organization will receive $1 million in unrestricted funding, three years of strategic support, and join a lifelong community through The 1954 Project Network.
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