The African American Excellence in Education Awards has taken place for the last five years. It is an opportunity to lift up Black educators who exude excellence. This year, the awards ceremony took place during the InnoPower Minority Business Week. Over 300 Black educators, both certified and classified, have been honored over the last five years. The educators serve in a range of education organizations such as traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, and universities.
Award winners will receive a congressional certificate of service, a scholarship from Marian University, and receive recognition in the Indianapolis Recorder newspaper.
Below is a list of this year’s winners.
African American Excellence in Education Award – 2021 Leadership Award
Andrea Neely, UNCF Regional Development Director
African American Excellence in Education Award – 2021 Legacy Award
Dr. Nathaniel Jones, MSD of Pike Township Former Superintendent
African American Excellence in Education Award
Femi Akinribade – Brownsburg Community Schools
Terri Alexander-Matthews – MSD of Wayne Township
Destyni Anderson – Purdue Polytechnic High School
Tierney Anderson – MSD of Lawrence Township
Theodore Brannum – URBAN ACT Academy
Sedalia Brown – Christel House Academy
Stacy Coleman – Indianapolis Public Schools
Angelica Cox – Thrival Indy Academy
Ronald Craig, Jr. – URBAN ACT Academy
Adranae Curry – Paramount Schools of Excellence
Ashley Ford – MSD of Pike Township
Terri Golder – MSD of Washington Township
Takeyia Grundy – Christel House Academy
Michael Harris – Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Lisa Harton – MSD of Washington Township
LaShonda Hutchison – MSD of Warren Township
Stephen Jackson – MSD of Wayne Township
Alicia Jones – Indiana Math and Science Academy
Kristy Jones – Promise Prep
Adrainne Kelley-Wright – MSD of Pike Township
Clete Ladd – Martin University
Reggie Lockeet – Victory College Prep
Moshfilay McClain-Anderson – Indianapolis Public Schools
Francita McMichel – Marian University
Karmesha Molton – Avon Community School Corporation
Monteka Pegues – MSD of Warren Township
Milanda Penn – Christel House Academy
Telesha Pitts – Invent Learning Hub
Mary Preston – Indianapolis Public Schools
Kelly Reese-Altman – The Oaks Academy
Jagga Rent – Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Eric Saunders – Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis
Khaleigha Scott – Tindley Summit Academy
Dale Sharpe III – Brownsburg Community Schools
Jean Smith – Cathedral High School
Valerie Stovall – Perry Township Schools
Mari A. Swayne – MSD of Lawrence Township
Michael Tolliver – Paramount Cottage Home
April Tramil – Indianapolis Public Schools
Lakeisha Williams – Ivy Tech Community College
Natalie Woods – Matchbook Learning