Chicago native Ulric Shannon understands the importance of a solid education.
Despite his parents not graduating from college, his father, who was from Alabama, and his mother, who was raised in the Chicago housing projects, instilled in their son the value of education.
Like many striving for more, their drive to raise an intellectually independent young man led him to pursue education as “a way out,” said Shannon.
Shannon, who holds three master’s degrees—a Master of Arts in Political Science, a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master in Business Administration—epitomizes the importance of creating his path to success. He also recognizes that each person must develop their unique path to success.
As the current Executive Director for the Surge Institute, Shannon leads an organization built by and for communities of color, designed to empower, educate, and elevate leaders in the education systems serving these communities. The Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and develop leaders of color who create transformative change for young people, their families, and broader communities.
Surge offers two signature programs: The Surge Fellowship and Surge Academy. These programs provide a best-in-class, cohort-based experience that unites, accelerates and empowers emerging leaders of color in education. They exemplify the movement to serve communities often overlooked due to a lack of leadership understanding their needs.
As a former fellow of Surge and now its Executive Director, Shannon is also heavily involved in several community organizations, advising them on best practices to address disparities in education. He understands that positive change is inevitable by intentionally seeking “his knowledge, skills, and experiences to make this world a better place.”
Reflecting on his educational achievements, career, and community commitment, Shannon emphasizes that “anyone from anywhere and any community can do these things. I am not a unicorn in this space!” He adds, “I tell the story to young Black men: If I can do this, you certainly can. I want you to see me, and I want you to beat me because I know that you can!”
Shannon exemplifies authentic leadership by modeling success through action, not just words.
Then and Now: Brown v. Board Impacts Youth Today
As a former educator, Shannon understands the inner workings of the school system. He witnessed firsthand the changes as a board member of several educational organizations.
When asked, “How did the Brown v. The Board of Education decision pave the way for subsequent civil rights legislation and activism, and how is that transformative today?”
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Shannon provided clear insights into both the positive impacts and the challenges: “The Brown v. Board of Education decision highlighted the segregation in American schools and other public spaces. While it paved the way for some integration and educational opportunities, it also met significant resistance and had unintended consequences, such as the loss of Black teachers and school closures. Seventy years later, we are still grappling with these effects in the form of achievement gaps, underfunded schools, and a lack of representation in educational leadership. These are issues we continue to face in Chicago and across the nation.”[/perfectpullquote]
Shannon added, “The decision led to the loss of more than 38,000 Black teachers, contributing to the current shortage of Black and Brown educators. This historical context explains why we see fewer teachers of color in classrooms today and why recruiting them remains challenging.
Our school systems in Chicago are still dealing with the impacts of that 1954 decision.” This serves as a reminder that “even with our greatest intention, the impact can be negative.”
Shannon highlighted the importance of representation and drew a parallel between desegregation efforts of the past and today’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The goal of DEI is to ensure equitable measures are implemented and respected.
The Brown v. Board of Education case sparked significant changes that forever altered the educational landscape in the United States, particularly in Chicago.
While progress has been made, Shannon stresses the ongoing need for representation. It is crucial to have educators and leaders of color who reflect the student population, understand their cultural backgrounds, and are committed to their success.
Having leaders of color involved in decision-making processes that impact education is imperative to each student’s educational experience. This ensures that the educational landscape in Chicago and other cities is inclusive and equitable, fostering an environment where all students can thrive.
You can check out the video interview below:
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