The Leadership Academy started in 2003 with our groundbreaking, research-based Aspiring Principals Program, which trained close to 600 principals, most of them women and leaders of color, who have served in some of New York City’s schools most in need of support and change.

Seeing our initial success in New York City, school systems across the country began approaching us to help them develop leadership pipelines and strengthen leader practices.

Over the years, we have sharpened our focus on the “how” of dismantling systemic inequities in schools: culturally responsive leadership. We have supported thousands of leaders in more than 200 school systems and educational organizations across 37 states and Washington, D.C., and we continue to expand our reach. As we engage with so many diverse communities, our own work continuously strengthens while our mission remains constant: to develop great leaders committed to leading schools intentionally built to serve every child.

Vision: We envision a nation where every school and school system is intentionally built to ensure children of every race, ethnicity, language, and other identity characteristics have what they need to achieve academic, social, and emotional success. 

Mission: We build the capacity of educational leaders at every level of the system to disrupt systemic inequities and create the conditions necessary for all students to thrive.