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