Surge Institute names Chicago fellowship cohort for 2027

Surge Institute has selected 31 leaders for its 2027 Chicago Fellowship, the largest cohort in the program’s history. The group starts an opening retreat Oct. 15-17, 2026, as Chicago’s education and nonprofit leaders face budget pressure, staffing changes, policy shifts and rapid technological change.

Why it matters: - Surge Institute is expanding its Chicago pipeline of education leaders at a time when schools and community organizations are navigating budget pressure, staffing changes, shifting policy and rapid technological change. - The 2027 cohort is the largest Chicago group in Surge Institute history, signaling a broader investment in leadership development across the city’s education ecosystem. - The program is designed to build skills, relationships and collective power among leaders working across Chicago Public Schools, charter schools, higher education, workforce development, philanthropy, advocacy and community-based organizations.

What happened: - Surge Institute announced its 2027 Surge Fellowship Chicago cohort on Sept. 2, 2026. - The cohort includes 31 leaders from across Chicago and the broader Chicago area. - The fellows represent schools, districts, nonprofits, higher education, workforce development, philanthropy, advocacy and community organizations. - The program will begin with an opening retreat Oct. 15-17, 2026, and continue through July 2027.

The details: - The 2027 Fellowship Chicago includes intentional self-discovery, executive leadership skill development, community building and executive coaching. - The program concludes with Freedom Dream presentations. - Surge Institute said the fellowship is growing because Chicago needs a larger connected pipeline of leaders prepared to lead through disruption. - The organization said the cohort is meant to help leaders respond with courage, clarity and commitment to their communities. - The 31 fellows are: Aaron Smoot, Aerionna Martin-Redfield, Alleson Knox, Ashton Yurk, Brandi Whitfield-Lewis, Brianna Taylor, Carolina Estay, Charles Clark, Charles Q. Myers, Corinne Durrette, Daphanie Bibbs, Delisa Greene, Diana Diaz, Diana Xitlaly Lopez, Dr. Marlena Little, Jeremy Thornton, Jesus Galvan, Justin Hawkins, Karina Baird, Katrina Adams, LaShawn Holloway, Lindsay Leverson, Lorraine Nunez, Meagan Johnson, Morgan Moss, Myriam Durán, Natalie Summers, Nicole Kerr, Robert Wilson, Theresa Alanis and Tyler Tucker. - Their roles span organizations including Chicago Public Schools, Harry S. Truman College, The Mind Trust, The Chicago Public Education Fund, Saga Education, Academy for Local Leadership, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Catalyst Circle Rock, The Gray Matter Experience, Hansberry College Prep, Teach for America, Urban Warriors, Educators for Excellence, Northwestern University, Braven, STARR Community Services International, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Otis Elementary School, Great Lakes Academy, Noble Schools, COOP Careers and Noble Network of Charter Schools. - Surge Institute said the fellowship is supported by Chicago funders, investors and community partners. - Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 by Carmita Semaan. - The organization’s mission is to develop and elevate leaders of color who work for children, families and communities. - More information is available through Surge Institute’s website and social channels on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - Surge Institute is framing the fellowship as both a leadership program and a network-building strategy. - The emphasis on collective power suggests the organization sees Chicago’s education challenges as requiring cross-sector coordination, not isolated leadership. - The cohort’s mix of school, nonprofit, higher education and workforce roles points to a broad view of what shapes student outcomes in Chicago.

What's next: - The 2027 fellows will gather for the opening retreat in mid-October 2026. - Programming will run through July 2027. - Surge Fellowship Chicago said members of the public and media interested in the program should contact the organization directly.

The bottom line: - Surge Institute is scaling up its Chicago fellowship to prepare a larger, more connected group of leaders for a volatile education environment.