Article #4 in a Series >>>>> Dramatic Changes at the Minneapolis Public Schools

Shift in Leadership at the Minneapolis Public Schools Office of Black Student Achievement

 

The Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Office of Black Student Achievement began as the MPS Office of Black Male Achievement at the beginning of academic year 2014-2015 during the tenure of Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson.  Until this academic year of 2022-2023, the department has been lead by Michael Walker, who came to the director position after having had great success as Dean of Students at Roosevelt High School. 

That success did not occur in the Office of Black Student Achievement under Walker’s tenure.  Walker has now moved to associate superintendent for high schools and now has a chance to succeed again in implementing the academically substantive program of Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox.

Dena Luna is now the interim director of the Office of Balck Male Achievement, with a like opportunity to shift this office’s focus clearly upon an academically substantive education for African American youth at the Minneapolis Public Schools.

Current staff of the MPS Office of Black Student Achievement is as follows >>>>>

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MPS Office of Black Student Achievement Staff Members

Dena Luna, J.D., Interim Director

Nneka N. Abdullah, Queens Program Manager

Umar Rashid, MPA, Kings Program Manager

Brandon Royce-Diop, M. Ed., B.L.A.C.K.™ Curriculum Coach

Zander Tsadwa, Graduate Coach

Jamil Jackson, Classroom Coach

Richard Mgembe, Classroom Coach

Marques Walker, Classroom Coach