About

UEA relies on evidence-based approaches
to make education more equitable.

About

UEA relies on evidence-based approaches
to make education more equitable.

OUR MISSION

Building equity in education through representative leadership in and around school.

Our Vision

Our vision is for every student in San Francisco to have one Black male teacher before sixth grade.

Our Values

Excellence
Energy
Education

Our Team

Kai Mathews
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rachel Roberts
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Dr. John Edwards
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

Our History

Urban Ed Academy was founded as part of a strategy to inspire excitement for learning in young boys of color by matching them with mentors who looked like them.

Every child deserves to see themselves in the classroom.

From 2010 to 2016, SMART Saturdays introduced over 800 boys in San Francisco to STEM project-based learning experiences led by Black and Brown men. The strategy worked on Saturdays but our children deserve more — we need men of color to be full-time classroom teachers. To make this happen, we must address the intertwining challenges of teacher shortages, the lack of culturally responsive training, and the housing crisis. Since 2018, UEA has been investing in solutions that innovatively tackle these challenges.

Our History

Urban Ed Academy was founded as part of a strategy to inspire excitement for learning in young boys of color by matching them with mentors who looked like them.

Every child deserves to see themselves in the classroom.

From 2010 to 2016, SMART Saturdays introduced over 800 boys in San Francisco to STEM project-based learning experiences led by Black and Brown men. The strategy worked on Saturdays but our children deserve more — we need men of color to be full-time classroom teachers. To make this happen, we must address the intertwining challenges of teacher shortages, the lack of culturally responsive training, and the housing crisis. Since 2018, UEA has been investing in solutions that innovatively tackle these challenges.

Our Partners

Urban Ed Academy works with education institutions, nonprofits, foundations, and government to address systemic barriers to Black male teacher representation. Our partners contribute money, time, ideas, volunteer hours, encouragement and professional services, but most importantly, they share in Urban Ed Academy’s deep belief that bold, intersectional approaches are necessary to increase, support and retain Black male teachers.

Annual Reports

Looking to understand how our team puts to work the financial support from donors? Take a look at any of our annual reports or email us with questions at contact@urbanedacademy.org. The annual reports below are available for download.

Research Reports

Urban Ed Academy supports and encourages research efforts around teacher representation. Please email or email us at contact@urbanedacademy.org if you are interested in exploring UEA’s work in an academic or research setting. The research reports below are available for download.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter