Gratitude for a School Community’s First Decade: Celebrating Brooklyn LAB’s Scholars, Educators, and Families at Tonight’s Gala

This evening, I’m on my way to Brooklyn LAB Charter Schools’ 10th-anniversary gala alongside Erin Mote, Sheryl Gómez, Tricia Forrest, Cecile Kidd, Shawn Harris, and Mickey Revenaugh. While I stepped away from my role at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, tonight is about reflecting on the incredible journey that began in 2012 when we first started mobilizing our community and working together to design a school model where all scholars learn and thrive.

As I prepare to celebrate, I’m filled with deep gratitude—for the families, scholars, educators, staff, supporters, and partners who have been at the heart of this mission. Together, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of learning, marked by student successes that range from academic achievements to personal growth and college success.

This evening isn’t just about looking back; it’s a tribute to the unwavering commitment to educational justice. At Brooklyn LAB, every scholar matters, every day. Tonight, it’s about recognizing those who have fueled this vision and those who continue to guide it forward—like Cecile Kidd, Mickey Revenaugh, and Shawn Harris, whose leadership and passion are being honored at the Gala.

The gala isn’t just a celebration of the past; it’s an invitation to shape the future. I’m excited for what’s next: new opportunities for student success, innovative learning. 

As we gather tonight, we honor the community that has built Brooklyn LAB and the promise of what’s yet to come. Join me in celebrating this milestone and looking forward to a bright future. Check out the comments below to learn more about the remarkable outcomes, achievements, and stories of the scholars making this work so meaningful.

Here's to the next decade of learning, growth, and impact!

Shout Outs

Many colleagues are not on LinkedIn. But, I would be remiss not to shout out:

Founding Team and Founding Families

Thank you to the founding team and founding families, including: Erin Mote , Kate Cochran , Jonathan McIntosh , Joseph (Joey) Webb , Cecile Kidd , Jonathan Flynn , Anisa Phillip , Chuck Jones , Sarah Pactor , Miguel Rivera-Rios , Ryan McCabe , Rhonda Whitley , Bb Ntsakey , Jamica Craig, M.Ed. , Elizabeth Weston, Venecia Valles-Cox , Steven Lofton M.Ed , Lindsay Malanga , Sheryl Gómez , Melissa Poux , Gayla Thompson-Castillo , Will Packer , Kelly King , James Sayer , Greg Rodriguez, Janine S. , Shawn Harris , Dr. Garland L. Thomas-McDavid , Darnell Thomas, Minelva Best , Miaad Osman , Leyde St Leger , Elaine E. , Myra Milam , Rosanna Castro , Kathryn Lightner , Jennifer Covell, Grace Jamieson ,

Educators

Thank you to educators who developed and expanded the charge and mission: Ashley Mitchell, Ed.D. , Iris Perez , Jeremiah Logan , Thomas O'Grady , Everick Simmons , Damion Frye , Qiuyue (Gloria) Xu , Symiara Jenkins , Jacob Xavier , Nicholas Fiori , Leslie Martinez , Iqra Hussain , Courtney Granger, LMSW , Mike McKee , Elisha Dixon , Hasnae Qoraichi , Irina Kagan , Erica Pajerowski , Brian Elberg , Abigail Archbold , MaryAnn Reinhart , Ahriana Williford , Kayla Plummer , Brandon Richter ,

Board Members

Thank you to Board members who helped found and launch several charters and a support organization: Mickey Revenaugh , Tokumbo Shobowale, Andy Epstein, Adrien Siegfried, Nadine Augusta, Sanda Balaban, Walter Loughlin , Gary W. , Corey Scholes , Mike Baur , Theodore Quinn , Sujata Rajpurohit , Jayne Rosefield , Jeff Wetzler , Martin Elling , Michael Preston , Rosalyn Curato ,

EquitybyDesign & EALA

Thank you for those that supported our #EquitybyDesign.org work, including the launch of the Educating All Learners Alliance : Lindsay Kruse , Lindsay Jones , Charlie Doolittle , Heather Graham , Brooke Allen , Pamela Cantor MD , Lisa Thomas, Ed.D , Steven Hodas , David Flink , Christina Cipriano , Natasha Trivers , Jim Balfanz , Kim Smith , Dena Simmons , Gabrielle Rappolt-Schlichtmann ,

Inspirations and Fellow Travelers

Thank you to our inspiring colleagues from sister schools, including: Jason Bransford , Alec Resnick , Lester Long , Ryan Hill , Erin Whalen , Jake Firman , Adam Carter, Ed.D. , Elana Karopkin-Gold , Recy Benjamin Dunn , Cody Grindle , Jonathan Santos Silva , Dr. Nicole Assisi , Sara Cotner , Lydia Dobyns , Stacy Kane , Scott Bess , Keeanna Warren, Ph.D. , Nikki Wallace , Susan Enfield , Jin-Soo Huh , Norman Atkins , Max Koltuv , Dacia Toll , Todd Dickson , Jennifer Moses , Erin Slezak Scire , Mary Moss ,

Story Tellers

Thanks to colleagues who kicked the tires and told the story of what they found: Beth Fertig , Rebecca Midles , Tom Vander Ark , Thomas Arnett , Edward Montalvo , Bill Clarke , David Frank , Caroline Vander Ark , Julia Freeland Fisher , Carolyn Jones , Carri Schneider ,

Edmund W. Gordon

Supported the efforts for the Edmund W. Gordon Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School to honor Professor Edmund Gordon , E. Wyatt Gordon , Geoffrey Canada ,

The Future of Teaching and Learning

Thanks to our Next Generation Teaching and Learning kindred spirits: Rose Colby , Carlos R. Moreno , Britt Neuhaus , Elina Alayeva , Grace Belfiore , Brent Maddin , Bob Wise , Kimberly Smith , Karen Cator , Vic Vuchic , Sara Schapiro , Bryan Hassel , Chip Linehan , Laurence Holt , Karen J. Pittman , Brigid Ahern , Dewayne J. McClary ,

Supportive Colleagues

Thanks to colleagues who provided excellent professional service and support: Gus Saliba, Paul O'Neill, Joe Herrera, Nancy Gannon, Megan Ohlssen, Laura Scully , Susan Briggs , Anthony Kiiru , Kristin Levine , Kristen Lambertz-Berndt , Cliff S. Schneider , Jaime White , Cheryl Dobbertin , Noah Heller , Leslie Lynn , Ryan Holmes , Ethan Covey , David Samuels , Matthew Brunell , Brad Bernatek , Eva Dienel ,

Thank you to thought partners and collaborators: Ajoy Vase, David Stevenson, Jack Chorowsky, Sonia C. Park, Lewis Leiboh, Benjamin Esner, Greg Sommers,

Investors

Thank you to investors who made quality growth and life-trajectory changing impact for scholars possible: LaVerne Srinivasan , Kathy Hamel , Ian Connell , @Laura Hamilton Barr foundation, Sara Allan , Karen Johnson , Eric Chan , Scott Benson , Arielle Rittvo Kinder , Alex Hernandez , Andrew Calkins , Anand Kesavan , Antony Bugg-Levine , Elena Sanina , Stacey Childress , Frances Messano ,

To our partners at the XQ Institute : Anne Mackinnon , Mary Ryerse , Sean McClung , Macke Raymond , May Mark , Russlynn Ali , Michele Cahill, Michele Cahill,