Kenneth Gilliam, Jr

My entire life I have been on journey of self-discovery trying to understand how each of my intersecting identities shape the way I view the world and the leader I aspire to be. As a leader, I would describe myself as a storyteller. Through these stories, it allows me to communicate to others who I am, who I aspire to be, and where I am going in the future.

A story in particular, has had a tremendous impact on my journey thus far. My fourth grade teacher told my classmates and me, that even if we did not learn, she would get paid. Every day, we would sit in our chairs eager to learn, but were denied the opportunity. At the age of nine, I was not able to fully articulate the injustice that we experienced. However, at this point in my academic career, I have the tools and knowledge to name and call out the systemic issues of oppression that have impacted our educational experience. That pivotal moment in my life shaped my decision to pursue a career in public service and education.Through my life experiences, my personal short stories, I hope to inspire change for generations to come.