The Roots Initiative

Congratulations to our founder and CEO, Tanesha Peeples, and all Surge Fellowship leaders who will be recognized at Chicago on May 12th! 🎉✨👏🏾

Tanesha was selected by Surge Institute to receive the “Freedom Dreamer Award.”

Well deserved! We are so proud! ✊🏾🙌🏾🥂

“Teachers have moved societies.” A high school history teacher who helps students look inward to find their strengths has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.

He’s spent his entire 25-year career at the same Pennsylvania high school, where he teaches Advanced Placement classes in U.S. history and African American studies. Meet Leon Smith at the link in the comments.