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Our Team

Black Wildflowers Fund is led by experienced Black education leaders who have worked alongside Teacher Leaders who successfully designed and launched a Wildflower School. They are raising awareness about racial and economic disparities that create barriers for Black education entrepreneurs to thrive.

Maia Blankenship

Maia Blankenship is an accomplished education entrepreneur and advocate for equity leading Wildflower’s Charter Pathways and Replication Circle and serving as the Co-CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund. Maia galvanized a board and founding group of education advocates to obtain charter approval and launched DC Wildflower Public Charter School in 2021. This unique charter model will grow to serve over 200 students through intentionally small liberatory Montessori microschools over the next four years. Maia is also an advisor and connector to organizations actively working to dismantle systemic racism and oppression, including serving as Co-Chair of The Equity Lab. In 2020, she was recognized in the inaugural cohort of Black Voices for Black Justice Fund. In 2023 she was named as an NBCDI Public Voices Fellow for Racial Justice in Early Childhood Education with the OpEd project. She is a Ward 5 D.C. resident and the proud mother of an independent and adventurous seven year old who inspires her daily.

Co-CEO

Dr. Erika L. McDowell

Dr. Erika L. McDowell is a former NJ governor’s award recipient and honors graduate of Howard University and New York University. Erika currently leads Wildflower School’s growth and partnerships in New Jersey and is an Equity Steward for the organization. She earned her EdD from Drexel University in Educational Leadership and Management, in May 2020. Dr. McDowell has received the Association for Positive Behavior Support’s 2020 E.G. “Ted” Carr Early Career Practitioner Award and has been elected to the APBS Board of Directors for the 2021-2024 term, serving in the inaugural Racial and Ethnic Diversity Seat. Most recently, Erika was honored as one of Drexel’s 40 under 40 in 2022. She has served as an Executive Director of Professional Development and Director of PBIS/Youth Court for The School District of Philadelphia. Other positions previously held include assistant principal and teacher. Her in-depth experience includes restorative practices, equity, positive behavioral support, conflict resolution, classroom management, coaching, leadership development, and behavioral data support. In June 2022, she began her appointment as a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and policy at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Dr. McDowell continues to be committed to nurturing the minds and gifts of school leaders, teachers, and youth nationwide.

Co-CEO

Simone Webster

Simone Webster is passionate about solving complex challenges with creativity and pragmatism. She is proud to have developed the implementation of an equitable grantmaking process to support Black teacher leaders launch microschools through Black Wildflowers Fund. With over six years of experience in the philanthropic sector, she is committed to creating transformative change by removing barriers to resources. Simone earned a BA in Sociology from New York University and an M.P.A. from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs and began her career as a mathematics teacher which influences much of her work today. As a product of one of the largest public-school systems and a daughter of a teacher, Simone believes deeply in the power of education.

Chief Program Officer

Maia and Dr. Erika discuss their vision behind the fund.

Founding Board of Directors

Our Board is made up of visionary leaders, organizers, and advocates who share a deep commitment to educational justice and community-rooted leadership. With a wealth of experience across education, philanthropy, and social impact, they guide the Black Wildflowers Fund with strategic insight and an unwavering belief in our mission.

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Melanie Dukes

Melanie is a visionary education and technology leader dedicated to creating equitable learning opportunities through innovation. As the founder of EdVenture Lab, Melanie leverages her experience in education technology, philanthropy, and strategic leadership to drive transformative change in education. Melanie earned an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology and is pursuing an M.A. in Learning Technology and Experience Design at NYU. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and three girls.

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole is an entrepreneur and attorney who empowers communities and fellow entrepreneurs. As Directing Attorney at Homebase, she manages federal funding for homelessness services and runs Trusted Trademarks and Contracts, a firm that protects beauty entrepreneurs' brands. Nicole earned her undergraduate and Master of Social Work degrees from Howard University and her law degree from the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. Outside of work, she enjoys mama-daughter road trips, camping, Pilates, and falling asleep while binge-watching shows with her husband.

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Alexander Brown, Jr.

Alex is dedicated to accelerating organizational change and equipping communities for a rapidly evolving, post-pandemic world. As the founder of Monroe Street Management, LLC, he leverages his background in education, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven solutions to support organizations define their needs and implement autonomous strategies to deliver real results for stakeholders. Prior to Monroe Street Management, Alex founded Lee Montessori – East End, a public charter school in Southeast Washington, DC. A graduate of Old Dominion University, where he met his wife, Betselot, Alex is a proud father of three—Kayla, Noah, and Negus.

Join our liberatory education movement and invest in the limitless potential of Black children and Black leaders.

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