We know big ideas start small. With time, investment, and support, these ideas have the power to transform communities. CityBridge invests in entrepreneurs, education leaders, and innovators with bold solutions that have the promise of creating a more equitable future.

We are thrilled to announce our newest cohort of Ventures Residents for 2022-2023! Each of these leaders has a deep commitment to advancing equity, proven leadership skills, and a clear vision to launch an education venture in DC.

In reflecting on my coaching this year, I learned the power of embracing obstacles as opportunities. The CityBridge team was undeniably disappointed when CapX’s charter application was denied due to concerns about demand, but we were so incredibly proud of the work that Lanette, Alison, and the entire CapX team accomplished over the years. I knew I had to play a slightly different role in coaching the CapX team through this transition point.

At CityBridge Education, we believe that coaching is a foundational part of the Incubator experience.

Coach Kim Beck sat down with three of our past Design Fellows—Rohini Ramnath from DC Bilingual; Andre Zarate from Sojourner Truth Montessori; and Michele Gray from The Social Justice School—to learn about the role coaching played in their CityBridge experience and in their entrepreneurial journey.

When I started working with Felicia Owo-Grant and Ayinde Spradley in fall 2021, they wanted to go big—their ultimate aim was to build an in-house professional learning institute to support educators across the entire 16-school network of Friendship Public Charter Schools.

My desire in coaching teams is to help them make big, transformational changes, so it feels counterintuitive, maybe even wrong, for me to look at seasoned leaders like Owo-Grant and Spradley and say, “I want you to start small.” But in Design Fellowship, starting small is one of many strategies to help teams learn about and reshape complex challenges in public education.

The last two program years have laid bare the acute impact of the deeply embedded inequities in our systems. However, in the midst of the increasing levels of frustration and disillusionment, we have found local inspiration.

We have also spent the last two years refining the strategies that will help us deliver programming. This month, we’ve decided to pause and reflect on what we’ve learned in pursuit of these goals and share them with you.