KIPP School Summit

Fierce Lionettes — Miami, FL

KIPP Tulsa 3D Drumline

KIPP Tulsa 3D Drumline kicked off the Opening Ceremony with an electrifying performance that set the stage for a 30th anniversary celebration. The mission of the KIPP Tulsa Music Program is to create a learning environment to provide the highest order of education in all major aspects of music, establish a foundation for lifelong learning through music, and encourage students to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.

KIPP West Philadelphia Orchestra and Band

Watch the KIPP West Philadelphia Orchestra and Band take the main stage at KSS! Their vibrant music and impressive talent showcase the rich artistry and dedication of these young musicians. The goal of the program is to create a K-8 youth orchestra in West Philadelphia and unique opportunities for students to showcase their talents and perform at a professional level. KIPP West has performed for the Philadelphia Eagles, 76ers, and at the Kimmel Center.

KIPP Austin Collegiate Dance Crew

Watch the KIPP Austin Collegiate (KAC) Dance Crew in action at KSS! This dance crew is a competitive performance group founded in 2010, and comprises of 10^th-12^th graders passionate about expressing themselves through rhythm and movement. In the 2023-24 school year, KAC Dance Crew competed in three cities and earned a Division I title, Best in Category Hip Hop, Best in Category Novelty, six Judges Awards, and a “Wow” Award.

Gamma Kappa Phi Boys Step Team — Atlanta, GA

The dynamic and powerful performance by KIPP Atlanta Collegiate’s Gamma Kappa Phi Boys Step Team left us all in awe, showcasing the remarkable skill and energy of these young performers. The team was founded in 2000 to form a group of young men who were examples to their school both on the step floor and in the classroom. Since then, they have won seven Georgia Steppers League State Championships as well as a National Championship in 2016.

Eddie Ramirez — Alum, Houston, TX

Eddie Ramirez is a dancer, choreographer, and creative who competed with KIPP Houston High School’s co-ed team KIPP Krew under the direction of Kinder Award winner Fendi Baggs. A recipient of the Award for Excellence in Performance and Choreography, Eddie continues his passion for the arts through community programming and teaching.

A talented artist, Eddie received the YES! Magazine Powerful Voice Essay award and was named KIPP Krew Co-Ed Varsity Male Dancer of the Year. He is passionate about leveraging business to benefit low-income communities and plans to pursue business and marketing in college to advance this mission.

Windy Indie — Alum, Chicago, IL

Windy Indie is a classically trained violinist from the West Side of Chicago whose versatility on the violin is rooted in her humble beginnings. Since picking up the violin as her principal instrument in 6th grade at KIPP Ascend Middle School, she has become passionate about music and encouraging others to believe in themselves.

Mashaud Strozier — Alum, Atlanta, GA

Mashaud Strozier is a KIPP Atlanta Collegiate alumnus and a performing member, board of director, and marketing manager of the Cascade Dream Team, a nonprofit roller skating team, where he spearheaded initiatives to promote roller skating culture, youth development, and financial literacy at the iconic Cascade Family Skating Rink.

KIPP Six Award

The KIPP Six award is given to staff who have completed their sixth year in school leadership. This year, we celebrate 15 school leaders and what they do every day to prepare KIPPsters to pursue the paths they choose.

Darby West — Denver, CO
Geoffrey Roy — Houston, TX
Sarah Kuwonu — NYC, NY
Monica Madrigal — Los Angeles, CA
Cory Washington — Chicago, IL
Daisy Salazar-Garza — Los Angeles, CA
Nathaniel Snyder — Atlanta, GA
Jarell Lee — Chicago, IL
Erin Huseby — Washington, DC
Susan Oba — San José, CA
Marc Gauthier — Nashville, TN
Tania Hernandez — Los Angeles, CA
La’Qoya Cooper — Dallas, TX
Tessa Catlett — Chicago, IL
Jamie Holley — Austin, TX

KIPP Twelve Award

The KIPP Twelve Award has been awarded to Joe Negron, co-founder and Principal at KIPP Beyond. Mr. Negron’s name is synonymous with excellence, commitment, and love.

Mr. Negron’s journey with KIPP started with a Fisher Fellowship in 2004, when he spent a year alongside Dave Levin at the original KIPP Academy in the South Bronx.  In 2005, Joe opened KIPP Infinity in Harlem. During his tenure as principal, KIPP Infinity was named the top performing public school in all of New York City.  Since then, Joe has returned to the classroom, become a principal manager of multiple schools, and founded yet another KIPP school: KIPP Beyond, where he still serves as Principal.

KIPP Forward Excellence in Counseling and Advising — Alexcia Gest Legacy Award

The KIPP Forward Excellence in Counseling and Advising — Alexcia Gest Legacy Award has been awarded to Jessica Gomes, Access and Persistence Manager on the KIPP Forward team at KIPP Kansas City.

Ms. Gomes went the extra mile for KIPP KC students by implementing the “KC Scholars Traditional Scholarship” application process. She prepared staff, parents, and students for the big lift, and 62% of KIPPsters who applied for the scholarship earned $50,000 each, totaling $850,000. The success of this program is a testament to her vision and dedication to this work. Ms. Gomes’ passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to students’ well-being embody the very essence of KIPP’s mission.

KIPP Forward Excellence in Leadership Award

The KIPP Forward Excellence in Leadership Award has been awarded to Dinah Gray, Director of College and Career Counseling on the KIPP Forward team at KIPP Texas. 

As a result of Ms. Gray’s leadership, KIPP Houston High School has earned ten QuestBridge Scholars, one Duke Pre-Review Scholar, one Posse Scholar, two Goldberg Scholars, and six Rales Scholars. More than a third of the Class of 2023 and 2024 exceeded ACT benchmarks, and she has consistently led KIPP seniors to 100% graduation rates. In the last year, she has shown her commitment to learning and growth by launching innovative wish list and application processes at KHHS and recommitted the school to college fair engagement. Ms. Gray is the best of the best in our KIPP Forward work.