Donterrio Marzett’s Journey to Superintendent of KIPP Tulsa Schools

TULSA, Okla. — Donterrio Marzett had many career interests as a child; with his interest in music, lawyers, and doctors, he could have grown up to be the next Quincy Jones, Damario Solomon-Simmons, Esq., or world-renowned doctor to advance medicine — before discovering his true calling: education.

In middle school, he wanted to be the first Black president of the United States. “Barack beat me to that, so it changed direction,” he said.

His desire to become the first Black president led him to become a criminal justice major during his first year at Langston University. Despite majoring in criminal justice, he never had a deep passion for becoming a lawyer. He just knew he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.

“I always knew that I wanted to make a change or do something to impact the community, families, and students, or whatever,” he told The Black Wall Street Times.

A light bulb came in high school when he was a youth camp counselor in a Fellowship of Christan Athletes (FCA) summer program. Working as a camp counselor during that time enshrined his long-term desire to work with them.

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