Editor’s note: To be clear, the video below includes a pitch to support the Alliance for Education, an independent nonprofit that works alongside Seattle Public Schools to bring private funding, community partners and other resources into the district. Among other things, Alliance programs help meet students’ immediate needs, provide classroom resources, train and retain teachers and fund initiatives aimed at reducing inequities across Seattle schools. And, each year, its awards program recognizes Seattle Public Schools principals, teachers and staff for work that advances educational equity, supports students and strengthens school communities. Winners receive substantial grants for their schools, classrooms or professional development.
One recent winner is Keenen Allen Ladd who received the 2025 Philip B. Swain Excellence in Education Award and $3,000 grant for his work as the district’s Kingmakers program. Kingmakers is a program of Seattle Public Schools’ Office of African American Male Achievement, an initiative initially funded by the Alliance starting in 2019, an aims to help Black boys and teens thrive in school through mentoring, academic support, Black history and culture, leadership development and a strong sense of community.
We share the video, produced by the Alliance for Education, because it provides a look into a program we believe more parents should know about and hope more philanthropists should support. Click here to learn how you can support the Alliance. — Cheryl Murfin, managing editor
