Weekend greetings, CharterFolk. A little over six years ago, when I was considering whether to make CharterFolk, I asked several friends and trusted advisors about whether it was needed, and if so, why. I remember former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu being among the most adamant that it was needed, and her reason was clear: because
Named in honor of CharterFolk friend and inspiration Brian Bennett, the annual Brian’s Voice Award recognizes the powerful storytelling and advocacy that define the charter school movement. Final-round voting is now open for the 2026 award winners.
Good day, CharterFolk. Today we are pleased to share a Contributor Column from Patricia Brantley, the CEO of Friendship Public Charter School, a network of fifteen campuses in Washington, DC. We provide a bio for Patricia below. Patricia A. Brantley, the CEO of Friendship Public Charter School, is an education reformer, charter school advocate and
CharterFolk discusses a GoFundMe for Javier, a leader in the charter school movement facing health issues. They also highlight an insightful chat with Pat Brantley, who recently joined the National Charter School Hall of Fame. Additionally, the piece addresses advocacy efforts and the ongoing voting for the Brian’s Voice Award, while showcasing charter schools’ growth across the nation.
This week, CharterFolk released a podcast with Pat Brantley, head of Friendship Public Charter Schools, celebrating her induction into the National Charter School Hall of Fame. The discussion covers her journey, the challenges faced by charter schools, community responsibility, and strategies for growth and accountability within the educational landscape.
Good day, CharterFolk. Recording an in-person WonkyFolk interview with Andy and Pat Brantley at Friendship gave me reason to be in DC this week. It happened to occur in the same week that Pat learned that she is among the new inductees to the National Charter School Hall of Fame! Talk about a great time
Named in honor of CharterFolk friend and inspiration Brian Bennett, the annual Brian’s Voice Award recognizes the powerful storytelling and advocacy that define the charter school movement.
Today, we are honored to profile Elimane Mbengue, the extraordinary Superintendent at Académie Lafayette Public Charter Schools in Kansas City, Missouri. No water. No electricity. Just more than 50 curious first-graders in a mud-hut classroom and a young teacher fulfilling his childhood dream. This is how Elimane Mbengue started his teaching career in a rural
Weekend greetings, CharterFolk. It’s been a week where many thank you’s have come our way – thank you’s for the content we have been sharing here at CharterFolk of late. Several new ones came in about the “Straight Up No Chaser” chat I had with Andrew Broy a few weeks back, as Folk are continuing
Good day, CharterFolk. Today we are pleased to share a Contributor Column from Debbie Veney, the Founder and CEO of Agency. We provide a bio for Debbie below. Debbie Veney is the founder and CEO of Agency, a firm that sits at the intersection of communications, advocacy, and parent power. She leads a team of communications