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OUR MISSION:

Recruit, Prepare, Place and Retain Black male teachers in elementary schools.

OUR VISION:

Is that all students have the opportunity to attend schools staffed with racially and culturally diverse teachers and leaders, reflecting the students' race, ethnicity, and cultures, thereby creating an environment that affirms students for who they are. Black Men Teach creates the environment and conditions where teachers can thrive, because our children’s schooling experience will never be complete without them.

BMT STORIES

Get to know our inspiring staff

Kimberly Jones exemplifies the heart of the Black Men Teach mission through their commitment to empowering educators, students, and uplifting the community. Their work reflects the values of integrity, representation, and purpose that define who we are and what we stand for.

Read My Story

Meet the Team

Kimberly

Jones

Recruitment Manager

Kimberly Jones is an education leader, community advocate, and relationship-builder whose work is grounded in a deep commitment to education, faith, community, and the advancement of Black people. A native of North Minneapolis with deeply rooted Southern heritage, Kimberly draws from both traditions to inform a leadership philosophy centered on resilience, service, cultural pride, and the belief that education has the power to transform individuals, families, and communities.

‍

Kimberly began her career in education as a teacher and later served as a Dean of Students, experiences that gave her a firsthand understanding of the profound influence educators can have on the academic, social, and personal development of young people.

‍

A proud graduate of Jackson State University, Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Arts before continuing her educational journey at Fielding Graduate University, where she earned a Master of Education and is currently completing her Doctor of Education. Her continued pursuit of doctoral study reflects her belief that learning is both a lifelong responsibility and a powerful instrument for social change.

‍

As Manager of Recruitment with Black Men Teach, Kimberly brings together her experience in education, recruitment, community engagement, and relationship development to help expand the presence and influence of Black men in education. She understands recruitment as more than filling positions—it is about cultivating relationships, identifying talent, building trust, and creating pathways for Black men to see themselves as educators, leaders, mentors, and changemakers.

‍

Kimberly takes great pride in the contributions she has made within her community and in creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, connected, and empowered. She continues this work by serving on several community boards. Her work has included community organizing, arts and cultural initiatives, youth engagement, and efforts designed to strengthen the connection between people and the institutions that serve them.

‍

At the heart of Kimberly’s work is a simple but deeply held conviction: Representation matters, relationships matter, and who is given the opportunity to lead matters.

‍

She is passionate about creating greater access and opportunity for Black people while helping build communities where Black excellence is not only recognized but cultivated and sustained.

‍

Rooted in faith, grounded in community, and committed to education, Kimberly continues to use her voice, experience, and leadership to help create pathways for the next generation—particularly Black boys and men—to envision possibilities beyond what they have been told is possible.

6 QUESTIONS

WITH

Kimberly

1

How would you describe what you do?

As Recruitment Manager for BMT I lead the recruitment process from first contact through process, acceptance/enrollment coordination, and handoff to the right program team. I accomplish this by operating through a data-informed, relationship-centered recruitment strategy. I pay particular attention to creating an exceptional prospective Fellow experience, and aligning my responsibilities with the mission of BMT.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

What inspired me about the mission are the tenets of Recruit, Prepare, Place and Retain. I aim to recruit the “whole man” which to me goes beyond simply placing fellows in the classroom. Having the awareness, appreciation and consideration that our fellows need support to be the best teachers they can be for students is equally as important. I also appreciate the focus on providing a clear pathway to Fellows. From my experience I understand that positioning the right teacher in the classroom is imperative to student learning.

3

If you could describe in one word why you work at BMT, what would it be?

IMPACT

4

What is a piece of advice you would give to Black Men who are considering becoming teachers?

I would encourage them to see themselves as a young, Black male sitting in a classroom. I would ask them to close their eyes and imagine how it might feel sitting in their seat. Perhaps they are experiencing challenges at home, maybe they're struggling with a math problem, or they're trying to navigate life without a consistent male role model.

‍

Then I would ask them to open their eyes and imagine seeing a male standing at the head of their classroom. He is strong, poised, articulate, funny, fun, a good listener, and intelligent. He has your complexion, hair texture but most importantly, the teacher looks like you.

‍

Finally, I would ask them to imagine the ways a young student might benefit from a positive representation of a Black male teacher?

‍

Now imagine that teacher being YOU!

‍

‍

5

What is the name of the teacher or teachers who had the most impact on you? Why?

The greatest investment that we can make as a community is to pour in to our students and impart to them that access to education was an earned right that we cannot afford to neglect, take for granted or under utilize for our advancement.

‍

6

What else do you want the community to know about who you are, your passion for the work, and the skills you bring to the work?

The greatest investment that we can make as a community is to pour in to our students and impart to them that access to education was an earned right that we cannot afford to neglect, take for granted or under utilize for our advancement.

‍

As Recruitment Manager for BMT I lead the recruitment process from first contact through process, acceptance/enrollment coordination, and handoff to the right program team. I accomplish this by operating through a data-informed, relationship-centered recruitment strategy. I pay particular attention to creating an exceptional prospective Fellow experience, and aligning my responsibilities with the mission of BMT.

1

How would you describe what you do?

1

What inspired me about the mission are the tenets of Recruit, Prepare, Place and Retain. I aim to recruit the “whole man” which to me goes beyond simply placing fellows in the classroom. Having the awareness, appreciation and consideration that our fellows need support to be the best teachers they can be for students is equally as important. I also appreciate the focus on providing a clear pathway to Fellows. From my experience I understand that positioning the right teacher in the classroom is imperative to student learning.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

2

IMPACT

3

If you could describe in one word why you work at BMT, what would it be?

3

I would encourage them to see themselves as a young, Black male sitting in a classroom. I would ask them to close their eyes and imagine how it might feel sitting in their seat. Perhaps they are experiencing challenges at home, maybe they're struggling with a math problem, or they're trying to navigate life without a consistent male role model.

‍

Then I would ask them to open their eyes and imagine seeing a male standing at the head of their classroom. He is strong, poised, articulate, funny, fun, a good listener, and intelligent. He has your complexion, hair texture but most importantly, the teacher looks like you.

‍

Finally, I would ask them to imagine the ways a young student might benefit from a positive representation of a Black male teacher?

‍

Now imagine that teacher being YOU!

‍

‍

4

What is a piece of advice you would give to Black Men who are considering becoming teachers?

4

Growing up in North Minneapolis I had a phenomenal middle school principal at Willard Elementary. She was intelligent, statuesque, and powerful. For me it was the first time seeing a Black woman walking the halls of my school. She commanded respect without being forceful; it was simply the manner that she carried herself. It left quite an impression on me.

5

What is the name of the teacher or teachers who had the most impact on you? Why?

5

The greatest investment that we can make as a community is to pour in to our students and impart to them that access to education was an earned right that we cannot afford to neglect, take for granted or under utilize for our advancement.

‍

6

What else do you want the community to know about who you are, your passion for the work, and the skills you bring to the work?

6

Other Staff Members:

Dr. Brandon Foster

Teaching & Learning Manager

View Story

Dr. John Edwards

Interim Chief Operating Officer

View Story

Ti-Esha Williams-Vaughn

Apprenticeship Navigator

View Story

Robert Murry

Director of Secondary Programs & Educator Pathways

View Story

Brittany Leek

People & Operations Coordinator

View Story

Marvis Kilgore

Interim Managing Director for Programs

View Story

Nathan Dean

Marketing & Communications Manager

View Story

Rosemarie Ndupuechi

Chief Advancement & Marketing Officer

View Story

Hajo Jaafaru

Program & Events Coordinator

View Story

Markus Flynn

Chief Executive Officer

View Story

Sean Sweat

Senior Director of Evaluation and Impact

View Story
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Kimberly Jones

Recruitment Manager

Kimberly Jones is an education leader, community advocate, and relationship-builder whose work is grounded in a deep commitment to education, faith, community, and the advancement of Black people. A native of North Minneapolis with deeply rooted Southern heritage, Kimberly draws from both traditions to inform a leadership philosophy centered on resilience, service, cultural pride, and the belief that education has the power to transform individuals, families, and communities.

‍

Kimberly began her career in education as a teacher and later served as a Dean of Students, experiences that gave her a firsthand understanding of the profound influence educators can have on the academic, social, and personal development of young people.

‍

A proud graduate of Jackson State University, Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Arts before continuing her educational journey at Fielding Graduate University, where she earned a Master of Education and is currently completing her Doctor of Education. Her continued pursuit of doctoral study reflects her belief that learning is both a lifelong responsibility and a powerful instrument for social change.

‍

As Manager of Recruitment with Black Men Teach, Kimberly brings together her experience in education, recruitment, community engagement, and relationship development to help expand the presence and influence of Black men in education. She understands recruitment as more than filling positions—it is about cultivating relationships, identifying talent, building trust, and creating pathways for Black men to see themselves as educators, leaders, mentors, and changemakers.

‍

Kimberly takes great pride in the contributions she has made within her community and in creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, connected, and empowered. She continues this work by serving on several community boards. Her work has included community organizing, arts and cultural initiatives, youth engagement, and efforts designed to strengthen the connection between people and the institutions that serve them.

‍

At the heart of Kimberly’s work is a simple but deeply held conviction: Representation matters, relationships matter, and who is given the opportunity to lead matters.

‍

She is passionate about creating greater access and opportunity for Black people while helping build communities where Black excellence is not only recognized but cultivated and sustained.

‍

Rooted in faith, grounded in community, and committed to education, Kimberly continues to use her voice, experience, and leadership to help create pathways for the next generation—particularly Black boys and men—to envision possibilities beyond what they have been told is possible.