BMT STORIES

Get to know our inspiring staff

Marvis Kilgore 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.

Meet the Team

Marvis

Kilgore

Apprenticeship Navigator and Leadership Development Coach

Marvis Kilgore serves as the Apprenticeship Navigator and Leadership Development Coach at Black Men Teach, where he supports Black men entering education through coaching, relationship building, and leadership development.

A native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, he is deeply committed to service, mentorship, and expanding opportunity for others.

Marvis is a graduate of Dillard University and the University of Mississippi, and brings a passion for community advancement, global engagement, and creating pathways for the next generation of leaders.

He is also a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, and a member of 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities.

6 QUESTIONS

WITH

Marvis

1

How would you describe what you do?

I would approach this role as both an architect and a steward of possibility, committed to not only supporting Black men entering education but reshaping the conditions that allow them to stay, thrive, and lead.

My work would be grounded in intentional, trust centered relationships, where I serve as a consistent and credible presence, offering coaching that creates space for honesty, strategy, and identity affirmation.

I understand both the technical demands of teaching and the cultural realities Black men navigate, and I would help apprentices move through those experiences with clarity and confidence.

When challenges arise, I would treat them as systemic issues, advocating with purpose and working across partners to intervene early and disrupt patterns that lead to attrition.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

As the Apprenticeship Navigator and Leadership Development Coach, I would draw on my experience building systems and pathways where none previously existed, creating structures that intentionally support retention, growth, and long-term success for Black men in education.

My work has consistently centered on developing collaborative relationships across departments, institutions, and community partners, and I would bring that same approach to ensure each apprentice is surrounded by aligned, responsive support.

I have coached and guided individuals through complex academic and professional environments, and I would extend that practice by helping apprentices navigate identity, belonging, and leadership with clarity and confidence.

Having contributed to significant program growth and sustainability through strategic partnership building and resource development, I understand how to align vision with execution in ways that produce measurable impact.

I would approach this role with a deep commitment to listening, learning, and advocating, ensuring that apprentice voices not only shape their own experiences but inform broader program improvement.

Grounded in both purpose and practice, I would work to cultivate educators who are not only prepared to teach, but equipped to lead and transform the systems they enter.

3

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

Convergence

4

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

I would tell Black men considering teaching that this work is bigger than a profession. It is a calling that places you at the center of shaping how young people see themselves, their possibilities, and their place in the world.

I would also be honest that the journey requires resilience, clarity of purpose, and a strong sense of self—especially in spaces that were not designed with you in mind. Staying rooted in your “why” and building community is essential.

You do not have to do this work alone, and seeking brotherhood, mentorship, and support will sustain you and strengthen your impact.

Teaching is leadership
, and if you choose this path, step into it fully, knowing your influence will extend far beyond the classroom.

5

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

I want the community to know that I am deeply rooted in service, excellence, and a lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity for others.

I am from Holly Springs, Mississippi, a place that shaped my understanding of resilience, history, and the importance of investing back into community. My academic journey through Dillard University and the University of Mississippi challenged me to grow across different cultural and institutional spaces while strengthening my ability to build bridges and foster understanding.

I am a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and a member of 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities, both of which reflect my commitment to brotherhood, mentorship, and community advancement. These affiliations are not titles, but responsibilities that call me to uplift, guide, and create pathways for the next generation.

I am driven by a passion for connection and global understanding, shaped in part by my love of travel and my ability to communicate in seven languages. These experiences have strengthened my ability to engage across cultures with respect, curiosity, and intention.

In every space I enter, I strive to lead with humility and purpose, grounded in the belief that true leadership is defined by service.

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?

I want the community to know that I am deeply rooted in service, excellence, and a lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity for others.

I am from Holly Springs, Mississippi, a place that shaped my understanding of resilience, history, and the importance of investing back into community. My academic journey through Dillard University and the University of Mississippi challenged me to grow across different cultural and institutional spaces while strengthening my ability to build bridges and foster understanding.

I am a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and a member of 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities, both of which reflect my commitment to brotherhood, mentorship, and community advancement. These affiliations are not titles, but responsibilities that call me to uplift, guide, and create pathways for the next generation.

I am driven by a passion for connection and global understanding, shaped in part by my love of travel and my ability to communicate in seven languages. These experiences have strengthened my ability to engage across cultures with respect, curiosity, and intention.

In every space I enter, I strive to lead with humility and purpose, grounded in the belief that true leadership is defined by service.

I would approach this role as both an architect and a steward of possibility, committed to not only supporting Black men entering education but reshaping the conditions that allow them to stay, thrive, and lead.

My work would be grounded in intentional, trust centered relationships, where I serve as a consistent and credible presence, offering coaching that creates space for honesty, strategy, and identity affirmation.

I understand both the technical demands of teaching and the cultural realities Black men navigate, and I would help apprentices move through those experiences with clarity and confidence.

When challenges arise, I would treat them as systemic issues, advocating with purpose and working across partners to intervene early and disrupt patterns that lead to attrition.

1

How would you describe what you do?

1

As the Apprenticeship Navigator and Leadership Development Coach, I would draw on my experience building systems and pathways where none previously existed, creating structures that intentionally support retention, growth, and long-term success for Black men in education.

My work has consistently centered on developing collaborative relationships across departments, institutions, and community partners, and I would bring that same approach to ensure each apprentice is surrounded by aligned, responsive support.

I have coached and guided individuals through complex academic and professional environments, and I would extend that practice by helping apprentices navigate identity, belonging, and leadership with clarity and confidence.

Having contributed to significant program growth and sustainability through strategic partnership building and resource development, I understand how to align vision with execution in ways that produce measurable impact.

I would approach this role with a deep commitment to listening, learning, and advocating, ensuring that apprentice voices not only shape their own experiences but inform broader program improvement.

Grounded in both purpose and practice, I would work to cultivate educators who are not only prepared to teach, but equipped to lead and transform the systems they enter.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

2

Convergence

3

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

3

I would tell Black men considering teaching that this work is bigger than a profession. It is a calling that places you at the center of shaping how young people see themselves, their possibilities, and their place in the world.

I would also be honest that the journey requires resilience, clarity of purpose, and a strong sense of self—especially in spaces that were not designed with you in mind. Staying rooted in your “why” and building community is essential.

You do not have to do this work alone, and seeking brotherhood, mentorship, and support will sustain you and strengthen your impact.

Teaching is leadership
, and if you choose this path, step into it fully, knowing your influence will extend far beyond the classroom.

4

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

4

The teachers who had the greatest impact on my life did more than instruct. They modeled what it meant to live with purpose, discipline, and a deep responsibility to community.

Coach Hood
, my PE teacher from kindergarten through eighth grade, my Sigma Beta Club advisor in high school, and a lifelong mentor, was a constant force in my development. He showed me that Black men could be professionals who lead with integrity and hold high standards, while also creating opportunities for me to practice leadership throughout my K through 12 journey. Because of him, I did not just learn leadership—I lived it and began to understand the responsibility that comes with it.

Mr. Broadway
, my high school history teacher, shaped me in a different but equally powerful way. He taught me that narrative matters, especially in how we understand history, identity, and legacy. He challenged me to think critically about whose stories are told and what it means to carry them forward.

Together, they expanded my sense of what was possible and grounded me in a belief that I have both the capacity and the responsibility to lead and make a lasting impact.

5

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

5

I want the community to know that I am deeply rooted in service, excellence, and a lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity for others.

I am from Holly Springs, Mississippi, a place that shaped my understanding of resilience, history, and the importance of investing back into community. My academic journey through Dillard University and the University of Mississippi challenged me to grow across different cultural and institutional spaces while strengthening my ability to build bridges and foster understanding.

I am a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and a member of 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities, both of which reflect my commitment to brotherhood, mentorship, and community advancement. These affiliations are not titles, but responsibilities that call me to uplift, guide, and create pathways for the next generation.

I am driven by a passion for connection and global understanding, shaped in part by my love of travel and my ability to communicate in seven languages. These experiences have strengthened my ability to engage across cultures with respect, curiosity, and intention.

In every space I enter, I strive to lead with humility and purpose, grounded in the belief that true leadership is defined by service.

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:

Nathan Dean

Marketing & Communications Manager

Cassandra Bruington

Managing Director for Programs

Jordan Lewandowski

High School Program Director

Dr. Courtney Bell-Duncan

Senior Director of Collective Impact

DeSean Smedley

College Cohort Program Director

Rosemarie Ndupuechi

Chief Advancement & Marketing Officer

Hajo Jaafaru

Program & Events Coordinator

Alex McCoy

Director of Teaching & Learning

Markus Flynn

Chief Executive Officer

Sean Sweat

Senior Director of Evaluation and Impact

Marvis Kilgore

Apprenticeship Navigator and Leadership Development Coach

Marvis Kilgore serves as the Apprenticeship Navigator and Leadership Development Coach at Black Men Teach, where he supports Black men entering education through coaching, relationship building, and leadership development.

A native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, he is deeply committed to service, mentorship, and expanding opportunity for others.

Marvis is a graduate of Dillard University and the University of Mississippi, and brings a passion for community advancement, global engagement, and creating pathways for the next generation of leaders.

He is also a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, and a member of 100 Black Men of the Twin Cities.