Maia Blankenship
Co-CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund
Washington, DC
Maia Blankenship is an accomplished education entrepreneur and advocate for equity leading Wildflower’s Charter Pathways and Replication Circle and serving as the Co-CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund. Maia galvanized a board and founding group of education advocates to obtain charter approval and launched DC Wildflower Public Charter School in 2021. This unique charter model will grow to serve over 200 students through intentionally small liberatory Montessori microschools over the next four years. Maia is also an advisor and connector to organizations actively working to dismantle systemic racism and oppression, including serving as Co-Chair of The Equity Lab. In 2020, she was recognized in the inaugural cohort of Black Voices for Black Justice Fund. In 2023 she was named as an NBCDI Public Voices Fellow for Racial Justice in Early Childhood Education with the OpEd project. She is a Ward 5 D.C. resident and the proud mother of an independent and adventurous seven-year-old who inspires her daily.
Overview
Although research shows that Black educators create positive outcomes for all children, they remain underrepresented and under-supported in the American education system. Black Wildflowers Fund aims to remove barriers for Black educators who want to pursue leadership pathways and design innovative schools—without compromising their freedom, power, identity, or financial security. We are creating a liberatory education movement that invests in the limitless potential of Black children and Black leaders through our grant programs and robust community of practice.
