Tauheedah Baker-Jones

Born and raised in Newark NJ, Tauheedah Baker-Jones is a first-generation college graduate, wife and the proud mother of three amazing adults. Her experiences as a student and mother of children with intersections across race, learning difference, sexual orientation and gender identity, have given her a unique view into how children can be adversely affected by the intersectionality between educational inequity and marginalization.

As a result, Tauheedah has spent the past 19 years working to ensure that we provide an excellent, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for every child, in every classroom, every day. She has served in diverse leadership roles across the K-12 spectrum within the district, charter, and non-profit sectors.

Tauheedah began her teaching career in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and has also worked as a teacher, principal, and district leader in Newark, NJ, a non-profit leader in New York City, and an adjunct professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Currently, Tauheedah serves as the first Chief Equity and Social Justice Officer for the Atlanta Public Schools.

In each of these roles, Dr. Baker-Jones has led with distinction. Her work in education equity and social justice has been featured in the New York Times and on the CBS Early Show. She has also received numerous awards and recognitions. Including a recognition by President Barack Obama as a White House Community Leader in Education, her selection as the 2020 recipient of the Harvard University Afolabi Award for Commitment to Educational Justice, and her appointment to the Bill and Melinda Gates Education to Work Advisory Board.

Tauheedah completed her general studies at Howard University, earned a B.A. in History of Abrahamic Religions and Near Eastern Language & Culture from UCLA, an M.Ed. in Urban Education and Social Justice from UCLA, a M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management from Rutgers University, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Harvard University.