Welcome to 2025! The turn of a calendar year always feels like such a big event to me. During my upbringing in the South Bronx, my family always stayed up until midnight, eating pasteles, playing games, playing music, dancing and telling stories. No matter what happened that year, the New Year celebration in the DeJesus residence was sacred, joyful and full of hope. So many wonderful memories!  

Celebrating the end of one year and entry into another serves as a powerful symbol of hope for many people. It also provides an important shift for others, away from a year that brought pain, loss or a challenge, to a new year of expectations. I invite you to join me in centering yourself in joy as you start this new year. Joy is so powerful! It helps us to remember that there is always something to be grateful for, people to love and appreciate, someone to be cared for, and beauty in unexpected places. 

The last half of 2024 was emotionally difficult for my family, and for some of you as well who experienced loss. We unexpectedly said goodbye to my mother. My mother was a lifeforce for me, she was my joy. For several months I found myself falling apart in the most unexpected places and times. The sadness was so great. Yet, I was flooded with so much love from friends. It was amazing to receive love bracelets, poetry, daily notes, and cards. I was held up by a continuous thread of love. Thank you! 

You are my joy. I want to thank you for your selfless leadership, for serving our nation’s students and for being genuine friends to one another.  I love watching the friendships that keep expanding in our network! 

Let’s keep this up in 2025! Join your colleagues for the Tech, Power and Equity conference on January 23-25, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. One of the presenters, Principal Brione Minor-Mitchell is featured this month, as she shares with us her work empowering elementary students in the Clark County School District through computer science and AI! I am also so appreciative of two amazing friends, Dr. Lupita Hightower (AZ) and Dr. Tahira Dupree-Chase (NY), who will serve as co-emcees and guide us through this learning event! 

As we enter 2025, don’t do leadership alone!  Get together under the Flamboyan Tree – the symbolic shade tree where our collective love, strength, focus, and friendships create lasting impacts as we find joy in our presence with one another.  

With gratitude to have you in my life,

Christina

JANUARY 2025 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO

Dr. Brione Minor-Mitchell is an experienced educational leader with a focus on culturally responsive education. She has a proven track record of fostering student-centered environments and improving academic outcomes.

As principal of Cunningham Elementary School in Las Vegas, Brione prioritizes student well-being and learning through community-driven goals. She has successfully led professional learning communities across K-5 grade levels.

Dr. Minor-Mitchell advocates for integrating technology and AI in education, particularly in high-needs elementary schools and emphasizes the importance of hands-on computer science and AI experiences to prepare students for the future.

Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Minor-Mitchell below.

The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Dr. Kishimoto 

Hello everyone. Welcome to 2025. I am so excited. I’m Dr Christina Kishimoto and I am here for our first edition of the New Year. And how appropriate for me to have a dear friend with me. Dr Brione Minor-Mitchell, a school principal, not just a school principal, but also an outstanding national leader making waves in all the right ways in public education. I am so excited, Brione, to have you with me as a friend, a colleague, a dear person to start off the year in conversation.

Dr. Brione Minor-Mitchell

Thank you, Dr Kishimoto. Thank you so much for having me on your show. 

Dr. Kishimoto 

So, 2025! New Year’s is always like this big deal for my family and for me, whether there’s a reason for it to be a big deal or not, we make it a big deal. There’s  closure for the year before entering into the new year. I’m wondering how you’re feeling coming into 2025?

Dr. Minor-Mitchell

I want to say I’m feeling hopeful for 2025. I’m feeling restful as well. I think this is  going to be a big year, not only to reflect on the years prior, but also to reflect on where we’re going in the future. And so, I’m excited about 2025 but also, I think this is a year of just rest and really opening our eyes and just learning so that we can get better.

Dr. Kishimoto 

I’m glad you used the word restful and rest within like the first minute of having this conversation. That’s not a highly used word amongst educators, especially when you’re leading schools, leading districts. I’m wondering whether you did something during the holidays that made you feel more restful, or whether you’re just good at this and you know how to center yourself, enjoy and rest?

Dr. Minor-Mitchell

I think since the pandemic, everyone has been through so much, and I think as a collective, of educators, and a collective of women, a collective of people of color, a collective of people who have been through this pandemic, I think the new word out there is rest. It’s restful, it is hopeful. It’s all those things. And I really want to take that seriously and really apply that this year. 

Dr. Kishimoto 

I love that! 

And you know, we in Voice4Equity and the network, and the women leading across the country have a big event coming up. It’s the Tech, Power and Equity conference. In three weeks’ time we’re going to get together as leaders across the country to talk about what’s happening in the world of technology and AI and the opportunities it brings, as well as, how do we get ready for it? How do we leverage it, how do we take advantage of it? And I thought it was appropriate for us to have a conversation today about the work you’re doing. You’re an elementary school principal. You have been leading the work of technology and computer science. You are thinking deeply about AI. I wonder if you can tell us a little bit about how you’re leading in this space.

Voice4Equity is proud to announce Dr. Lupita Hightower, Superintendent of Tolleson Elementary School District, 2011-2024, as the recipient of the 2025 Voice4Equity Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes Dr. Hightower’s exceptional contributions to educational equity and her influential role in advancing women’s leadership in public education.

The award will be presented at the Tech, Power and Equity Conference, taking place January 23-25, 2025, at the Hyatt Place Phoenix. The presentation ceremony will be held during a special recognition event on Saturday, January 25, at 11:00 AM.

“Dr. Hightower exemplifies the bold educational leadership that transforms communities,” said Dr. Christina DeJesus Kishimoto, Chief Executive Officer of Voice4Equity. “Her impact extends far beyond Arizona, inspiring women educators nationwide to pursue superintendent roles and advocate for educational equity.”

“Dr. Lupita Hightower’s legacy in our district is one of excellence and equity, evident in the countless opportunities provided for students and the barriers removed to ensure their success. Her impactful mentorship has modeled true leadership—kind, compassionate, and inclusive—leaving a lasting impression on both adults and children. Through her advocacy, Dr. Hightower has brought high-quality programs to our schools and fostered meaningful engagement with community leaders, organizations, and businesses, leaving the district poised to continue to succeed and thrive for years to come,” said Assistant Superintendent Gisselle Herrera, who will succeed Dr. Hightower as superintendent.

The Voice4Equity Lifetime Achievement Award honors educational leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to equity in public schools while fostering pathways for women in educational leadership. Dr. Hightower joins a distinguished group of past recipients, including Dr. Sharon Contreras (2024) and Dr. Carmen Ayala (2023).

In recognition of Dr. Hightower’s influence in Arizona, Voice4Equity is offering a special one-day conference registration to Arizona Educators for the Saturday morning program. This will allow local educational leaders to participate in celebrating Dr. Hightower’s achievements and lifetime commitment to educational equity.

The Tech, Power and Equity Conference brings together educational leaders committed to advancing equity and innovation in public education. See voice4equity.com/tpe to learn more.

About Voice4Equity

Voice4Equity is dedicated to elevating women to executive leadership roles in education and creating more equitable futures for all students. Through conferences, networking events, and leadership development programs, the organization works to transform educational leadership and outcomes across the nation. Learn more about Voice4Equity at voice4equity.com

For more information about the Tech, Power and Equity Conference or Voice4Equity, please contact Steve Smith at events@voice4equity.com.

See the press release here.

Don’t miss out on the incredible chance to learn from inspiring women leaders at the Tech, Power and Equity conference in Phoenix, Arizona on January 23-25, 2025. Delve into the world of AI and technology, and plan your strategy for your district, school or classroom. Register now to join industry and educational leaders in thought-provoking discussions and hands-on workshops. 

View the Event Website to Register

We are excited to invite superintendents, board members, and leaders at the school, district and university levels to submit a proposal to present at the 2025 When Women Lead Conference in historic Charleston, SC! This is a unique learning and networking event to share your expertise, insights, and innovative strategies with peers nationally who are transforming the education landscape. Whether you have a story of transformation to tell, a successful initiative to showcase, or research that can better inform, we want to invite you! Join us in creating a powerful space for learning, connection, and empowerment. Submit your proposal today!

Sleep is essential for physical, mental, and emotional health. It supports muscle recovery, tissue growth, immune function, and brain processes like memory consolidation and toxin removal. Sleep also regulates hormones that control appetite, stress, and mood.

A guided sleep meditation can be a powerful tool for promoting a restful night’s sleep by helping to calm the mind and ease the body into a state of relaxation. Intentional deep breathing and mindfulness activate the parasympathetic nervous system, slowing the heart rate and reducing stress. Try this 10-minute sleep meditation every night for a week – you will feel the benefits!

To our wellness,
Tiana

As we mark our third year of operation, Voice4Equity celebrates a remarkable 2024 filled with growth and achievement in our mission to increase the representation of women in superintendent positions and empower women for policy leadership.

Our organization draws inspiration from the Flamboyan Tree, found in Puerto Rico, Madagascar, and beyond. Like this tree that provides a gathering place for women to support and advance their communities, our work focuses on three key areas: policy leadership, networking, and research and data.

Policy Leadership Achievements

Our Policy Leadership Academy saw significant growth, with three cohorts completing the program and receiving digital credentials. Many graduates went on to present policy-focused sessions at major national conferences including AASA, CGCS, ALAS, and various regional events.

The Girls Policy Network reached several milestones this year:

• Secured trademark protection for our fully vetted curriculum
• Hosted a showcase event at the U.S. Department of Education, featuring 100 high school girls from nine school districts
• Expanded presence across multiple states including Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia
• Facilitated student interactions with members of Congress and Biden Administration leaders

We continued providing executive coaching services to women superintendents, cabinet members, and school principals, applying proven leadership development models to education leadership.

Networking Expansion

Our networking initiatives flourished in 2024:

• Successfully hosted the 2nd annual When Women Lead educational conference in Vancouver, Washington, attracting 250 leaders from 36 states and Canada
• Maintained strong national presence through policy-focused events for superintendents of color, including a Superintendents of Color Ally convening in San Diego
• Delivered keynote presentations and training sessions on AI, technology, equity approaches, and executive leadership development
• Published twelve monthly issues of Stories We Must Tell profiling successful educational leaders, reaching over 2,000 readers monthly 
• Expanded strategic partnerships with public and private organizations for policy, technology, and leadership webinars
• Recognized three Equity Warriors and one Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

Research and Data Impact

We advanced our research agenda through:

• Widespread presentation of our Culturally Responsive Policy Ecosystem (CRPE) Framework at regional and national conferences
• Policy expertise contribution to national organizations, including support for the USDOE and Puerto Rico Department of Education partnership on decentralization
• Collaborative presentations of historical data on women in the superintendent seat with The Superintendent Lab
• Collected data from superintendents nationally on their policy research work and needs to inform our focus and design work

Looking Ahead

2025 promises continued growth with planned expansions including:

• Tech, Power and Equity conference
• School board governance training
• District-embedded Girls Policy Network opportunities
• Expansion of the Women Superintendent Policy Academy to 6 cohorts
• Build out of Wellness Corner

To learn more about engaging with our team of experts, contact scheduler Raquel Vasquez at raquel@voice4equity.com to set up an appointment with Dr. Christina Kishimoto.