“Dr. Chike Akua’s presentation style is engaging, dynamic, and very well-informed. As a keynote speaker, he touches the intellect as well as the heart in providing practical suggestions and ideas to educators who are striving to make a difference in the lives of their students. His message is timely, relevant, and needs to be heard.”
Greg Johnson, Ed.D, Senior Policy Analyst
Teacher Quality Department
National Education Association (NEA)
“Based on the evaluations we received, conference participants felt Dr. Akua’s keynote presentation and workshop session were outstanding and inspiring as well as informative and challenging. Our members were delighted to have Dr. Akua share his new ideas, fresh approaches and materials to enhance their educational expertise.”
Anita Maxwell
Communications and Instructional Issues
West Virginia Education Association (WVEA)
“Dr. Chike Akua is an outstanding speaker who provides high quality professional development for all educators. His energizing presentations include ideas and instructional strategies that can immediately be incorporated into classroom instruction. He engages educators with empowering messages that exemplify his genuine concern about the educational future of all students, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented populations.”
Pamela Fossett, Director
Education Policy & Professional Practice
Alabama Education Association (AEA)
"The conference evaluations we received from participants proclaimed the impact and benefits of Dr. Akua's interactive, high spirited, enlightening and thought-provoking workshop while stating their request that BEAM ask him to return for next year's conference! Dr. Akua is a skilled practitioner who inspires, motivates and models effective classroom curriculum and instruction designed to achieve social and academic excellence! Every educator, especially those committed to eliminating the achievement/access gap, should experience his powerful and empowering presentation!"
Barbara E. Fields
Co-chair, Conference Committee
The Black Educators' Alliance of Massachusetts (BEAM)
“Dr. Akua’s professional development was, by all accounts, phenomenal. He is a master at providing hands-on strategies and techniques for engaging, inspiring, and challenging all students. In reviewing staff evaluations, 85% of my teachers said it was the best training they had ever been to.”
Lionel E. Allen, Jr., VP of Operations
Urban Prep Academies
Chicago, Illinois
“As a master teacher and former Teacher of the Year, Dr. Chike Akua has many of the answers to the questions that educators are struggling with. His message is a must for all educators who truly want to prepare their students for success.”
Ernest H. Johnson, Ph.D., Center Fellow
NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching
Cullowhee, North Carolina
“Dr. Akua shows people how to engage students in the process of learning. The way he teaches gives kids who struggle to learn the hope that they can learn.”
Stephen MacDonald, Executive Director
Youth Opportunities Program
YMCA & JCC of Greater Toledo (Ohio)
“Dr. Chike Akua, a brilliant presenter, skillfully captured and held the attention of his audience in a style that was priceless. The exclusive message to students, teachers and parents was well received and sparked meaningful and positive feedback. Dr. Akua is a passionate and gifted educator willing to share his expertise to help schools move beyond excuses to solutions. He leaves you wanting more!”
Thomas C. Faniel, Leadership Coach
Hartford Systems of Schools
Hartford, Connecticut
“Dr. Chike Akua’s keynote address at our recent WABSE conference was the first time I had heard him speak. What a uniquely gifted and vastly knowledgeable speaker he is! One of the things I appreciate about Dr. Akua is, not only is he able to eloquently communicate his message, but his genuine love and concern for people is clearly conveyed as well. Listening to him speak gave me the sense that he is sharing from his heart-felt belief that he can help to effect change, and is visibly passionate about doing so. His return to Wichita can’t come soon enough!”
Joseph Bowen, Treasurer
Wichita Alliance of Black School Educators
Wichita, Kansas
"Dr. Akua, thank you for being such an inspiration to our middle school principals, parent, community partners, and school personnel. Your heartfelt words and knowledge recharged us as we focus on increasing the achievement of our students, especially those labled 'at-risk'. You have empowered us with the energy and excitement we needed to start the year off. Once again, we thank you for your continued partnership."
Luwondo Wright-Hines, Director
Title I, Migrant and School Improvement
The School Board of Broward County, Florida
“Dr. Akua gave an impressive opening to our 17th Annual Summer Institute! As usual, he set the "gold standard" for a tremendous week of presenters and field experience activities...he reinforced the significance of educational relevancy and rigor for all students in the classroom... he challenged the conscience of every teacher/administrator/district.”
Dr. Gloria Crutchfield, Director
Secondary Curriculum
School District of Palm Beach, Florida
"Dr. Akua's training provided a unique perspective to both teaching and learning that is not found in traditional curriculum. It is engaging from both cultural and instructional strategies standpoints. The content is thought provoking and easily lends itself to higher-order thinking processes for students regardless of age and academic level."
Dr. Mark Quintana, Coordinator
Office of School Improvement
Title 1, Migrant Ed., & School Improvement Dept.
Broward County Schools (FL)
"Dr. Akua presented TeacherTransformation to my staff last year and it was an amazing and engaging presentation. My teachers immediately implemented what they learned and continue to use his strategies to engage students in academic achievement."
Zarina Ahmad, Principal
Piedmont Avenue Elementary School
Oakland, CA
"For the past two years, Dr. Akua has served as a professional development provider for our staff. Dr. Akua’s workshops are always engaging and uplifting. Dr. Akua is highly knowledgeable, always prepared, and willing to adjust his workshops based on the needs of his audience."
Monique Whittington, Principal
Kwame Nkrumah Academy
Chicago, IL
"I have been privileged to experience Dr. Akua's dynamic and most informative presentations... Teachers were inspired and openly requested that the school purchase his publications for their classrooms. Many, among the group, raised the question, “When is Dr. Akua coming back?” I honestly believe Dr. Chike Akua is among America’s most gifted master teachers."
Dr. Elaine Mosely, Instructional Support Specialist
Kwame Nkrumah Academy
Chicago, IL
"It is said that 'Good teachers don't do, they be.' In keeping with this axiom, Dr. Chike Akua, himself a master teacher and recognized Teacher-of-the-Year, has laid out these ways of being. When followed, these master-teacher-ways-of-being simultaneously ignite an enthusiasm for teaching and learning even in the most challenging schools and classrooms.
Dr. Leslie T. Fenwick, Dean
Howard University School of Education
Washington, D.C.
"Everyone is still talking about how awesome Dr. Akua's presentation was at Fickett Elementary. Many of the teachers stated that they were energized and ready to tackle the obstacles of the second semester.
It was just the boost they needed."
Cheryl Twyman, Principal
Fickett Elementary School
Atlanta, GA
"Thank you, Dr. Akua, for reawakening the spirit of the African American Humanities in me and my staff...one of my teachers said they were unable to put your book down. I am certainly not surprised by the favorable enthusiasm and excitement expressed by my teachers. Your presentation was just what we needed to provide an environment of high expectations and standards."
Dr. Tara Green, Principal
Central Elementary School
Hayneville, AL
"Dr. Akua's presentation to my staff was amazing! It not only lifted their morale and deepened their sense of purpose, he demonstrated fun, practical examples of how to use culturally responsive instructional strategies to increase student engagement and achievement."
Dr. Brian Bolden, Principal
McNair Discovery Academy
Atlanta, GA
"Dr. Akua’s Teacher Transformation Seminar was a pivotal experience for teachers at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (TJMS). The teachers and administrators learned how to differentiate instruction to achieve academic excellence for African American students, Hispanic students and all students, using an interdisciplinary approach."
Dr. Willette Nash, Program Manager
Department of Multicultural Education
Winston-Salem Forsythe County Schools (NC)
"Dr. Akua gave a powerful professional development on differentiated instruction! Teachers walked away with knowledge on how to organize their lessons to meet the need of every type of learner. Principals, this professional development is a necessity for all teachers.
My staff was informed and inspired today!"
Dr. Marcus Jackson, Principal
Boyd Elementary School
Atlanta, GA