As the President and CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), Sondra Samuels leads a collaborative of partner organizations and schools who work together toward a single goal—to prepare low-income North Minneapolis children to graduate from high school ready for college.
Ms. Samuels is a national leader and tireless advocate for effective solutions to end poverty through education. Under her leadership, NAZ was named a federal Promise Neighborhood and has become a nationally recognized model for achievement.
Ms. Samuels has lived in North Minneapolis for 15-years and serves as an inspirational leader and advocate for Northside families. She was appointed by the Governor of Minnesota to serve on the state Judiciary Selection Commission. In addition, she currently serves on the Children’s Defense Fund’s Advisory Board, the African American Leadership Forum’s Education Committee, and the Junior League of Minneapolis’ Community Advisory Board. Minnesota Monthly Magazine recently named Ms. Samuels one of the 75 most influential people in the Twin Cities.