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Shaka Mitchell Highlight
I don’t think it’s ever too late to try something new.
About Shaka
- Neither of my parents finished college but they made sure my siblings and I knew the value and importance of education—I decided to pursue a career in education because of this.
- I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
- I went on to earn my law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.
- After law school, I started my career in education as an associate director of policy and planning for the Center for Education Reform.
- I’ve since held a variety of positions involving education, law, and policy.
- Some of my roles include outreach coordinator for the Institute for Justice, executive vice president for the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, and regional director for Rocketship Education.
- I eventually joined the American Federation for Children—I started as the Tennessee State Director and now work across multiple states as the director of state strategy and advocacy.
- In addition to my role with the American Federation of Children, I work as an attorney at my own law office and teach political science as an adjunct professor at Belmont University.
