Marvis Kilgore

Educational equity strategist | Founding director, Sirtify Program | Champion for Black male representation in teaching

Marvis Kilgore is tackling one of education’s most persistent equity gaps: the absence of Black male educators. He has lived the experience of being marginalized and unseen and is now on a mission to ensure that others aren’t. Through his leadership of the Sirtify program—an initiative he helped start and build from the ground up—he has significantly increased the number of Black men pursuing teaching careers at Normandale Community College in just three years. 

Marvis brings a powerful blend of strategic thinking, cultural fluency and deep empathy to his work. As executive director of Code Savvy, he is recognized as a transformative leader who advances equity by breaking down silos, directing funding and resources toward systemic change and growing inclusive computer science opportunities that counteract existing gender, racial and socioeconomic gaps in computing for lasting, community-centered impact. From fundraising half a million dollars for student trips to Senegal, to influencing statewide education policy, to launching partnerships with corporate and civic leaders, his impact is broad and growing.

With the Bush Fellowship, he plans to expand his leadership in educational equity, deepen his policy expertise and explore how technology and innovation can further dismantle systemic barriers in education.

What does leadership mean to you?

My path to leadership has been anything but conventional. The obstacles I faced growing up in a community where opportunities were limited have given me a unique perspective on the power of education and advocacy to transform lives. Throughout my career, I have worked to build bridges between elected leaders, community stakeholders and institutional representatives. Leadership, to me, means standing in integrity, ensuring all voices are heard and maintaining a relentless focus on equity. 

What change are you trying to create?

I want to help dismantle systemic barriers to educational access and representation for marginalized communities—particularly Black men—by reimagining who gets to lead, teach and shape the future of learning. I believe by creating inclusive pathways and rethinking the way we recruit, train and support educators and youth, we can build a future where innovation is driven by equity.