WHO WE ARE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Boston’s Bridge to Excellence, Board of Directors provides guidance, support and insight to support the growth and sustainability of the organization.
Dejon Rice
Founder & CEO, Boston's Bridge to Excellence
Growing up as a young man from Dorchester, Massachusetts, Dejon attended both charter and public schools. Dejon personally struggled with academics and had to work twice as hard to get good grades. He did not have access to tutors to help, but he persevered, graduated high school and graduated from Wheelock College in 2016. Due to his personal struggles in school, Dejon has made a commitment to provide children with the tools necessary to succeed in school and life so they can reach their full potential as human beings. Through this commitment, Dejon opened Boston’s Bridge to Excellence program in the Boston Public Schools. Dejon is passionate in bringing together Boston’s Bridge to Excellence programs, school districts and community partners, so they can all work together towards the common goal: all children deserve access to quality education and experiences in schools, especially during extended learning times.
Sophia Bishop-Rice
Chairwoman, Boston's Bridge to Excellence
Sophia Bishop-Rice is the Executive Director of Newton-based Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries. Sophia Communicates a compelling and inspired vision and ensures the implementation of the organization’s mission to mobilize congregations and communities across economic, religious, racial, and ethnic boundaries so that, in partnership, we can work more effectively for a just and peaceful society and for spiritual growth and interfaith understanding. Sophia facilitates continuous and healthy growth of the organization by engaging the team in long-range strategic planning for achieving its mission. Sophia has a working knowledge of research and trends in violence prevention and youth development. Plans and implements short-intermediate- and longer-term opportunities for the organization and provides leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff while implementing Board authorized policies and plans. Deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to foster an environment of inclusiveness Sophia models cultural competence as an ongoing learning experience for all personnel. Sophia lives in Quincy, Massachusetts and in her spare time teaches Values over Violence to youth in the Boston Public Schools and Discovering Justice Mock Trials in partnership with Moakley Courthouse.
Jacqueline Rosario
Teacher, Boston Public Schools
Jacqueline Rosario is a passionate and dynamic teacher who has worked in Boston Public Schools for over two decades. She is committed to helping students develop critical thinking skills and is known for her ability to inspire students to love reading and writing. She is also an advocate for social justice and uses her classroom as a platform to promote diversity and inclusiveness.
Sara Kilroy
Executive Director, 3PointFoundation
Sara Kilroy, as the 3PointFoundation’s Executive Director, has held leadership roles at educational non-profits over the past 14 years in Boston, beginning with Tenacity, followed by 7 years at the Rafael Hernández School and Boston Partners in Education. Before Boston, she had worked for 3 years in Worcester, MA in a College Access program with Worcester high school-aged youth. Her work has primarily focused on leveraging the power of out-of-school time to support all students in their educational journey. With a Master’s Degree in Positive Youth Development and a Certificate from Boston University’s Nonprofit Management and Leadership program, Sara is committed to strengthening opportunities for our young people through high-quality, engaging, culturally relevant, and supportive programming. A self-reflective lens of cultural humility has guided her intentional commitment to Boston and its unique culture at the BPS. She was not raised here, so she has worked over the years to build strong, working relationships with students, families, and district leaders. Sara has two kids who attend the BPS. She loves to play sports (especially soccer) and has spent the last 3 years in the Franklin Park Community Softball League. When not with her family or playing sports, Sara can often be found reading.
Shamekia Gordon
Community Advocate
Shamekia is a passionate community advocate who has over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in the areas of human services, community building, partnership development, workforce development and youth development. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science from Tuskegee University and her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Wheelock College. In addition to the many years she has spent advocating for and assisting children, youth & families living in struggling communities, Shamekia has worked with organizational leaders to develop programs aimed at large-scale community change and designed strategies for improvement in organizational operations at large nonprofits. Shamekia is a relentless advocate for marginalized people.