Curtis Lewis

Dr. Curtis L. Lewis is a nationally recognized education leader, scholar, and visionary dedicated to transforming schools and communities through restorative, human-centered leadership. He is the Founder and President of Boldly Moving Education Ahead (BMEA), an organization committed to developing the next generation of educators, expanding leadership pipelines, and building liberatory school spaces where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Under his leadership, BMEA has launched innovative initiatives such as the Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP), the Principal Wellness and Policy Fellowship, and alternative tutoring and schooling models that integrate social-emotional learning, literacy, math proficiency, and emerging technologies like AI. Most recently, Dr. Lewis has led the creation of the BMEA Independent School, expanding opportunities for families seeking innovative and equity-driven education. Dr. Lewis also serves as an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University’s College of Education and as Director of the Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC) Program, where he mentors and prepares educators to lead with equity, restorative practices, and innovation at the center of their teaching. At MSU, he has spearheaded the development of new pathways for first-year teachers, curriculum redesigns that integrate restorative justice in education, and partnerships with local schools that bridge research and practice. Before entering higher education, Dr. Lewis built a track record of success as a K–12 teacher, principal, and district leader. His leadership in both K–12 and higher education has directly supported hundreds of educators and school leaders and positively impacted the learning experiences of thousands of students through BMEA’s fellowships, leadership development, and school-based partnerships. These efforts have cultivated stronger pipelines of educators, built restorative and academically rigorous school cultures, and elevated leaders who carry forward his commitment to equity and excellence. Dr. Lewis has been recognized as the 2024 Detroit Educator of the Year and frequently delivers keynotes, workshops, and trainings across the nation. Dr. Lewis continues to advance a bold vision: an education system where every child has access to transformative learning opportunities and the mentors to guide them forward.