INSPIRE

Why I Serve: Dr. Blondean Davis, a Visionary Educator with a Passion for UNCF and HBCUs

Dr. Blondean Davis has helped raise more than $10 million in scholarship funds for UNCF-supported students.

When you think of making a difference for Black students, those who serve in the education field truly change lives. For decades, Chicago-based educator Dr. Blondean Y. Davis has raised money to support the work of UNCF and students of color to fulfill their dreams of attending college.

The former chief of schools and regions of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Davis was responsible for the management of seven regions and 601 schools. She served as the chairperson for the CPS employee campaign for UNCF. Through those efforts, she helped to raise more than $10 million that helped more than 4,000 students to receive scholarships to attend college.

After retiring from CPS after 30 years of service, Davis’s passion for educating children led her to become the superintendent of Matteson School District 162 in 2002 and in 2010 to take on the challenge of opening a new high school.

Davis is the founder and CEO of the predominantly African American Southland College Prep Charter High School, the only charter high school to earn the state of Illinois’ highest designation of “exemplary.” The school has 100% college acceptance for its 10 graduating classes, whose members earned nearly $350 million in scholarships.

Recognized nationally for her vision and leadership in education reform and raising student achievement levels, Davis is possibly the only African American woman to lead a public elementary school district while also acting as a pro bono CEO of a successful charter high school.

Davis is a member of the board of trustees of Tougaloo College in Mississippi. In 2023, she organized suburban school district superintendents to join forces with UNCF to sponsor a scholarship gala that raised more than $200,000.

The success of UNCF, its member HBCUs and all HBCUs is driven by committed and conscientious supporters like Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, who firmly believe that “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”^® and work to ensure better futures for us all.