TEAM

Karla E. Vigil

CO -FOUNDER & CHIEF CONNECTOR

As co-founder and chief connector for EduLeaders of Color Rhode Island, Karla oversees the creative vision and all the development of the organization’s initiatives. Karla also works as a District and School Design (DSD) Senior Associate at the Center for Collaborative Education where she works as a thought partner in the development of frameworks and resources centered on equity, culturally responsive teaching, and personalized learning. Prior to joining CCE, she was an Education Strategies Specialist with Highlander Institute where she supported the implementation of culturally responsive teaching with blended and personalized learning initiatives in classrooms across Rhode Island. She also served as a 4th-grade classroom teacher dedicated to broadening students' perspectives through multicultural and social justice education.

Karla also serves as the founding board chair of the Wangari Maathai Community School. She is a Deeper Learning Equity Fellow and is deeply committed to promoting equity in education. She regularly leads workshops on culturally responsive teaching and diversity and equity in education.

She earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching with a focus on social justice and multicultural education from Roger Williams University through the Gordon Teacher Residency Program. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island.

Carlon Howard

CO -FOUNDER

Carlon is the executive director of Breakthrough Providence where he oversees program strategy and implementation and is the co-founder of EduLeaders of Color RI - an initiative that aims to support education leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.

Prior to his current role, Carlon served with City Year Providence as an Impact Manager where he oversaw the implementation of the Whole School Whole Child service model at a local elementary school. He also served one year as a City Year Providence AmeriCorps member, taught 5th grade math as a Teach for America corps member, and was an Urban Leaders Fellow under Colorado State Senator Mike Johnston.

Carlon graduated from the University of Georgia with undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science. During his time at the University of Georgia, Carlon led several student organizations, was a Richard B. Russell Leadership Fellow, and was recognized as Pandora Yearbook’s Outstanding Senior Leader. He completed a graduate degree in education from Rhode Island College and was a member of the New Leaders Council Rhode Island class of 2017.