FIS Welcomes Dr. James C. Bridgeforth to its Board of Directors

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Families In Schools (FIS) is pleased to announce the newest member to its Board of Directors, Dr. James C. Bridgeforth. As a leader in the community schools movement and a strong believer in elevating family and community voice in education policy and practice, James brings tremendous talent, passion, and commitment to FIS.

“We are thrilled to welcome James to the board of Families In Schools,” said Dr. Tommy Chang, chair of the board. “Not only does James come to us with a strong academic and research background in family and community engagement, but he also brings lived experience that reflects the realities of so many of our students. We are truly fortunate to have him join our board and mission.”

President and CEO, Yolie Flores, added: “Dr. Bridgeforth’s dedication to fostering meaningful partnerships between families and schools aligns perfectly with our mission at Families In Schools. His unique perspective and expertise will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to create stronger partnerships toward more inclusive and supportive educational environments for all students and their families. We are excited to embark on this new chapter with James and look forward to the valuable contributions he will bring to our organization.”

Dr. James C. Bridgeforth

Dr. James C. Bridgeforth is an educator, researcher, and policy advocate. His research and teaching focus on community voice in education policy and governance, as well as the politics of educational leadership. His work specifically attends to manifestations of racism and antiblackness in schools. James is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware and a Faculty Affiliate at the Community Schools Learning Exchange.

James began his professional experience in education as a college admissions officer and later transitioned to a career in K-12 education as an elementary school teacher and leader. His scholarship, recognized by the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, has been published in academic journals such as the Journal of School Leadership, Education Policy Analysis Archives, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, and Educational Administration Quarterly. James has also shared his work in national media outlets including Education Week and The Washington Post.

He holds a PhD in Urban Education Policy (University of Southern California ’23), an MEd in Educational Administration and Policy (University of Georgia ’17), and a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology (Georgia College & State University ’13).