Schools
Yolo County Superintendent Named to ‘Black Change Maker’ List
Superintendent Garth Lewis was named one of the 'Top 25 Black Change Makers' in the Sacramento area by the Sacramento Bee
Woodland, CA - On Tuesday, Yolo County Superintendent Garth Lewis was named to the Sacramento Bee’s list of ‘Top 25 Black Change Makers’ in the Sacramento region.
In the announcement, the Sacramento Bee said the roster includes “individuals in the Sacramento area who have transformed communities through leadership, innovation, altruism, and style.”
Lewis has served as county superintendent for the past four years. He was elected to his first term in June 2018 and is the first African-American to be elected as county superintendent in Yolo County.
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When asked about his selection, Lewis said, “I think about all those who have come before me who have demonstrated the leadership and commitment to ensure that African Americans are recognized as full Americans and can participate in all this country has to offer – from education to voting to the pursuit of happiness. For me to be recognized as a Black change maker, it’s an honor and it’s humbling. I pray to God that I continue to live up to the title.”
With a 26-year career in education, Lewis has served as a paraeducator, teacher, principal, district administrator, and assistant superintendent at the county office of education. He and his wife, Maria, have two daughters.
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The county superintendent is elected by the voters of Yolo County. The county superintendent provides leadership, collaboration, support, and state-designated fiscal and program oversight for the county’s five school districts and approximately 30,000 students.
Other local officials named to the list include Porsche Middleton, mayor of Citrus Heights; Garrett Gatewood, mayor of Rancho Cordova; Chinua Rhodes, vice president of the Sacramento City Unified School Board; and Alana Mathews, candidate for Sacramento district attorney.
The ‘Top 25 Black Change Makers’ list is a partnership between the Sacrament Bee’s Equity Lab and the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program. The Sacramento Bee launched the Equity Lab in 2020, which provided a team of community-funded journalists focused on serving communities long neglected by mainstream media.