Ebonie Durham

Ebonie Durham is the Executive Director of Great Lakes Academy, a K–8 public charter school serving Chicago’s South Side. A third-generation Chicagoan and longtime education leader, Ebonie has spent her career expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities and building environments where young people can thrive academically, socially, and personally. She is a Pahara Fellow and Chicago Leadership Circle Fellow and serves on the board of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. Ebonie holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is deeply committed to the role that schools, communities, and enrichment opportunities—including athletics—can play in developing confident, connected, and prepared young people.