Jamila Sams - Board Chair

Jamila Sams, Ed.M. is an educator with over 20 years of experience working with youth of all ages and backgrounds. Her areas of expertise include educational leadership, youth development, nonprofit management and strategic partnership development.

As the founder of Go to Ms. Sams Inc., Jamila works tirelessly to provide services to educators, nonprofit professionals, and members of the business community around three core areas: School Climate and Culture; Youth Program Development and Training; and Strategic Partnership Development. Clients include the Maryland State Department of Education; the New York City Department of Education; QLIK Corporation; Mentor Foundation USA, The University of Maryland Baltimore, Mentor International, and El Desafio (The Challenge) in Rosario, Argentina.

Jamila has been a featured speaker for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the National Gathering for the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color, and the Center for the Promotion of Social Emotional Learning National Conference. Jamila’s breakout TEDX entitled: “Why Are You” has been viewed over 900 times to date. Jamila recently launched the We Do it for the Culture™ Curriculum; a culturally responsive social emotional learning curriculum grounded in hip hop culture for grades 6-12. Ms. Sams is a proud native of Philadelphia, a self-proclaimed hip-hop head and a first-generation college graduate of Lincoln University. She obtained her Master’s degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and serves on the executive board of Words Beats & Life in Washington, DC.