Sondra Samuels, Janell Decker and the Mission Economic Development Agency recognized at event in Atlanta, Georgia
September 18, 2025
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — At the 2025 Cradle to Career Network Convening in Atlanta, StriveTogether honored three outstanding leaders and organizations driving transformational change in their communities.
StriveTogether presented the Bill Henningsgaard Cradle to Career Champion Award to Sondra Samuels of the Northside Achievement Zone in Minneapolis; the Cheryl Broadnax Award for Innovation and Results to Janell Decker of Racine Unified School District in Wisconsin; and the Nancy Zimpher Courage in Leadership Award to the Mission Economic Development Agency in San Francisco, California.
Bill Henningsgaard Cradle to Career Champion Award
Sondra Samuels | Northside Achievement Zone, Minneapolis, Minneapolis
Sondra Samuels, co-founder, president and CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), has dedicated the last 25 years of her career to the youth and families of North Minneapolis. Under her leadership, NAZ unites 40 partner organizations, creating a seamless pipeline of resources from prenatal care through profession. She has made family voice and agency a cornerstone, ensuring parents are leaders in shaping their children’s success.
Through Family Academy and Scholar Success Coaching, NAZ equips scholars and their parents with tools to succeed academically while creating an achievement-focused mindset at home. Last year, NAZ scholars graduated high school at a rate of 86%, surpassing both the statewide average of 83% and the Minneapolis Public Schools average of 74%. Beyond Minneapolis, Samuels co-founded the Education Partnerships Coalition (EPC) of Minnesota. The EPC has played a critical role in securing $36 million in bipartisan state funding (to date) and matching those dollars six to one. Samuels’ work proves the transformative potential of place-based partnerships.
Cheryl Broadnax Award for Innovation and Results
Janell Decker | Racine Unified School District, Racine, Wisconsin
As chief academic officer of Racine Unified School District in Racine, Wisconsin, Janell Decker has transformed how the district approaches student success. Since 2017, she has championed continuous improvement practices that embed opportunity and accountability across all levels of work. Teachers, principals and district leaders now use cycles of data to identify barriers and test solutions, building a culture of innovation and transparency.
Her leadership has yielded measurable improvements, from rethinking literacy instruction to expanding access to advanced coursework. By collaborating closely with families and community partners, Decker ensures the district’s strategies are both evidence-based and community-driven. Her courage and creativity reflect the spirit of Cheryl Broadnax, positioning Racine as a national example of how districts can reimagine K-12 education for every student.
Nancy Zimpher Courage in Leadership Award
Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) | San Francisco, California
The Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) has created a bold model of place-based transformation in San Francisco’s Mission District. Its cradle-to-career approach spans prenatal support, early learning, K-12 education, college access and economic opportunity to open pathways for low-income Latino families. MEDA is pioneering the nation’s first Promise City, setting a national precedent for integrated community development.
Beyond San Francisco, MEDA’s leadership extends to state advocacy and national technical assistance, helping other communities replicate its strategies. From expanding early education to launching new college and career pathways, MEDA shows courageous leadership by taking bold risks, scaling innovation and shifting systems. These efforts highlight the power of the Cradle to Career Network to spark lasting change.
About StriveTogether
StriveTogether is a national network of community partnerships that bring together neighbors, including youth and families, nonprofits, businesses, schools and more, to work toward a future where youth can thrive in their communities. Cradle to Career Network members change the way their communities work together by building connections, sharing resources and using data to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. Our work helps young people meet seven key life milestones so that they have the opportunities they need to reach their goals, and, ultimately, thrive. To learn more, visit StriveTogether.org.