Chair | Dr. Yolanda Majors
Hurston Institute for Learning & Development
Dr. Yolanda J. Majors (she/her) is the Founder and Director of The Hurston Institute for Learning & Development, MN. and an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois in Learning Sciences. She has been an Assistant Professor of Education at The University of Georgia, Athens, Associate Professor of Education with the University of Illinois, Chicago, and Visiting Associate Professor of Education with the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with her most recent academic role as Associate Director of the Minnesota Center for Reading Research. She has 23 years of experience focusing on learning within and across K-12 and non-school-based learning experiences. Dr. Majors has led the design, implementation, and evaluation of various institutional learning programs to understand how individuals and organizations transform through social, institutional, and cultural engagements. Dr. Majors is a member of the Academics Committee
Treasurer | Robbie Soskin
Yum! Kitchen and Bakery
Robbie Soskin (he/him) is an entrepreneur and business leader. He has served as President of MOBE, LLC, President of Ovative/group, CEO and owner of Compass Marketing, and President of Weisman Enterprises. Mr. Soskin was also formerly a trial lawyer and partner at Winthrop & Weinstine. He now serves on the Advisory Board of US Bank, as a Director of Hospitality Minnesota, and as a Director of Intergenerational Living & Healthcare, Inc. Mr. Soskin received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife Patti have four children, Zach, Maddie, and Jorie, and his wife Stephanie, and two grandchildren, Riley and Parker. Mr. Soskin is board treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee, and chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee.
Secretary | Charles Braman
Charlie Braman (he/him) is a values-driven, impact-oriented community leader and social entrepreneur with 17+ years of experience working to create equitable access to opportunity in historically underserved communities. Charlie specializes in creating and maintaining inclusive cultures and rallying diverse stakeholders around strategic priorities. Charlie is focused on building, inspiring, and partnering with diverse coalitions across sectors to create long-term, sustainable solutions to problems caused by the systemic denial of access and opportunity. Charlie’s professional journey has included time as a managing director at Teach For America, a teacher and an administrator at KIPP charter schools, and as the co-founder and CEO of Braman Brothers Real Estate, LLP, a social venture dedicated to creating access to safe, affordable and ethically managed housing across the Twin Cities. Charlie currently resides in Edina with his wife, Shamayne, and their daughter, Chloe.
Director | Jose Gomez
Hiawatha Academies Parent
Originally from Mexico, Jose Gomez has been living in Minnesota for over 16 years. He has been with Hiawatha as a parent for 7 years. As part of the Hiawatha Family Association, over the years he has had the pleasure of being part of different initiatives such as the envisioning of the then new high school building and culture, programs like Happy Saturdays, and Family Academy, among others. Mr. Gomez is currently part of the Family and Community Engagement Committee and represents the Family Association. His goal is to provide a voice for all Hiawatha families.
Director | Eric Hanson
Hiawatha Academies Parent
Eric Hanson (he/him) grew up in Richfield and lived on the East Side of St. Paul for over 10 years before moving to South Minneapolis in 2016. Mr. Hanson has two children who attend Hiawatha schools. He is excited to serve as a parent representative and learn more about how our schools operate to become a better advocate for students and families. Having worked in healthcare for over 20 years, his passion lies in mental, physical, and nutritional health as well as the personal safety of students. Mr. Hanson is a member of the Finance and Facilities Committee.
Director | Dr. Abdul Sannie-Ariyibi
Hiawatha Academies Teacher
Dr. Abdul Sannie-Ariyibi (he/him) is a father of two young adults, one son and one daughter. Abdul has an extensive background in instructional leadership, curriculum development, and school culture-building. He demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, academic excellence, and community engagement. Over the past thirteen years, he served as Principal-on-Assignment, Assistant Principal, and instructional leader, managing all aspects of middle and high school operations including staff supervision, professional development, PBIS implementation, and curriculum alignment. Abdul’s academic credentials include master’s degrees in education, international relations, and educational leadership. Prior to his career in education, he served as the Midwest Regional Director for Student Veterans of America for three years, where he advocated veterans’ educational access and led regional initiatives. Additionally, he spent six years as lead analyst at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC.
Director | Ian Black
Needham & Company
Ian Black (he/him) is an Equity Research Associate at Needham & Company, where he analyzes publicly traded software companies. He has also served on the Planning Board of Brookline and the Golden Valley Planning Commission. Ian brings financial expertise and a strong interest in early literacy education to the Hiawatha Academies Board of Directors. Ian earned a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Finance and a master's degree in Economics from Boston College. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Director | Raphael Gang
Stand Together Trust
Raphael Gang works to ensure that all families, especially those with the fewest options, have access to schools and learning environments that meet their needs. Throughout his career, he has helped create the conditions for that kind of choice, from supporting charter schools and other school choice initiatives at the Louisiana Department of Education to coaching early-stage education entrepreneurs at 4.0 Schools, a national accelerator for education innovation. Raphael has supported the growth of two school networks and brings a practitioner’s perspective as a former elementary school teacher. Today, he serves as a Program Officer, investing in founders, organizations, and policy conditions that expand educational opportunities for students and families. As a father of two, Raphael believes strongly that if we want a future of learning that serves all children, we must work together to build it.
