Dr. Eric Mayes

Dr. Eric Mayes is the CEO of Umoja Community Education Foundation. He has served as a Co-Principal Investigator for a $22.8 million U.S. Department of Education grant aimed at improving student outcomes in under-resourced schools. Previously, he was a Vice President at Lawrence University and Founding Executive Director of the Arkansas Academy for Educational Equity. Dr. Mayes' research explores how culture influences cognition and learning, with a focus on culturally responsive education. He holds advanced degrees from Harvard, Howard University, and the University of Michigan, where he was also a National Championship football team co-captain. Dr. Mayes has led national initiatives at the Children's Defense Fund and served in faculty and leadership roles at multiple universities.