Board of Directors

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 | Dr. Alicia Muñoz
Macalester College
Dr. Alicia Muñoz (she/her)  is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Macalester College. She is originally from East Los Angeles and is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She is thrilled to have now taught two Hiawatha graduates at Macalester. Dr. Muñoz is the chair of the Family and Community Engagement Committee.

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 | Jabari Bunch
Hiawatha Academies Teacher
Jabari Bunch (he/him) was born on a naval base in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was raised in Snellville, Georgia. He is the son of an immigrant and a first-generation college graduate. His salient identities are Black, Male, and Gay; in that order, all the identities are tied for first place. He has a deep understanding of existing in marginalized communities and lends a critical eye to systems that fail to recognize the intersectional nature of its existence. He attended Tusculum College and received a liberal arts education, culminating in earning his BA in Biology with a minor in creative writing.

Director | Remesha Williams 
Hiawatha Academies Teacher
Remesha Williams (she/her) is going into my second year as a Special Education teacher for K-4 at HLA-N. She is originally from Southern Illinois. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English from Storm Lake, Iowa. Her passion is advocating for those who cannot do so for themselves. She is a natural caregiver and she aspires to pour joy and knowledge into others. She has two beautiful daughters, ages eight and one. She enjoys spending time and making new memories with family and friends.