LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Samuel Agyarko was nominated by a parent of a student, Markena Peavy.

"Samuel Agyarko Jr. is a spiritually driven child of Ghanaian immigrants," said Peavy. "He is a successful product of Chicago's inner city and public school system. When he began teaching in the urban community, he recognized the leadership deficit that many students faced. He was compelled to act."

"In pursuing higher education, Mr. Agyarko earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science with a minor in Economics. He is Illinois State Board Certified in Business, Computer Science, and Technology. As a lover of knowledge, he pursued his Master's in Educational Leadership to further his understanding of what is necessary to be an academic leader. In addition, he has 44 of 63 hours completed for a Doctoral Program rooted in STEM, as well as 14+ years of teaching experience at the elementary and secondary level in the Jeffrey Manor, Englewood & South Holland communities, respectively," said Peavy.

"As a product of the Hip-Hop generation, he understood the assignment and the importance of culturally responsive efforts to engage students. Mr. Agyarko has accepted the charge to expedite young men's and young women's development. He hopes to create thought-provoking, conscious conversations for the masses by building leaders. We needed CS exposure for our student learners, and he provided a virtual workshop during the pandemic," said Peavy.