Keisha Wilkins, a wife and mother of three, was born and raised in Philadelphia. She attended West Chester University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. While working as a juvenile therapist, Keisha’s passion to work with youth landed her a position as Literacy Intern with the School District of Philadelphia in 2001.
She went on to earn a M.S in Elementary Education from Saint Joseph’s University in 2003 and a M.S Ed. in Educational Administration from Gwynedd-Mercy University in 2006, where she is currently pursuing an Ed. D in Educational Leadership.
Keisha has worked for the School District of Philadelphia in several capacities including gifted education Teacher, Dean of Students, Instructional Coach, and currently, as the Principal of The Promise Academy at Martin Luther King high school.
Keisha is an avid runner and CrossFit enthusiast, who has run over 100 5k’s, 10k’s, half-marathons, full marathons and a 31 mille ultra-marathon.
Principal Wilkins is also a Board Director on The Cheyney Foundation and West Chester University Black Alumni Council. Wilkins understood the necessity of HBCUs to include a perspective of how you’re personally shaped with the experience of going to a school where you don’t have to code-switch.
HBCU’s offer self-love, efficacy and support from Professors and staff that understand the importance of knowing your worth!” Being on the board of The Cheyney Foundation gives her a unique perspective on the genesis of HBCUs, considering Cheyney was the very first one.
Wilkins’s own experience of having to fight for representation is mitigated by the work she’s doing now, to make sure young Black people have a space where that’s not necessary. She feels that “HBCU’s give students of color an opportunity to study, learn and grow in a space where you are not chided for dressing a certain way; how you choose to wear your hair, or how you pronounce your name.
In order to instill a positive future for HBCUs, Wilkins feels that we need to heighten the standards in regards to standardized testing scores and application protocol and required materials. In addition to this, Keisha Wilkins cites community college relationships as a good means to reach out to more young Black people looking to continue their education.
