Sharif El-Mekki

Founder and CEO

Sharif.El-Mekki@thecenterblacked.org

Sharif founded the Center Black Educator Development (CBED) in 2019, an extension of the Fellowship—Black Male Educators for Social Justice—a group Sharif helped create in 2014. CBED expands efforts to recruit and maintain Black male and female educators both locally and nationally.

Sharif has been an educator since 1993. Prior to becoming a director, Sharif served as principal, assistant principal, lead teacher for Art & Music Academy, Gifted spanish teacher, 6th grade science teacher, and 8th grade literature/social studies teacher. Sharif grew up in Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School. During his career, Sharif has served as a 2013 U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador Fellow and America Achieves Fellow. In addition, he received citations from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives. Sharif blogs at Philly’s 7th Ward and serves on the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on African American Males as well as Excellent Schools PA.