Charli Cooksey
St. Louis '09
Prairie View A and M University
Nonprofit & Social Services
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Prairie View A&M, Student Director of Government Relations
Created bills that passed into university law, organized voter registration drives, organized protest marches, organized founding of Young Democrats club, solicited for founders of Young Republicans.
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Teach For America: St. Louis Corps
Charli made the choice to live in the same community as her students to better understand them and become part of their lives and stories.
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Strength Through Awareness & Inclusion, Advisor
As part of TFA’s STAI program, Charli helped the St. Louis region increase student success through building a diverse teacher corps and creating and fostering an expressive and inclusive community.
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inspireSTL, Co-Founder and Director
inspireSTL places talented middle school students from inner-city St. Louis in top college-prep high schools and provides ongoing academic support and guidance to ensure they are successful.
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St. Louis Schools Board of Ed, Elected Member
Charli represents the community’s beliefs and values and advocates for what students need to be academically, socially, emotionally, civically, and financially prepared for success.
Q & A
Why did you decide to join Teach For America?
I felt that it was an organized and strategic way to be effective in the effort to change the education landscape. I knew I would have a support system and learn best practices that would help me move the needle for my students and others.
What surprised you most about your experience teaching?
I was positively shocked about how much support I received. There were so many opportunities for professional development and to work collaboratively with other corps members and alumni. That collaboration led to the development of inspireSTL.
How did your experience as a corps member influence your career path?
It taught me that if we reform education, we can transform the life trajectories of urban youth and empower them to be the leaders that our country needs. When I saw my students’ unlimited potential and realized that their progress is being stunted by our broken system, I knew I had to commit to fighting for them. That’s why I co-founded inspireSTL.