The Power of Representative Boards: How Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed is Advancing Student Opportunities in Richmond Public Schools

At School Board Partners, we know that real change in public education starts with leaders who are deeply committed to student success, opportunity, and representation. Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed, a SBP alum and school board member for Richmond Public Schools (RPS) since 2021, has been a champion in ensuring that every student—regardless of background—receives the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

RPS serves roughly 22,000 students from a range of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite the make-up of the district's student body, a major issue continues to be a lack of teachers that represent the students in their classrooms. Research shows that this can have a profound effect on student success and without representative educators and leaders, students of color often face biased practices, lower expectations, and fewer opportunities—all of which contribute to persistent achievement gaps.

As a woman of color, Dr. Harris-Muhammed understands that issues of representation must be directly confronted in order to truly create an effective, supportive learning environment for all students. Using her experience and perspective to inform her role as a board member at RPS, Dr. Harris-Muhammed recognized that the district needed a bold plan to examine and tackle new and innovative practices within its schools.

In response to these needs, Dr. Harris-Muhammed led the charge in crafting a comprehensive resolution for RPS, grounded in data and best practices, to set a clear path for identifying and eliminating barriers that negatively impact students, teachers, and staff.

Key components of the resolution include:

• Systemic Policy Review: A structured timeline for assessing district policies to identify and correct inadequate practices.

• Increased Representation: A commitment to hiring and retaining a teaching workforce that more accurately reflects the student population.

• Stronger Board Collaboration: A focus on improving communication and cooperation among board members to ensure all members continue to hold a shared vision.

• Accountability Measures: Clear expectations for district leadership to implement and track the effectiveness of new and revised policies.

While the resolution’s full impact is still unfolding, Dr. Harris-Muhammed’s leadership has already sparked important conversations and actions in RPS. By pushing for greater accountability and transparency, she is setting the stage for long-term change that will benefit students, educators, and families alike. Dr. Harris-Muhammed’s work exemplifies the power of representation and advocacy in school board leadership, and we are proud to highlight leaders like her who are taking meaningful steps to transform education for all students.