Date/Time
Saturday, May 17, 2025
2:00 PM EDT - 4:00 PM EDT
Location:
Bank Street College of Education
610 West 112th Street
New York, NY 10025
Event Title:
Alumni of Color Reception
“Leading with Purpose: Alumni of Color Shaping Education & Community”
Description:
As part of Bank Street Alumni Weekend 2025, join us at the annual Alumni of Color Reception to celebrate the impact and leadership of Bank Street alumni transforming education and communities. This year, we spotlight three extraordinary changemakers—Dr. Asya Johnson, GSE ’12,’24; Dr. Elaine Ruiz-López, GSE ’84; and Dr. Anju J. Rupchandani, GSE ’14—who are breaking barriers and advancing equity in schools and beyond. Keep scrolling to learn more about our honorees.
From mentoring underserved youth to founding groundbreaking schools, these visionary leaders will share their journeys, challenges, and insights on driving meaningful change. Engage in powerful conversations, connect with fellow alumni and educators, and be part of a community committed to educational justice.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network, celebrate, and be inspired by the leadership of alumni of color making a lasting impact.
Contact:
Alumni Relations Office
alumni@bankstreet.edu
RSVP:
This event is part of Bank Street Alumni Weekend 2025. To RSVP, follow the link below. For this event, RSVP is required.
Click here to RSVP
About the Honorees
Dr. Asya Johnson is an accomplished educator with 19 years of experience dedicated to equity and culturally responsive education. She is the creator and founding principal of HBCU Early College Prep, the first of its kind in a major metropolitan city. Dr. Johnson’s leadership transformed Longwood Preparatory Academy in the South Bronx, moving it from a persistently struggling school to Good Standing status. Her work includes promoting Culturally Responsive Pedagogical Practices, mentoring doctoral students, and advocating for equity in education. Dr. Johnson has collaborated with organizations like the St. John’s University Institute for Critical Race & Ethnic Studies and the African American Policy Forum’s CRT Summer School. A proud graduate of Delaware State University, an HBCU, she also holds advanced degrees from Drexel University and Bank Street Graduate School of Education. Recognized for her impact, Dr. Johnson has received the Bank Street College Alumni Recognition Award and is a Cahn Fellow for Distinguished Principals.
Dr. Elaine Ruiz-Lopez is the founder and CEO of the International Leadership Charter High School. A South Bronx native and first-generation Puerto Rican, she has worked in education since 1980, holding leadership roles in public schools and universities. She earned her doctorate from Teachers College at Columbia University and degrees from Bank Street Graduate School of Education and The City College of New York. In 2005, she founded International Leadership Charter High School to provide an academically rigorous college-prep education, achieving a 95% four-year graduation rate. The school has received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report and expanded to include a middle school in 2024. Dr. Ruiz-Lopez has been honored for her contributions to education, including awards from El Diario, the Bronx Borough President, and the Black Latinx Asian Charter Coalition. She is also chair of the Latino Charter Leaders Roundtable.
Dr. Anju J. Rupchandani is the executive director of Zone 126, dedicated to supporting youth in District 30, where she herself attended public school. Born in the Bronx and raised in Astoria/Long Island City, she began her career in youth development as a high school tutor, fueling her passion for education equity. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree from Pace University, a master’s from Bank Street Graduate School of Education, and a doctorate from NYU’s Steinhardt School, where her research focused on chronic absenteeism among students in public housing. With expertise in program design, grants management, and community partnerships, she works to improve long-term educational outcomes, particularly for children in public and temporary housing.