We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sanidia Oliver Stone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sanidia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The story of a risk I took began with a profound realization during my teaching career in Atlanta. I had spent several years in both public and private school settings, witnessing the glaring inequities that persist in our educational system, particularly for children of color. This realization was like a spark, igniting a fire within me to create a lasting change. It was during this time that I decided to embark on a journey that would change my life and the lives of countless children: founding The Morgan Oliver School (MOS).

The risk I took was not merely an entrepreneurial venture; it was a passionate commitment to reshaping education through the lens of social justice and equity. The context was the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed and exacerbated educational disparities, especially for marginalized communities. While many schools were transitioning to remote learning, I was determined to provide an in-person alternative educational model that could bridge these gaps and offer hope in challenging times.

This endeavor was no small feat. I had never founded a nonprofit, let alone a school. I had to wear multiple hats – educator, administrator, fundraiser, and advocate. The risk involved not only my career but also my personal life, as I was also mother to two children and partner.

One of the most significant risks we took was committing to in-person learning throughout the pandemic. To do this responsibly, we consulted healthcare professionals, developed safety protocols, and ensured every child’s needs were met. Even after vaccines became available, some parents believed our mask-wearing and vaccine policies should change. We faced a divergence of opinions within our school community, making this risk particularly challenging to navigate. But we remained steadfast in our commitment to safety and equity.

Financial sustainability was another major risk. We needed resources and support to make MOS a reality. Fortunately, we garnered the trust and generosity of visionary donors and partners like RSF Social Finance, The Kendeda Fund, Dobbs Foundation and the VELA Education Fund. It was through these partnerships that we were able to secure the necessary funding and support.

This risk has been a journey filled with triumphs and challenges. We celebrated our accreditation as a school and our membership in NAIS, milestones that validated our mission and opened up new avenues for growth and collaboration. The risk we took has led to recognition from various media sources nationwide, further amplifying our commitment to reshaping education.

While this journey has been demanding, it has been profoundly rewarding. It’s a testament to the power of risk-taking when driven by a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to change. The risk I took in founding MOS has not only changed my life but has also empowered future generations of students to become advocates for social justice and equity. This journey is far from over, and I look forward to the continued impact we will make together.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

While I am currently the founder, Head of School and driving force behind The Morgan Oliver School- it certainly didn’t happen because I knew I always wanted to start a school- or even go into education. My journey into the field of education was not a typical one. I grew up on a farm in rural Washington State, coming from a working poor multiracial family. My early life was marred by experiences of extreme racism and economic hardship, which instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to help create a better world for children. My personal experiences, including being a first-generation college student, Teach For America Corps member, and a full-time school teacher while pursuing my Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree at night, gave me invaluable insights into the educational disparities faced by children, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. After working in public schools for two years and transitioning to private schools in Atlanta for five years, I witnessed firsthand the inequities in our education system.

This journey, coupled with my belief in the power of education to effect positive change, led me to establish The Morgan Oliver School (MOS). MOS is more than a school; it’s a mission-driven organization committed to reshaping education through a lens of social justice and equity. We specialize in providing a holistic, anti-racist, and dual-language curriculum that nurtures not only academic excellence but also a deep sense of community, belonging, and empowerment.

Our primary focus is to solve the pressing problem of educational disparities, especially for children of color. We believe that education should be a force for positive change in the lives of children and families, and we’ve made it our mission to bridge these gaps.

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to in-person education even during the COVID-19 pandemic, our dedication to safety, and our refusal to compromise on our values. We’ve also successfully navigated the complex landscape of nonprofit management, fundraising, compliance, and the art of building educational programs from the ground up.

One of my proudest achievements is being recognized as Agnes Scott College’s Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year in 2023. This acknowledgment, along with invitations to speak at prestigious events like SXSW along with local and national media recognition, showcases the impact that MOS is making in the field of education and the micro school movement.

I want prospective families, followers, and fans to know that MOS is not just a school; it’s a movement. We’re cultivating not just students but future leaders who will champion social justice and equity. We’re here to inspire others to reimagine education and create bold, brave, and inclusive educational spaces. Together, we’re working toward a world where every child has their basic needs met and the opportunity to flourish.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Certainly, I’d be delighted to share a pivotal moment in my journey. It was a juncture where I had to make a significant shift, and it ultimately led to the creation of The Morgan Oliver School.

The turning point occurred during my time as a schoolteacher in Atlanta. I had spent several years working in both public and private schools, and while I was passionate about teaching and helping students, I couldn’t ignore the glaring disparities in education, particularly for children of color.

This moment was the catalyst for a significant pivot in my life and career. I knew that I couldn’t just continue teaching in the traditional system. I had a calling, a vision, and a responsibility to create something better—a school that would not only provide academic excellence but also tackle the root causes of these disparities, promoting equity, social justice, and empowerment.

I decided to take the leap and founded The Morgan Oliver School. This was an audacious move, as I had never founded a nonprofit organization before, and I certainly didn’t have formal training in doing so. My background was as a dedicated teacher, not an entrepreneur. But I knew that if I didn’t act, I would be ignoring the call to make a tangible difference in the lives of children who needed it most.

The journey was filled with challenges. I had to navigate complex compliance issues, grapple with the growing pains of rapid expansion, and learn the intricate art of grant writing and nonprofit management. At times, it felt like I was juggling multiple roles simultaneously, from building websites to ensuring HR compliance to continuing my work in the classroom as a teacher and school administrator.

But throughout this process, I learned invaluable lessons about humility and grace. I learned to lean on my network, friends, and mentors for support. I also learned what it looks like when, as a business owner make decisions that have lasting impacts. I’ve learned not to mix friendships with business if at all possible and most importantly, I learned to be humble and apologize when necessary, as starting this school was the most challenging endeavor I’d ever undertaken. When you choose leadership you’ve gotta eat that humble pie every time. No one is going to feel bad for the boss- but they will call you out if you make a mistake. Intent vs impact matters little when you’re managing people’s lives. As a leader, it’s always on you at the end of the day.

These formative moments of learning in real time not only reshaped my career but also transformed me as a person. It reinforced my belief in the power of education to bring about positive change and instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to address educational disparities head-on- regardless (and sometimes because of) of social pressures, high powered parents or traditional, well worn approaches to running a school. I’ve learned to always center the most marginalized- who are the folks not in the room and what would their perspective be? It’s a journey that’s far from over, but I’m excited to see where it leads us next as we continue to inspire change, one child at a time, at The Morgan Oliver School.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Certainly, resilience has been a hallmark of my journey, and there’s a story that vividly illustrates this quality.

In the early stages of founding The Morgan Oliver School, we faced numerous challenges. We were (and still are by many measures) a fledgling nonprofit with limited resources, and we had to navigate the complexities of education, nonprofit management, and social justice advocacy simultaneously.

One of the most significant hurdles was securing funding to sustain and grow the school. We relied heavily on the generosity of donors and partners who believed in our mission. However, as a new and unproven organization, we often encountered skepticism and hesitancy from potential supporters.

There was a pivotal moment when we were on the verge of securing a substantial grant from a foundation that could have been a game-changer for our school. The grant would have allowed us to expand our programs, reach more students, and make a more significant impact on educational equity.

But just when it seemed like success was within reach, we received word that the foundation had chosen to allocate their funding to more established organizations. It was a crushing blow, and I felt a profound sense of disappointment and frustration.

However, this setback did not deter us. Instead, it fueled our determination to find alternative sources of support. We intensified our efforts to engage with the community, build partnerships, and seek out individuals and organizations who shared our vision.

We hosted fundraising events, reached out to local businesses, and leveraged social media to raise awareness about our mission. We rallied our team, students, and their families to become advocates for our cause. Through sheer persistence and unwavering belief in our mission, we began to see small but meaningful contributions trickle in.

Over time, these contributions added up, and we were able to sustain our operations and even expand our reach. We learned the art of resilience through adversity, and it became a defining characteristic of our organization.

This experience taught us that setbacks are an inevitable part of any meaningful endeavor. What truly matters is how we respond to them. It’s our ability to bounce back, adapt, and keep moving forward that defines our resilience.

Today, The Morgan Oliver School continues to thrive, thanks to the resilience and determination of our entire community. We’ve demonstrated that setbacks are not roadblocks but rather opportunities to learn, grow, and become stronger advocates for educational equity and social justice.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.morganoliverschool.org
• Instagram: morganoliverschool
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morganoliverschool/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanidia-oliver-b705581b3/
• Youtube: @morganoliverschooladmissio3099