Nationally known as the Hip Hop Principal, Dr. Shango A. Blake-CEO of TRU SK Consultants, LLC is a much sought-after speaker about issues in urban education; from pioneering unique collaborations between students, teachers, parents, and the community towards creating and sustaining a vibrant academic atmosphere, to his successful tenure as a New York City Principal, he has proven to be a true renaissance educator. As a Principal, Dr. Blake saw a profound need to institute drastic and creative changes to improve his school’s failing health. Dr. Blake initiated a bold and daring self-created project to integrate a conceptualized Hip Hop based educational program. This program led to the creation of:

• A new curriculum model that included teacher development, parent involvement, and school/community collaboration.
• His school went from one of the lowest-performing schools in the district to number one in reading and math.
• As a result, Dr. Blake has been featured on Oprah Winfrey, People Magazine, 98.7 Kiss FM, The Joey Reynolds Show, WABC channel 7 news, and WCBS Channel 2 interviewed Dr. Blake.

As Chair of the Education and Youth Committee of the Million Man March Coordinating Council of Queens, Dr. Shango Blake has been responsible for:

• The exposure and placement of hundreds of high school students to Historically Black College and Universities
• Resolving  violent conflicts between rival gang members
• Organizing Youth Empowerment Days

In addition, for his innovative work in urban educational reform, the Mayor of Yonkers, The City Council of Yonkers, and The Westchester County Legislators honored Dr. Blake. He also received three proclamations citing June 6, 2001 as Shango Blake Day.

Dr. Blake is a triple alumnus from CNR graduating in 1993 with his undergrad and then earning two Graduate degrees, one in 1996 and his second in 2011.