Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity (BranchED)

Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity (BranchED), also known as the MEB Alliance, is a left-of-center advocacy group that seeks to increase minority representation in the teaching sector. Drawing on research from Rutgers University, the National Collaborative on Diversity in the Teaching Force, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, BranchEd seeks to increase minority representation among the teachers in institutions that serve racial and ethnic minorities, citing research that suggest that minority students perform better when their teachers are of the same ethnicity. 1 This group is a recipient of funds from MacKenzie Scott’s multi-billion dollar grant pledge. 2

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3)
Issue Areas: Identity Politics (for race-based policy/activism), Education Policy
Website: www.educatordiversity.org
Formation:

2017

Founder/President:

Cassandra P. Herring

Location: Austin, TX View on map
Tax ID: 81-4012999
Most Recent Filing: 2025
Budget (2025): Assets: $24,708,449 Revenue: $10,377,246 Expenses: $8,975,769

Contents

    Guide to Inclusive Instruction

    BranchED’s online pamphlet “Inclusive Instruction: Rubric & Guide for Implementation” encapsulates the organization’s approach to increasing minority teaching representation. The document centers around the intersection of racial, religious, and gender identities and is broken down into nine sections called “criteria.” Criterion 7 encourages the fostering of “critical perspectives in teacher candidates.” The text states that developing a critique against certain school systems “empowers” the teacher candidate to create a more equitable educational experience for students. It then asserts some systems that are open to critique, which include English-only classrooms, valuation of Whiteness, and “ableness.” Criterion 9 encourages teaching from historical perspectives centered around “marginalized groups” instead of the more common “White, euro-centric” perspective. 3

    The document also encourages teachers to become involved in activism when they witness an injustice, and to work for religious, socioeconomic, and sexual diversity with regard to both to teaching materials they use and those who present them. 3

    Transformation Centers

    BranchEd coordinates a three-year teacher preparation project called Transformation Centers, aimed to improve educator diversity by “explicitly infusing equity into programming.” These programs are aimed at K-12 and college facilities. Participating universities from its second group (known as the second ‘cohort’) include Texas A&M International University, Virginia State University, and Mount St. Mary’s University. 4

    California’s University of La Verne and its Pomona Unified School District are also participants of this program, which includes a $400,000 grant. Part of the strategy included a shift from standardized testing of incoming college students toward a subject “waiver” system to “help knock down structural barriers.” 5

    Research Fellowships and Resources

    In addition to publishing a newsletter and its own research and teacher preparation materials, BranchEd hosts webinars and in-person conventions. BranchEd’s website also hosts a Resource Portal that provides teacher training courses. Topics include “Self-Assessing Linguistic Biases,” “Introduction to Translanguaging in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms,” and “Hegemonies of English and Ways for Teacher Educators to Counter Them in School Settings.” 6

    BranchEd also hosts an Emerging Research Fellows Program, aimed at producing minority scholars, with a focus on those who amplify minority-serving organizations and programs. Fellowships are awarded to post-graduate and working faculty candidates.  All three fellows chosen for 2021-2023 had done post-graduate work centered around racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. 7

    People

    Cassandra P. Herring is the founder and president of BranchEd. She is the former dean of the school of Education and Human development at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. She was a member of the Deans for Impact program in Austin, Texas, a year-long project that sought to produce more effective minority educators. 8

    Frank L. Gettridge is the chairman of the board at BranchEd. He is the executive director at the National Public Education Support Fund, where is he is also former co-chair of the Racial Equity Working Group. Gettridge is also the former National Lead of Program Strategies for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 9

    Financial Statistics

    Total Assets

    Total Revenue

    Total Expenses

    YearTotal AssetsTotal RevenueTotal ExpensesFiling
    2025 $24,708,449 $10,377,246 $8,975,769 View
    2024 $22,869,806 $7,783,974 $7,761,664 View
    2023 $22,716,191 $6,545,310 $6,572,189 View
    2022 $22,314,291 $21,147,131 $6,386,066 View
    2021 $7,858,233 $5,854,098 $3,685,530 View

    Prior year filings: 2020, 2019, 2018

    Revenue Detail

    Expenses Detail

    Employee Compensation

    • Number of Employees: 31

    Highest Earning Employees

    EmployeeTitleTotal Compensation
    Dr Cassandra HerringPRESIDENT & CEO$341,772
    Dr Patricia MchattonCHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER$204,631
    Dr Luzlema CanalesCHIEF OF STAFF$184,362
    Dr Katherine ZimmerDIRECTOR OF BIRCH$146,842
    Amy MurilloDIRECTOR OF EPP TRANSF. SERVICES$139,634
    Christine Ngei Thru Feb 2025VP FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH$127,443
    Ruby Stevens-MorganDIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS$119,296

    Grant Activity

    All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $36,509,263
    • Number of Grants: 64
    • Number of Funders: 23

    Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $3,997,1572020 Gates Foundationto provide capacity building technical assistance to a cohort of minority serving teacher preparation programs
    $3,146,3102021 Gates Foundationto provide capacity building technical assistance to a cohort of minority serving teacher preparation programs
    $2,750,0002024 Gates Foundationto strengthen math teacher preparation and professional learning
    $2,462,5912023 Gates Foundationto provide capacity building technical assistance to a cohort of minority serving teacher preparation programs
    $2,367,5882025 Gates Foundationto support NY districts in strengthening their teacher workforce
    $2,250,0032022 Gates Foundationto provide capacity building technical assistance to a cohort of minority serving teacher preparation programs
    $1,202,5872022 Oak FoundationTo support the Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity (BranchED) in its partnerships with elementary school educator preparation programmes that are working to integrate evidence-based reading instruction.
    $1,100,0002021 Vanguard CharitableFOR RECIPIENT'S EXEM
    $951,5882021 Gates Foundationto support an affordable, sustainable teacher residency program
    $750,0002024 Vanguard CharitableFOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
    $600,0002024 Silicon Valley Community Foundation
    $600,0002022 Silicon Valley Community FoundationEducation
    $600,0002021 Silicon Valley Community Foundation
    $500,0002024 Skyline FoundationGENERAL SUPPORT
    $500,0002023 Skyline FoundationGENERAL SUPPORT
    $500,0002023 The William and Flora Hewlett FoundationFOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    $500,0002021 Chan Zuckerberg Initiative FoundationGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    $400,0002021 W.K. Kellogg Foundationstrengthen and increase the impact of educator preparation at Minority Serving Institutions
    $400,0002021 Walton Family FoundationTo support BranchED to launch a second cohort of its multi-year coaching program with 4 minority serving institutions.
    $400,0002021 Skyline FoundationGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    $400,0002020 Walton Family FoundationTransforming Teacher Preparation for a Changing America
    $375,0002023 Michael & Susan Dell FoundationTechnical Assistance for Minority Service Institution Colleges of Education – Phase 3
    $375,0002020 The William and Flora Hewlett FoundationFOR SUPPORT TO TRAIN EDUCATORS TO DEVELOP AND USE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
    $250,0002022 Charles and Helen Schwab FoundationK-12 Education Reform
    $250,0002021 Michael & Susan Dell FoundationTechnical Assistance for Minority Service Institution Colleges of Education – Phase 3

    All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $6,354,411
    • Number of Grants: 66
    • Number of Recipients: 32

    Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $216,8522023 Alabama A&M UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $203,9662025 Fort Valley State UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $199,5232023 Texas A&m International UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $196,0752023 Virginia State UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $183,8432025 University of San DiegoTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $182,1512023 West Texas A&m UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $160,0002025 California Lutheran UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $151,4572020 South Carolina State UniversityTo strengthen teacher preparation at msis by improving the teaching and learning conditions for all candidates, increasing capacity of the msi to implement a sustainable process of continuous improvement, increasing effectiveness of msi teacher educators and leaders, and, ultimately, increasing the effectiveness of the msi graduates.
    $150,0002025 North Carolina Central UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $146,6502022 Azusa Pacific UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $139,9982024 California Lutheran UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $139,4262022 Pacific Oaks College & Children's SchoolTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $138,5692022 West Texas A&m UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $135,8962022 Virginia State UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $135,4722025 Valdosta State UniveristyTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $134,6792024 University of North Carolina-PembrokeTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $133,3952022 Texas A&m International UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $132,4882022 University of North Carolina at PembrokeTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $131,4882023 University of North Carolina at PembrokeTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $130,8282023 Pacific Oaks College & Children's SchoolTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $129,9302023 Azusa Pacific UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $129,6532022 Mount St Mary's UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $129,1632024 Pacific Oaks College & Children's SchoolTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $128,2822024 Texas A&M University Colonias ProgramTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.
    $123,3792024 Azusa Pacific UniversityTO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION AT MSIS BY IMPROVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES, INCREASING CAPACITY OF THE MSI TO IMPLEMENT A SUSTAINABLE PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF MSI TEACHER EDUCATORS AND LEADERS, AND, ULTIMATELY, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MSI GRADUATES.

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    References

    1.  “What We Know.” BranchEd. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://www.educatordiversity.org/evidence/
    2. Scott, MacKenzie. “Helping Any of Us Can Help Us All.” Medium. March 23, 2021. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://mackenzie-scott.medium.com/helping-any-of-us-can-help-us-all-f4c7487818d9
    3. Lisic, Elizabeth et al. “Inclusive Instruction: Rubric & Guide for Implementation.” BranchEd. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://www.educatordiversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Inclusive-Instruction-Rubric-Implmentation-Guide.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=abfce9c1-3ab3-41bf-8602-cf7338434393
    4.  “Teacher Preparation Programs at Six Minority Serving Institutions Transform Teacher Preparation by Explicitly Infusing Equity into Programming.” BranchEd. Feb. 10, 2021. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://www.educatordiversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Transf-Ctr-Cohort2_.pdf
    5. [1] Rojas, Javier. “University of La Verne Receives $400,000 Grant to Boost Diversity Among Teachers.” Daily Bulletin. February 24, 2021. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/02/24/university-of-la-verne-receives-400000-grant-to-boost-diversity-among-teachers/
    6. “Resource Portal.” BranchEd. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://resources.educatordiversity.org/
    7. “Research.” BranchEd. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://www.educatordiversity.org/emerging-research-fellows/
    8. “Cassandra P. Herring.” Linkedin. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cassandra-herring-8b462415/
    9. “Who We Are.” BranchEd. Accessed December 5, 2022. https://www.educatordiversity.org/board-members/