Michael Payne, Jr.

Michael Payne, Jr., is the Chief of Strategy & School Partnerships at Boldly Moving Education Ahead (BMEA), where he leads efforts to redesign schools as restorative, culturally responsive, and innovative learning communities. With more than 13 years of experience across K–12 education, teacher development, and district partnership work, Michael specializes in building systems that strengthen instructional practice, support educator wellness, and improve long-term retention—particularly for educators serving Black, Brown, and economically marginalized communities.A proud graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Michael brings a deep commitment to leadership, service, and social responsibility to his work. He later earned dual master’s degrees in Secondary Mathematics Education and Special Education from Lesley University, grounding his leadership in inclusive pedagogy, analytical rigor, and a strong understanding of diverse learners. These experiences shaped his belief that educational inequity is not a reflection of student potential, but of system design—and that schools must be intentionally structured to center belonging, dignity, and high expectations.Michael began his career in education in 2012 as a classroom teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools, later serving as a secondary math teacher, grade-level lead, instructional coach, and graduate instructor. These roles informed his focus on culturally responsive instruction, restorative practices, and the development of confident, reflective educators.At BMEA, Michael directs organizational strategy and manages more than a dozen school and district partnerships across Michigan and New York. He designed BMEA’s School Transformation Framework and created the Restorative Leadership Professional Development Series and Teacher Wellness Fellowship, supporting school leaders and teachers in building sustainable, human-centered learning environments. He also supports instructional visioning and innovation at the BMEA Independent School, helping educators integrate culturally responsive pedagogy, restorative design thinking, and technology into daily practice.Michael has also served as a Strategic Consultant for Recruitment and Retention with New York City Public Schools, where he co-designed an Educator Retention Framework, facilitated districtwide focus groups, and developed recommendations and evaluation tools centered on belonging, professional satisfaction, and educators’ intent to remain in the profession.In recognition of his impact, Michael received the Community Impact Hero Award from Degree Forward in 2024. Outside of his professional work, he is a devoted father, mentor, and proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., committed to building educational systems where educators are supported, students are affirmed, and communities can thrive.