LEONARD A. UPSON
Leonard A. Upson is an education consultant for leadership development with more than 35 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and administrator in urban school settings. Mr. Upson brings insights and skills in instructional leadership and organizational change and has received numerous awards for his endeavors including Junior High School Principal of the Year by D.C Public Schools in 1983, Principal of the Year by the District of Columbia Association of Secondary Schools in 1989, for his success in improving a school’s culture, climate, and academic outcomes for students within the schools he had lead K – 12.
Mr. Upson also was identified as a Principal of Excellence by the Washington Post in 1997 for improving the school climate, student test scores in reading and math at Calvin Coolidge High School which had been identified as a low performing school plagued with violence in 1993. His work as a faculty member, for 13 years, at Harvard University’s Principals’ Center spurred his development as a trainer and coach of school leaders.
A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Upson earned a Master’s Degree in Urban Learning at George Washington University. His professional memberships include The School Club of Washington, National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, 100 Fathers Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He currently serves as Director for Leadership Development with Capstone Institute at Howard University where he mentors five DC Public School principals, part time. Additionally, Mr. Upson serves a the coordinator of The Promise Program, a nationally recognized mentoring program to reduce acts of violence committed by African American males between the ages of 12 – 25. In October 2013 Mr. Upson was certified by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and Gallup as a Mentor and Coach for elementary and secondary principals.
​
In the year 2013, Mr. Upson became the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Inner Voices, Inc. to plan, coordinate, and implement a safe and secure environment for women who have been victims of Domestic Violence. All women are referred by the Crime Victims Compensation Program located in Washington, DC. Lastly, in 2018, Mr. Upson created a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, to provide “Jobs for Women” who are victimized by Domestic Violence.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
​
-
Leonard A. Upson