Black Pearl’s founders both have a great deal of experience in the education field. Nekima Levy-Pounds, Esq. spent thirteen years as a law professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School; and Marques Armstrong worked in many different capacities in K-12 education, including child development technician, behavior intervention specialist, and was part of a mental health collaborative spanning over two decades. It is clear that both Marques & Nekima are passionate about education and the academic success of all students, and especially students of color.

That passion for the advancement of community and education has led to the development of programs, workshops and trainings that further assist students in experiencing academic success by working with school directors, principals, social worker, teachers and other individuals who have a vested interest in students' academic success. We understand the significant need to equip educators with the tools needed to breakdown racial and socio-economic barriers in the classroom, while building environments that promote academic success, strong social skills, and overall mental, emotional, and physical health among students.

To that end, Black Pearl has dynamic programs, cutting-edge workshops, and trainings that can be customized to address many of the issues educators face when working with diverse populations.