Dent Education Celebrates Executive Transition to Homegrown Leaders

Baltimore, MD - ?Dent Education, a Baltimore-based youth innovation non-profit, celebrates a leadership transition with Micky Wolf stepping up as CEO and Hailey Jordan as Chief Programs Officer. Rajan Patel , Co-Founder, and CEO, will stay involved as a board member, advisor, and mentor to youth.?

"It's been an honor to lead Dent alongside such an incredible community of students, staff, partners, and supporters," said Rajan. "To me, it’s the greatest accomplishment for our organization to have such success and to recognize how little of it is the result of my own vision or leadership."

Micky and Hailey began their tenure in early March 2023. The two leaders have nearly 8 years of combined experience with Dent, and have been instrumental in shaping the organization's mission and programs. Under their leadership, Dent has engaged nearly 500 of Baltimore's youth to grow as makers, social innovators, and entrepreneurs. Dent's youth have earned over $750,000 through Dent programs and secured $100,000 in revenue through youth-led ventures.

"Micky's ability to turn ideas into reality, envision strategic partnerships, and scale operational systems will take Dent to new heights," said Rajan. "Hailey’s vision of sustainable entrepreneurship, care in community, and real-world impact will shape our programs to set new standards for youth-driven innovation."

“After nearly 5 years at Dent building relationships with hundreds of high schoolers, partners, and teammates, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to lead our community of dreamers who do,” said Micky. “I am lucky to find daily entrepreneurial inspiration from our youth who are innovative, community-minded, and authentic Baltimore leaders.”

“Rajan gave us all an invitation to show up authentically. He carved out space for us to think big and to take bold actions,” said Hailey. “And perhaps more importantly, Rajan showed us what it looks like to rally the resources to make all that possible.”

The two of them will continue Dent’s equity-driven mission with a keen awareness of their own identities and power, stewarding an environment for staff who share lived experiences with our young people - namely, Black and Baltimore-raised folks - to thrive and one day lead our organization.

During this season of change, Dent is grateful to the combined 7 years of service from exiting board members A. Jay Nwachu and Khalid Smith and is excited to welcome new board members Alanah Nichole Davis , Kerrie Carden , Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly, Ed.D. , and Zhadyn Beckwith , Dent’s first alumnus to serve on its board of directors.

"We are excited for the next chapter of Dent and the leadership that Micky and Hailey will bring," said Rajan. "What we’ve built is special, and to have such capable, passionate leaders who are equipped to lead us beyond my tenure is one of our biggest indications of success."

Dent celebrated the transition on May 10th at their Tomorrow’s Leaders Spring Showcase with over 100 partners, students, family members, and supporters at Dent HQ, their new office and maker space at the Chesapeake Building, 1707 N Charles St.?

Gratitude for Rajan’s impact and vision was shared in an extended video featuring Denters, former teammates, board members, and his family members from around the world. The Youth Showcase highlighted a variety of youth ventures in a fashion show and gallery walk, including Made@Dent, a youth co-owned e-commerce business, and NAV, a mental-health advocacy club.?

About Dent Education:

Dent Education is a youth innovation hub based in Baltimore City with a focus on promoting equity by activating the innate creative potential of youth of the global majority to shape the world around them. Dent’s Earn-to-Learn internship programs empower high schoolers to launch real-world ventures, apply equity-centered design thinking and STEAM Maker skills to community problems, and find mentors and friends through partners, staff, and fellow students. 90% of youth who complete a Dent program “believe in their ability to shape the world around them”. Learn more at denteducation.org

For Media Inquires:

Leari-Jenee Jones

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