Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program™

  • Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program™ — Application Form

  • Preparing educators and leaders to move schools and communities from poverty to prosperity.

    Program Highlights:

    • MSDE-Approved (CPD #25-68-13)
    • Awards 5 CEU/CPDs (Standard & Premium)
    • Trademarked training program
    • Hybrid learning model
    • Meets state & national educator leadership standards
    • Eligible for licensure renewal, reinstatement & advancement

  • 📘 ABOUT THE PROGRAM

  • The Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program™ is a transformative 10-week hybrid leadership development experience designed to help educators, administrators, community leaders, and practitioners understand, disrupt, and eliminate the barriers that poverty creates within learning ecosystems and communities.

    Rooted in the From Poverty to Prosperity™ Framework by Dr. Tekemia Dorsey, this program bridges research, leadership practice, and applied implementation to support sustainable, prosperity-centered outcomes.

    Participants gain actionable tools to improve student success, strengthen families, elevate leadership capacity, and advance equity at the classroom, school, community, and system levels.

  • ⭐ PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

  • Led by Dr. Tekemia Dorsey

    CEO, DTD Enterprises, LLC • Master Trainer • Leadership Strategist • 104x Author • Creator of MSDE-Approved Leadership Programs • Global Speaker • Award-Winning Educator, Innovator & Poverty-Informed Leadership Expert

    Dr. Tekemia Dorsey is a globally recognized force in leadership development, poverty-informed education, and organizational transformation. With more than two decades of experience and over 100 publications, she stands as one of the nation’s most influential voices in educational leadership, community advancement, and equity-driven systems change.

    As the creator of multiple MSDE-approved leadership programs, Dr. Dorsey has trained thousands of educators, administrators, youth leaders, and community practitioners throughout the United States. Her instructional approach moves learners from theory to action — and from action to measurable results.

    Her groundbreaking contributions — including the Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program™ and the Poverty Certification Leadership Program — have shaped national conversations around equity, access, achievement, and pathways out of poverty.

    Her award-winning career centers on:

    • Elevating student and adult learner achievement
    • Strengthening families and communities
    • Advancing equity through leadership development
    • Empowering organizations to transition from poverty to prosperity

    As a Master Trainer and global speaker, Dr. Dorsey brings unmatched expertise, energy, and innovation. The Author-to-Program™ Academy extends her life’s mission — helping authors transform their intellectual property into programs that create systemwide, generational impact.

  • ⭐ MSDE APPROVAL, CEUs & STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

  • The Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program™ is officially approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, CPD #25-68-13, awarding participants in the Standard and Premium cohorts 5 Continuing Professional Development (CPDs).

    ✔ State Recognition

    • Approved for Maryland licensure renewal, reinstatement & advancement
    • Recognized as a Continuing Professional Development Course

    ✔ Certification

    Participants receive:

    • Certificate of Completion
    • 5 CPDs (Standard & Premium)
    • Documentation identifying the program as Equity-Focused Professional Development

    ✔ Standards Alignment

    This program aligns with:

    • Maryland Educational Leadership Standards
    • NPBEA/ISLLC Leadership Standards
    • Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning
    • ESSA Equity & Access Requirements
    • Whole Child & CASEL competencies

  • 🎯 WHO SHOULD APPLY

  • The Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program™ is ideal for:

    ● PK–12 educators, counselors & specialists
    ● School & district administrators
    ● Higher education faculty & leaders
    ● Community & nonprofit leaders
    ● Workforce development & youth-serving professionals
    ● DEI practitioners, policy advocates, and organizational leaders

    If your work intersects with equity, leadership, or community uplift — this program is for you.

  • 💡 WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

  • Participants learn to:

    • Understand the systemic impact of poverty
    • Identify & address equity gaps
    • Apply research-based poverty-informed practices
    • Lead strategic initiatives that advance equity
    • Improve student, family & community outcomes
    • Build partnerships that strengthen learning ecosystems
    • Design and implement a capstone aligned to real-world needs

    Participants Receive:

    • Certificate of Completion
    • 5 CEUs (Standard & Premium)
    • Equity PD documentation for licensure

     

     

     

  • 🌐 HYBRID LEARNING MODEL

  • The Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Certificate Program is delivered through a Hybrid Learning Model designed to maximize flexibility, engagement, and application.

    What “Hybrid” Means in This Program

    Participants experience a blended approach that includes:

    🖥️ Virtual Learning
    • Interactive live online workshops
    • Facilitated group discussions
    • Real-time collaboration with peers
    • Access to digital learning modules and resources
     
    🏫 In-Person or On-Site Engagement (as applicable)
    • Select in-person sessions coordinated with the cohort
    • Hands-on activities, applied learning labs, or leadership intensives
    • Capstone project presentations (virtual option available if needed)
     
    📚 Independent Learning
    • Reflection assignments
    • Reading modules
    • Practice-based implementation tasks

     

    This structure ensures participants can meaningfully apply poverty-informed and equity-centered strategies in real settings while benefiting from both virtual and face-to-face learning experiences.

  • 🚨 MANDATORY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

  • To maintain the integrity and impact of the program, attendance is mandatory for all scheduled live sessions (virtual and/or in-person).

    ✔ Live Workshop Attendance

    • Participants must attend all scheduled live cohort sessions
    • Only one (1) excused absence is allowed for the entire 10-week program
    • Missed sessions must be made up through supplemental assignments

     

    ✔ Capstone Participation

    • Attendance at the capstone launch
    • Attendance at the final capstone presentation (virtual option available)

     

    ✔ Engagement Requirements

    Participants are expected to:

    • Actively participate during live sessions
    • Contribute to small-group and peer collaboration activities
    • Complete all independent assignments on time

     

    ✔ Why Mandatory Attendance Matters

    This program is designed to cultivate:

    • Deep understanding of poverty-informed leadership
    • Community-building among cohort members
    • Hands-on implementation of learning
    • Higher levels of accountability and leadership readiness

     

    Mandatory attendance ensures every participant AND every cohort benefits from the shared learning experience.

  • 📅 2026 COHORT DATES

  • Minimum of 10 participants required per cohort.


    ● March 16 – June 12, 2026
    ● April 12 – June 18, 2026
    ● July 12 – September 17, 2026
    ● October 4 – December 17, 2026


    Cohorts launch once the minimum of 10 participants is met.

  • 🎓 PROGRAM FORMATS &PRICING

  • 1️⃣ Self-Paced Program — $995

    • ✔ Certificate of Completion
    • ❌ No CEUs
    • May meet general PD hours depending on local requirements

     

    2️⃣ Standard Cohort Program — $1,950

    • ✔ Live hybrid instruction
    • ✔ Certificate of Completion
    • ✔ 5 CEUs (MSDE Approved)
    • ✔ Capstone Project
    • ✔ Equity PD documentation

     Schhol System (Educator): $1250 (Standard Program ONLY)

     

    3️⃣ Premium Leadership Program — $2,750

    • ✔ Everything in Standard
    • ✔ Personalized 1:1 Coaching
    • ✔ One-Year Coalition Membership
    • ✔ Certificate of Completion
    • ✔ 5 CEUs
    • ✔ Leadership enhancement tools

  • 📌 REFUND POLICY

    1. All investments for the Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program are non-refundable.
    2. Due to the specialized and customized nature of curriculum development and training services, all payments are final.
    3. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review all FAQs, program details, licensure requirements, and application expectations prior to enrolling.
    4. Payment arrangements may be available and can be discussed further upon acceptance into the program.

  • 🌐 EQUITY-BASED LICENSURE APPLICATION

  • The Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program falls under the category of equity-focused professional learning, making it eligible for individuals seeking:

    • Licensure Renewal
    • Licensure Reinstatement
    • Licensure Advancement or Upgrade
    • Professional Development (Equity Requirements)

    This program is designed to meet state and district expectations for equity-driven continuing education, particularly for educators and leaders responsible for addressing poverty, access, and systemic inequities.

    Participants completing the Standard or Premium pathways receive official documentation identifying this training as Equity Professional Development, appropriate for submission to licensing agencies and educational institutions.

  • 📚 PROGRAM FOUNDATION

  • Built on the From Poverty to Prosperity™ Framework by Dr. Tekemia Dorsey, the Equity & Poverty-Informed Leadership Program™ fosters a shift from poverty-based barriers to prosperity-centered strategies across communities

  • 📣 CALL TO ACTION

  • Begin your journey toward equity-centered leadership.
     

    Apply Today

    Schedule an Information Call Request Group Pricing

  • 📞 CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Website: www.dtdenterprises.com

    Phone: (772) 571-4428

  • ❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

  •  

    1. How long is the program?
    The program is 10 weeks and includes hybrid (virtual + in-person) and independent learning components.
     
    2. Is this program fully online?
    It is a hybrid model with virtual workshops, optional on-site experiences, and independent learning.
     
    3. Do I receive a certificate?
    Yes. All participants receive a Certificate of Completion. Only Standard and Premium cohorts qualify for CEUs.
     
    4. Does the Self-Paced Program offer CEUs?
    No. The self-paced option includes a certificate only and does not award CEUs.
     
    5. Can I use this program for professional development or licensure renewal?
    Yes. The program qualifies for PD hours and supports licensure renewal, reinstatement, and advancement (state/district dependent). Standard & Premium cohorts may earn CEUs.
     
    6. Is attendance mandatory?
    Yes. To receive full credit and CEU eligibility, participants must attend all live sessions. One excused absence is permitted.
     
    7. What is the minimum number of participants to start a cohort?
    A minimum of 10 participants is required for each cohort to begin.
     
    8. Can organizations enroll multiple participants?
    Absolutely. Group and institutional enrollment options are available at discounted rates.
     
    9. Is there a capstone project?
    Yes. All cohort-based participants complete an applied leadership capstone tied to equity and poverty-informed practice.
     
    10. What happens if I miss a session?
    Participants must complete a makeup assignment and cannot exceed one excused absence.

  • 📝 SECTION 16 — APPLICATION FORM QUESTIONS

  • Personal Information

  • Program Selection

  • Professional &Leadership Background

  • Statement of Interest

  • Attendance, Commitment & Readiness

  • Licensure & PD Requirements

  • Capstone Readiness

  • Additional Information

  • Should be Empty: