Te’Andria Ellis

Executive Director, The Surge Project Incorporated

Birmingham, Alabama

Te’Andria Ellis is the executive director at The Surge Project, Inc., where she works to reduce gun violence, support community development, and promote mental health in low-income, underresourced areas. Working across faith communities, Te’Andria creates opportunities for economic mobility in her community through educational opportunities, job training, and financial literacy training in partnership with a broad network of community organizations. Her model centers on developing community-centered movements in collaboration with various partners and managing relationships with school administrators, clergy, government officials, and other key stakeholders. Te’Andria has several key areas of focus in this work, including making mental healthcare more accessible and workforce development to break cycles of generational poverty.