About Us
Educational Leader and Warrior
Dr. David L. Snead
Dr. David L. Snead is a nationally recognized educator and former Superintendent in Detroit and Waterbury. With over 40 years of experience, he led major reforms, improved academic outcomes, and championed equity. A graduate of Tuskegee University and the University of Michigan, Dr. Snead has received numerous honors, including Michigan Superintendent of the Year and IBM’s Executive Educator of the Year.
Dr. Snead has also served as a consultant, speaker, and visiting professor at Yale University. Guided by the belief that all students can learn at their own pace, he continues to inspire educators with his leadership, experience, and unwavering commitment to student success.
5+
Districts Transformed
Through Leadership
40+
Years of Service in
Education
100+
Leaders Mentored
and Inspired
1st
African American
Superintendent in Region
“In the fight for educational equity, every step forward creates a path for those who come after. Change isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.”
— Dr. David L. Snead, Urban School Warrior
THE WARRIOR’S JOURNEY
“Every challenge was a chance to prove that change was possible. Every victory opened doors for others to follow.”
– Dr. David L. Snead
From his early battles in Detroit to his groundbreaking work in urban school districts, Dr. Snead has dedicated his life to overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and creating a path for future generations of educators and leaders.
Detroit Foundations
Raised in Detroit, Dr. Snead overcame racial discrimination to graduate from Cass Technical High School, where he learned the power of perseverance and education.
1943-1960s
Service & Education
After military service, Dr. Snead pursued higher education, driven by a belief in education’s transformative power and a commitment to serving underserved communities
1960s-1970s
Urban School Warrior
As a leader in urban school districts, Dr. Snead championed educational equity, dismantled barriers, and ensured every child had access to quality education.
1980s-2010s
Sharing the Battle Plan
Through his memoir, Urban School Warrior, Dr. Snead shares his story to inspire the next generation of leaders and ignite the ongoing fight for equity in education.
2025