Carrie Henderson will lead the nonprofit’s Network of Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® in partnership with Deaconess Foundation
Beyond Housing announced today that Carrie Henderson has joined its Education Department as the new Director of Youth and Family Programming. By welcoming Carrie, who has a been a leader in education for more than a decade, the community development organization further intensifies its commitment to serving students and young people as part of its comprehensive model for strengthening families and transforming communities.
Carrie will lead the network of Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® that Beyond Housing will sponsor in partnership with Deaconess Foundation. CDF Freedom Schools provide summer and after-school enrichment for students in kindergarten through grade 12 through a research-based, multicultural program model.
“Under Carrie’s leadership, we are extremely excited to extend opportunities to children throughout the St. Louis metro area,” said Beyond Housing CEO and President Chris Krehmeyer. “Carrie will also collaborate with the Normandy Schools Collaborative and other community partners on projects that serve students and families.”
Carrie is a St. Louis native and graduate of Metro High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in radio, TV and film from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and a Master of Arts in school administration from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a staunch advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as evidenced through her role as the vice president of the St. Louis HBCU Alumni Association.
She has served at all levels within CDF Freedom Schools, including servant leader intern at George Ferris Freedom School in Washington, D.C., and Beyond Housing’s own site in North St. Louis County. She has also been a site coordinator for the Deaconess Foundation and a National Ella Baker Trainer.
CDF Freedom Schools foster environments that encourage scholars to excel and to believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves as well as their families, schools, communities, country and the world. This aligns with Beyond Housing’s mission of creating a stronger, more equitable and prosperous St. Louis region and Deaconess’ advocacy and grantmaking toward accelerating change through wielding power to transform systems to respond to the will of the people.
Carrie has been leading in education for over a decade, serving in many roles from English Language Arts teacher to professional development guru, coach, team leader and assistant principal. Carrie’s love for education blossomed when she was a Servant Leader Intern for a CDF Freedom School in Washington D.C. From there, she spent two years working in New Orleans.
As Beyond Housing’s new Director of Youth and Family Programming, Carrie said is excited about leading a network of CDF Freedom Schools. “My work in education has come full circle, and I’m feeling good to be back where my love for education began,” she said.
When Carrie is not spending time with family, she is traveling—the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, and Colombia are included in the places she’s been, with Costa Rica and Kenya on the horizon. She is the cool aunt to two nieces and one nephew, and she is a doting godparent to two godchildren. Carrie is also a board member for the Teach for America St. Louis Alumni Association and is currently writing a children’s book.
Learn more about Deaconess Foundation
Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools
