A Special DPSF Update from our Executive Director

I would like to thank you for all the support you have shown the DPS Foundation and our public schools. We couldn’t do our work without you.

Today, I’m writing to share an important update. On May 9, I will be stepping down as Executive Director of the DPS Foundation for personal reasons. I’m extremely grateful to have led this organization first as Deputy Executive Director and later as Executive Director. This decision wasn’t easy, and I’m deeply thankful for the encouragement and support I’ve received from friends, family, and colleagues throughout this journey.

As a Durham native, leading an organization dedicated to the very schools that shaped me has been the honor of a lifetime. Together, we’ve built something powerful—a community-led foundation that puts students, families, and educators at the center. And we’ve done it during a time when public education demands bold leadership, innovation, and meaningful public-private partnership. That momentum will continue.

I'm proud to share that Brianna Kennedy, our Deputy Executive Director, will step in as Interim Executive Director. Brianna is a former DPS educator and has been a leader at DPSF for the past five years. She brings deep knowledge of our mission and a bold vision for what’s ahead. Our Board of Directors will also lead a local search to ensure all interested candidates have the opportunity to step forward.

While I’ll be creating space to care for myself, I will continue to root for Durham’s students, educators, and public schools—now and always.

If you'd like to connect before I transition out—or begin a conversation with Brianna to learn more about DPSF’s direction and recent impact—we welcome that. And if you’d like to support this next chapter, you can make a contribution through our website.

Your partnership and support have made this work possible, and I hope you’ll continue to be part of what’s ahead.

With deep gratitude,

Erika Wilkins

Executive Director, DPS Foundation

A few words from our Board of Directors Chair, Brittany Gregory:

“We are profoundly grateful for Erika’s visionary leadership, steady presence, and deep commitment to the Durham community. A true testament to homegrown talent, Erika has led on every level with compassion, clarity, and an unwavering belief in the power of families, educators, and public schools. She is a bridge builder, a fierce champion of equity, and a guiding force who helped DPSF navigate turbulent times with grace and strength. Words cannot fully express the depth of our appreciation for her passion, her tenure, and her remarkable service.”