Tomeka Hart Wigginton
Founder and Principal, HarWigg Group
For almost 30 years, Tomeka Hart Wigginton has worked to improve education outcomes and increase social and economic mobility at the local, state, and national levels. Specializing in building and managing strategic partnerships and coalitions, she founded The HarWigg Group in 2023, a consulting firm serving nonprofit, public sector, and philanthropy leaders and organizations.
Tomeka has served in multiple roles including managing director and special advisor to Blue Meridian Partners, managing investments and relationships in place-based partnerships focused on social and economic mobility. She served as senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leading grant making to civil rights and equity organizations focused on education policy and advocacy. Additionally, she has served as vice president for regional and national education organizations, and as the president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League.
Tomeka served two terms on the elected school board in Memphis, including a term as Board President. She currently serves as board chair of the Data Quality Campaign, as a member of the Memphis Education Fund, the Schott Foundation for Public Education, the First 8 Memphis, and the Think Tennessee boards. Additionally, she serves on the University of Tennessee College of Education Dean’s Advisory Board. She is a Public Voices Fellowship on Racial Justice in Early Childhood fellow, an Aspen Institute Rodel-Fellowship in Public Leadership fellow and a Pahara-Aspen Institute Education Fellow.
Tomeka holds the Public Leadership Credential from the Harvard Kennedy School; a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University; a J.D. degree from the University of Memphis; an M.B.A. from Kennesaw State University; and a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Why does education equity matter?
Equity is acknowledging, understanding, and accounting for the systemic and structural injustices that have led to entrenched gaps in outcomes of communities of color and their white counterparts. Equity matters a great deal in education as the only way to ensure equal outcomes for all students is by ensuring every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in school and life. Equitable inputs (every student has what they need) lead to equality of outcomes.
Why are you passionate about being on EdTrust’s board?
I have admired EdTrust’s work for over a decade, so I join this board with great passion and gratitude. When I served as CEO of the Memphis Urban League, and as a member of the school board in Memphis, I frequently referenced EdTrust’s research in my work. EdTrust’s bold commitment to highlighting and dismantling racial inequity through policy and practice at the federal and state levels is essential for reaching the goal of educational equity so that all students can reach their highest potential and thrive.