Chanel Hampton serves as the founder and chief executive officer of Strategic Community Partners (SCP), a Detroit-based firm focused on working with local and national organizations rooted in education, equity, and justice. In 2015, Chanel launched SCP with a vision of partnering with mission-driven organizations to build capacity and positively serve Black and marginalized communities. SCP works with a robust array of partners, including Detroit Public Schools Community District, The Skillman Foundation, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Washington, D.C.’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education, WEPOWER St. Louis, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, The Obama Foundation and numerous other community-based organizations and leaders. SCP also operates a community center and the first co-working space in Detroit’s legacy-rich Fitzgerald neighborhood.
Prior to founding SCP, Chanel began her career as a middle school teacher, where her passion for larger systemic change in the education system grew. Particularly moved by the need fordiverse teacher talent and organizations with the right motivations and mindsets working in communities, Chanel began her work with administration and later joined Teach for America’s National Recruitment Team. Founding and leading national diversity initiatives, Chanel served as a national recruitment team leader and also worked with the organization’s 52 regions as a strategic advisor and partner–resulting in unprecedented community engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and progress with communities across the country. Chanel also led several additional organization-wide initiatives and partnerships, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference.
During her career, Chanel has also served as a central office executive in public school systems, including Detroit Public Schools; and worked with the Michigan Department of Education to ensure equitable practices for all districts across the state.
Chanel holds a bachelor’s degree in African-American studies, psychology, and sociocultural anthropology. She also has two master’s degrees in secondary education and education administration. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational leadership. Chanel’s lifelong passions for Detroit, justice, education, and equity drive her personally and professionally and motivate her to continue, as well as expand.
