Meet Kenneth Gorham: From an HBCU to one of Charlotte’s youngest principals

When the morning bell rings at Movement Freedom Middle School in Charlotte, N.C., Kenneth Gorham leads his students — he calls them scholars — in call-and-response, repeating the mantra:

I am worthy. I am loved. When the world sees the worst in my brother or sister, I will see the best. Success in this world is in my reach. All I have to do is apply myself, have faith, and trust the process.

By trusting the process, a concept he also emphasizes with his scholars, Gorham went from teaching 4th-grade nonfiction reading at Movement Freedom to becoming the youngest principal in the history of the six-year-old charter school and one of the youngest in Charlotte.

Gorham’s experience attending the largest public HBCU, North Carolina A&T State University, and as an educator with Teach For America contributed to his journey of defying the odds and statistics (the average age of public school principals is 48, according to the U.S. Department of Education).

“Age no longer serves as a prerequisite to achieving excellence,” Gorham tells Reckon.

Read more: HBCUs and college rankings… making sense of U.S. News’ annual survey

Since starting his role as principal for the 2022-2023 school year, Gorham has made it a point to know and build a relationship with each student.

“He always gives every student a walk-through of Movement Middle School, he gives them a hug every morning. If not a hug, a high five,” Moya Montgomery, a parent at Movement School told WCNC.

Reckon spoke with Gorham about his historic journey as principal at Movement Freedom Middle School.

Reckon

How do you feel attending an HBCU has prepared you for not only being a principal but also having a huge impact on the education of others?

Gorham

Attending an HBCU, specifically North Carolina A&T State University, has undeniably cultivated my ability to partner with others in their development and empowerment. My college experience implored me to become more culturally aware, understanding the societal disadvantages Black and brown people continue to persevere through, while also highlighting the innate leadership abilities that we have as a people.

Attending North Carolina A&T emphasized the importance of relentlessly exuding excellence academically and within our community. Transcending into the role as principal at Movement Freedom Middle School, the knowledge and experiences I obtained while attending North Carolina A&T have been an immense part of the continuous intentionality I possess daily, as it relates to serving the scholars within my school, families, and the surrounding community.

It is my goal to continue to create spaces for children to feel empowered to authentically show up as themselves, while also promoting safety as their knowledge and leadership abilities continue to unfold.

A lot of Gen Z and young professionals tend to battle with imposter syndrome at times in their professions. Have you experienced that at all while being a principal at Movement Freedom Middle School? And if so, how have you reminded yourself that you are more than capable to do the job?

While being principal this year, I’ve experienced moments of imposter syndrome where mentally I began to believe that due to my age, there was no way I’d be as effective as a school leader as I intended. Even when I began to see moments of success, I found myself questioning the validity of it, believing that sooner or later things would crumble. The moment my mentality changed was when I recentered myself in my belief in God’s will for my life, as well as his provision that he’s continued to provide for me throughout my entire life.

I’ve affirmed myself in scripture, who I know God has created me to be and the abilities he embedded in my DNA. This mindset shift has allowed me to increase and sustain my belief in my abilities within this role, and that I’m exactly where I am supposed to be.

What message do you want your scholars at Movement Freedom Middle School to walk away with after graduating?

First: I am worthy, I am loved. When the world sees the worst in my brother or sister, I will see the best. Success in this world is in my reach. All I have to do is apply myself, have faith, and trust the process.

Second: Age no longer serves as a prerequisite to achieving excellence.”

Third: “No matter what undesirable circumstances exist within your environment; you can still achieve all the success and achievement your heart desires.”