Jamaican-born Karren Dunkley is one of the leading education reform minds in America.

Dunkley was recently named among the top 10 most influential people in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Tribune (the oldest African American newspaper in the United States).

Dunkley is also one of the youngest deputy chief superintendents for the school district of Philadelphia.

New ground

The St Catherine native is breaking new ground as she helps to increase and improve the participation of families and community in the academic success and personal development of their children. Dunkley finds reward in service to her community. "Service is my inspiration. I find that working for our children and their communities is where I can contribute most to human growth and development," she said.

Dunkley attended St Catherine High and Wolmer's Girls' School before migrating to the US. She graduated at the top of her class from St John's University in Queens, New York with bachelor's and master's degrees in political science, secondary education and international law and diplomacy.

National recognition

She later served on the faculty of St Johns University in the departments of government and politics and education, where she was nominated Professor of the Year. While teaching in New York schools, she earned national recognition when she received the New York State Assembly 2005 Teacher of the Year award.

Dunkley is a 21st century entrepreneur and philanthropist, having founded Uhuru Incorporated, a not-for-profit organisation. The organisation is dedicated to the emotional and educational empowerment of children in the United States and internationally.

Later this month, Dunkley plans to return home to examine first-hand the challenges facing Jamaican schools, with a view to determining how best she can assist.