Richmond Public Schools Principal Ta’Neshia Ford is the recipient of the 2023 R.E.B. Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership.

Mrs. Ford has been a principal at Virgie Binford Education Center since 2013, where she is recognized as strong advocate for some of the division’s most at-risk students who she has inspired and helped overcome barriers.

Under her leadership, the school had a 90 percent graduation rate for under-credited seniors, stated an RPS news release.

Shayla Holeman, the principal at Overby-Sheppard Elementary since 2019, is described as a “passionate and dedicated administrator,” using a team approach with parents to educate the whole child. This has led to increases in both reading and math scores, according to an RPS news release.

The award by the R.E.B Foundation and the Community Foundation recognizes principals who have gone above and beyond to create an exceptional educational environment for students, parents, faculty and staff.