MCAAP Board of Director's very own Mr. James Allrich is currently  featured in an MCPS News article highlighting his remarkable 25 years as an Educational Leader and the paths that lead him to where he is today. During the month of February, MCPS honors and recognizes Black History Month. For Allrich, this month is a time of reflection, not only on the past, but on the present. 

“Leadership is collective and rooted in community,” he said. “These awards represent shared effort and shared impact. I strive to lead through relationships, connection and service, and I hope they remind students that leadership comes with responsibility—to those who came before us and those who will come after.”

“I reflect on the contributions of people of African descent around the world who made it possible for leaders like me to serve in roles like this today,” he said, referencing figures such as Toussaint L’Ouverture and local leaders like the late Dr. Judy Docca, a former principal at Argyle and a former MCPS Board member. “They not only opened doors, but they also set expectations for how we show up as leaders and how we give back to our communities. Their legacy reminds me that leadership is not just about personal success, but about responsibility and service.”

That sense of responsibility has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision in 2022 and the 2023 Maryland Principal of the Year Award, and most recently the Excellence in Education Award during Urban Smart’s Illuminate Your Black Brilliance Awards celebration. The award was given in recognition of Allrich’s 2023 Maryland Principal of the Year honor, his dedication to education, work in restorative justice and role as an educational leader in the broader community.

For Allrich, the recognition underscores a simple truth.

(article quotes via MCPS News)

Find the full article on James Allrich here.