Uncrowned Community Builders

Dr. Yvonne Minor-Ragan is currently the principal of the newly converted Westminster Community Charter School (WCCS). Dr. Ragan is recognized as an influential leader and citizen of Buffalo. She has shared her skills throughout New York, nationally, and internationally (London and Sweden). She has been such an influence in education and public policy that she has been featured on CNN News, Christian Science Monitor, Educational Week, and the Buffalo Evening News. She has a national and international reputation as an accomplished motivational speaker. As a featured speaker she has inspired audiences of hundreds, discussing critical issues of our community, ranging from the importance of parent involvement, to keeping our eyes on the prize, and how to affect positive and systemic change.

For the past ten years, Dr. Ragan, a native Chicagoan recognized as one of the 100 most influential women in Chicago for phenomenal success as a leader, has been involved in an astounding partnership with the Buffalo Public Schools and M&T Bank. Her laudable performance as a results-oriented administrator is being documented by this partnership. This partnership is unique to our nation, and is being followed by school communities and business partnerships, both here and abroad.

Dr. Ragan's philosophy has been that "if you want to improve the quality of life of a community it must be done through education." Her dedication to providing the best education possible to a community of students has proven that with the combination of right leadership, strong corporate alliances, and a supportive community, change can begin with the vision of one person. However, it is her continued commitment to develop successful strategies for teacher mentoring (especially in the urban setting), which result in the retention of successful teachers in the teaching profession.

Dr. Ragan received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Roosevelt University; Masters of Science in Education from Chicago State University, Certification in Administration and Supervision, Guidance and Counseling from Chicago State University, Superintendent's Certification from the state of Illinois, Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Illinois at Chicago and School District Administrator's Certification from New York State.

She is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, National Association of Curriculum and Development, Urban League, President of the Buffalo Chapter of the Links, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Service Sorority. She is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Board member for: Shea's Performing Arts; Leadership Center, Just Buffalo, and Advisory board member for Roosevelt University Graduate Education Department

Dr. Ragan has received numerous awards for her contributions in education and service to the community. Among these are the General Superintendent's Representative, Illinois Distinguished Educator's Award, National Educators' Award, One of the Top Six Educators' in the Country, Kizzie Award for Outstanding African-American Women, Dyett School: Blue Ribbon Recognition, Governor's Award for Excellence in Education, Keynote Speaker: United Kingdom Headmasters' CSD Conference, and Westminster School Recognized by NYSED as "Most Improved School".

Dr. Ragan and her husband, Phillip, have four children and one grandchild. They are members of Bethel A.M.E. Church.