Nzinga Foluke-Henderson, Ph.D.

A devoted educator since 1982, Dr. Nzinga Foluke-Henderson has served in various roles supporting the education of children. From teaching elementary and middle school students to professional development specialist for K-12 teachers and school administrators in private, independent, and public schools, she has also written English Language Arts curriculum in her career. Additionally, Dr. Foluke-Henderson fulfilled supervisory roles on the school, district, and central levels at the New York City Department of Education, one of the largest school districts in the country.

Having earned several degrees of higher learning (BA in Political Science-Pre-Law [1976] and MS in Social Service Agency Counseling [1978] from the University of Dayton, a post master’s certification in Administrative and Supervision [2002] from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and a Ph.D. in Education from Walden University [2007]), Dr. Foluke-Henderson continues to value learning and acquiring new skills. As a perpetual learner, she is pursuing her interests in learning Spanish, film, and flute.

Dr. Foluke-Henderson’s enduring aspiration to contribute something substantial to the lives of our youth has materialized in several ways. Her dissertation, Self-Concept, Ethnic Identity, and World View of African American Males in Urban America (2007) and founding and leading several parent collaborative programs for youth—Inner-Outer Beauty for Teen Girls (circa 1996), Male Development Program (1998-2001), and the Gemstones programming for girls (Book Club, Gemstories, and Brain and Body Enhancement [2016-present]) are signatures and demonstrations of her dedication for the development and cultural education of our youth.

After 32 years of employment with the New York City Department of Education, the largest school district in the US, in 2014, Dr. Foluke-Henderson retired from her service and endeavored to embark upon new opportunities to support youth and families. For women, she has initiated the Legacy Wellness Book Club (2019). Appreciating life, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, daughter and son-in-love, three grandchildren, close friends, and spiritual community.