Ulric Shannon

Ulric Shannon
Member

Ulric serves as Executive Director of Surge Chicago, bringing over 15 years of experience in educational leadership. His journey began as a Chicago Public School teacher and includes roles like Director of Purpose at LiberatED Way, where he led initiatives to break down systemic barriers and promote equity for K-12 students. A 2020 alum of the Surge Institute, Ulric has built and managed impactful partnerships at both local and national levels, fueled by a commitment to mission-driven leadership.

Recognized by The Chicago Defender as a Man of Excellence and by Chicago Scholars as one of the city's most influential professionals under 35, Ulric is also a Posse Scholar, an Impact Fellow at the Chicago Urban League, and a Civic Leadership Fellow at the University of Illinois, where he earned three Master’s Degrees in Political Science, Education, and Business Administration.

Ulric is deeply connected to Chicago’s culture, from its tavern-style pizza and no-ketchup-on-hot-dogs rule to its dance scene, where he enjoys stepping and footworking. He also loves global travel, culinary adventures, and Law & Order: SVU marathons, making his journey a blend of professional impact and a zest for life’s experiences.