The African Leadership Group proudly celebrates the reelection of Dr. Anne Keke to the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education in the November 4, 2025 election.
Dr. Keke, who has served as board president since 2023, received strong support from Aurora voters, leading all candidates in vote totals. Her victory ensures that immigrant families and underserved communities will continue to have a powerful advocate shaping education policy in one of Colorado’s most diverse school districts.
Dr. Keke’s journey to this moment began in Rubino, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), where her parents instilled in her a deep belief that education is the surest path out of poverty. That conviction carried her to the United States in 2001 and to Aurora in 2004, where she has since built a remarkable career bridging classrooms, courtrooms, and communities.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Denver, followed by a master’s degree and doctorate in criminal justice from Colorado Technical University. Today, she serves as director of grassroots advocacy at the Colorado League of Charter Schools, while raising her daughter as a single mother in Aurora.
During her first four years on the board, Dr. Keke compiled a strong record of accomplishment. As board president, she played a pivotal role in hiring the district’s new superintendent, whose leadership has yielded substantial improvements for teachers, students, and families. Under her guidance, Aurora Public Schools increased teacher pay by eight percent while improving staff morale, and hired hundreds of additional mental health professionals to support student wellbeing.
Perhaps most significantly, Dr. Keke championed the passage of ballot measures 5A and 5B in 2024. Measure 5A established a $30 million annual capital mill levy for building maintenance and improvements, while Measure 5B authorized a $1 billion bond for new facilities, renovations, and expanded career and technical education programs.
Thanks to her advocacy and that of her colleagues, the district has also come off the state’s accountability clock, meaning it is no longer at risk of state takeover due to poor performance. This turnaround was driven by expanded tutoring, summer school programs, and a firm commitment to holding the district accountable to its recovery plan.
Beyond the boardroom, Dr. Keke has advocated at the Colorado State Capitol for changes to the school finance formula that led to substantial increases in state funding for Aurora Public Schools. She also serves as Chair of the NAACP statewide Education Committee, where she has helped elevate the voices of Black students across Colorado.
Aurora Public Schools serves more than 38,000 students representing over 130 countries and speaking more than 160 languages. In a district where 42% of students are second-language learners, having a board president who intimately understands the immigrant experience is invaluable. Dr. Keke knows firsthand the challenges that immigrant parents face in navigating the American education system, and she has made it her mission to ensure that every family feels heard and supported.
Her responsiveness to families has become a hallmark of her leadership. As one Aurora parent noted, Dr. Keke was the only board member to respond when his daughter was experiencing difficulties at school. She worked with the family to quickly connect them with the appropriate district staff to resolve their concerns. This dedication to individual families reflects her broader commitment to authentic community engagement, particularly with immigrant and marginalized communities.
Dr. Keke has been a longtime member and leader within the African Leadership Group. For her contributions to the community, she was honored with ALG’s “Woman of Inspiration” award, recognizing her as a leader who leads by example and uplifts others. Her success demonstrates the impact that engaged African immigrants can have when they step forward to serve their communities.
Papa M. Dia, Founder and Executive Director of the African Leadership Group, said: “Dr. Anne’s reelection is a testament to what happens when members of our community step up to lead. She understands the dreams that immigrant parents hold for their children because she lives those dreams herself every day. Her work on the Aurora school board has shown that when we have a seat at the table, we can shape policies that truly serve our families. We are incredibly proud of Dr. Anne and the example she sets for the entire African diaspora in Colorado.”
As Dr. Keke begins her second term, she remains committed to equitable access to high-quality schools across all neighborhoods, authentic community engagement, and the recruitment of diverse educators who reflect the student population. Her vision for APS is one where every student, regardless of race, ability, or zip code, has access to a learning environment that nurtures success.
The African Leadership Group congratulates Dr. Anne Keke on her well-deserved victory and looks forward to continuing to support her transformative work on behalf of Aurora’s students and families.
