Editor’s note: As a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, ALG cannot endorse candidates for political office. We provide the following article solely for informational and educational purposes.
As Dr. Anne Keke launches her re-election campaign for the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education this Saturday, the African Leadership Group proudly highlights her leadership, dedication, and achievements that continue to uplift students, educators, and families across Aurora.
A proven record of leadership and innovation
Born in Rubino, Côte d’Ivoire—in West Africa—and living in Aurora since 2004, Dr. Keke brings a deeply personal understanding of immigrant families’ educational aspirations. Elected to the APS board in 2021 and serving as board president since 2023, she has consistently put community concerns at the center of district policy decisions.
One of her most significant contributions was playing a pivotal role in hiring the district’s new superintendent, whose leadership has already yielded substantial improvements for teachers, students, and families.
The district is now coming off the so-called accountability clock, meaning it is no longer at risk of state takeover due to key performance metrics persistently trending in the wrong direction.That is thanks to Dr. Keke and her colleagues on the board, who were instrumental in pushing for the turnaround, through supporting summer school, expanding tutoring, and enforcing accountability on the district’s recovery plan.
Her vision extends well beyond academic recovery. Under Dr. Keke’s tenure as board president, APS increased teacher pay, hired additional mental health professionals, and secured the passage of a monumental $1 billion bond measure; an unprecedented investment in Aurora schools and infrastructure.
Supporting teachers as true partners
Dr. Keke consistently emphasizes that teachers are not merely employees but experts, leaders, and co‑creators of student success. She has championed their needs across the board – from advocating for better pay to collaborating on curriculum, professional development, and policies that reflect teachers’ insights and expertise.
Her deep respect for educators is born of personal experience. Before joining the APS school board, Dr. Keke spent years working in local public schools, and brings that firsthand knowledge and experience to her governance role.
Responsive and trusted by families
A strong advocate for families, Dr. Keke prides herself on her responsiveness and ability to connect parents and students swiftly with the right staff and resources at APS. Her empathetic and timely engagement has earned heartfelt praise from community members.
Malcom Laster, an Aurora community member and parent said, “Dr. Keke was the only board member to respond when my daughter was having difficulty at school. She worked with me and my family to quickly connect with the appropriate district staff to resolve our issues.”
This is one of many examples where Dr. Keke has demonstrated her dedication to making a positive difference through her service to the community.
Building inclusive, accountable governance
As APS charts a new five‑year vision post‑COVID, Dr. Keke and the board are actively seeking community feedback to frame district priorities, measures of success, and accountability systems. Recognizing Aurora’s extraordinary diversity – students representing over 130 countries and more than 160 languages – the board is encouraging engagement to ensure policies truly reflect community needs and aspirations.
Their strategic priorities – early literacy, graduation rates, equity for students of color, whole‑child development, and staff retention – are shaping how they assess the superintendent’s leadership and design future district goals.
Looking ahead: Continued partnership and progress
Dr. Keke’s tenure is defined by bold investments, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless focus on equity and excellence. Her leadership has strengthened teacher morale, expanded mental health supports, and positioned APS on a path to sustained recovery and growth.
