10 Things You Should Know About Kwame Simmons

The Detroit-bred innovator tackles education in urban areas.

Closing the Digital Gap - At the intersection of education and innovation is where you're most likely to find Kwame Simmons. The groundbreaking BET Honors 2015 honoree is using integrated and pioneering technologies to help close the digital divide and revolutionize education nationwide. Keep reading to learn more about Simmons' inspiring career dedicated to transforming urban communities, one classroom at a time. — Patrice Peck(Photo: Brad Barket/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Closing the Digital Gap - At the intersection of education and innovation is where you're most likely to find Kwame Simmons. The groundbreaking BET Honors 2015 honoree is using integrated and pioneering technologies to help close the digital divide and revolutionize education nationwide. Keep reading to learn more about Simmons' inspiring career dedicated to transforming urban communities, one classroom at a time. — Patrice Peck(Photo: Brad Barket/BET/Getty Images for BET)

The Tough, the Grit, the Grind - Before he became the mastermind known for turning schools into success stories, Kwame Simmons was a young boy growing up in Detroit. (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

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The Tough, the Grit, the Grind - Before he became the mastermind known for turning schools into success stories, Kwame Simmons was a young boy growing up in Detroit. (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

Drive Educator - As the Executive Innovation Officer for the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan, Simmons says he is driven by the desire to reach kids who have been dismissed and disregarded. His out-of-the-box approach to teaching includes a blended learning plan, which aims to expand children's knowledge through technology. Subsequently, a traditional classroom becomes what Simmons refers to as a "laboratory of learning." (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

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Drive Educator - As the Executive Innovation Officer for the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan, Simmons says he is driven by the desire to reach kids who have been dismissed and disregarded. His out-of-the-box approach to teaching includes a blended learning plan, which aims to expand children's knowledge through technology. Subsequently, a traditional classroom becomes what Simmons refers to as a "laboratory of learning." (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

A Newfound Passion - “What sparked my interest in education was building relationships with students. The ability to engage with young people sparked an interest in me that I never knew existed,” Simmons told BET.com "Being able to work with them through homework and through activities that they enjoyed just became something that was of great interest to me."(Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

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A Newfound Passion - “What sparked my interest in education was building relationships with students. The ability to engage with young people sparked an interest in me that I never knew existed,” Simmons told BET.com "Being able to work with them through homework and through activities that they enjoyed just became something that was of great interest to me."(Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

Record of Success - Simmons also has a remarkable track record of success not only in the creation of innovative education, but in the implementation of it as well. In nearly three months, student performance at one Washington, D.C., school improved by at least a grade level, thanks to Simmons' blended learning approach. Student engagement also went through the roof.(Photo: BET)

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Record of Success - Simmons also has a remarkable track record of success not only in the creation of innovative education, but in the implementation of it as well. In nearly three months, student performance at one Washington, D.C., school improved by at least a grade level, thanks to Simmons' blended learning approach. Student engagement also went through the roof.(Photo: BET)

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Impacting the Washington, D.C., School System - Now 22 other Washington, D.C., schools are doing blended learning, leveraging technology and teaching differently, with thousands of children in D.C. alone being impacted. "The digital divide is real for African-Americans, in particular students of color and males of color," he told BET.com. "We're spending so much time playing video games and for entertainment purposes. My intent is to introduce the technology and leverage it in a way where students can get the kind of remediation that they need in urban schools, as well as the acceleration of how to utilize those things to engage in the top jobs in technology." (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

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Impacting the Washington, D.C., School System - Now 22 other Washington, D.C., schools are doing blended learning, leveraging technology and teaching differently, with thousands of children in D.C. alone being impacted. "The digital divide is real for African-Americans, in particular students of color and males of color," he told BET.com. "We're spending so much time playing video games and for entertainment purposes. My intent is to introduce the technology and leverage it in a way where students can get the kind of remediation that they need in urban schools, as well as the acceleration of how to utilize those things to engage in the top jobs in technology." (Photo: courtesy Kwame Simmons)

Giving Back to His Hometown - His current position as the Executive Innovation Officer for the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan makes Simmons responsible for a cluster of schools, including the historic Detroit-based Mumford High School. He also oversees the curriculum, assessment and instruction for the urban schools within the district.(Mumford High School. Photo: BET)

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Giving Back to His Hometown - His current position as the Executive Innovation Officer for the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan makes Simmons responsible for a cluster of schools, including the historic Detroit-based Mumford High School. He also oversees the curriculum, assessment and instruction for the urban schools within the district.(Mumford High School. Photo: BET)

Can't Stop, Won't Stop - "I have an unyielding drive, an unquestionable thirst for success, to win," Simmons told BET.com. "I can’t fathom losing, so I work really hard to win."(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Can't Stop, Won't Stop - "I have an unyielding drive, an unquestionable thirst for success, to win," Simmons told BET.com. "I can’t fathom losing, so I work really hard to win."(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

An Honoree - On Jan. 24, 2015, Simmons became the first person to be awarded the Digital Special Recognition Honoree at the BET Honors. "I represent the face that many will never see: the tough, the grit, the grind of Detroit city," he said during his moving acceptance speech.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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An Honoree - On Jan. 24, 2015, Simmons became the first person to be awarded the Digital Special Recognition Honoree at the BET Honors. "I represent the face that many will never see: the tough, the grit, the grind of Detroit city," he said during his moving acceptance speech.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

On His Love for Education - "The devotion of my life to education has a lot to do with loving and supporting people," said Simmons. "I've always enjoyed connecting and building relationships with people."(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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On His Love for Education - "The devotion of my life to education has a lot to do with loving and supporting people," said Simmons. "I've always enjoyed connecting and building relationships with people."(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

A Strong Foundation - The proud husband and father is always looking for new ways to improve classroom experiences. "I always live and walk with the weight of all Black people on my shoulders. I wanna make sure that another person of color has an opportunity to do something like I’m doing when I leave," he told BET.com. Regarding his transformative work, he also noted, “It allows me to build a team of young people who are prepared to engage in a war that they don’t even know is being waged against them."(Photo: Derrick Salters/WENN.com)

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A Strong Foundation - The proud husband and father is always looking for new ways to improve classroom experiences. "I always live and walk with the weight of all Black people on my shoulders. I wanna make sure that another person of color has an opportunity to do something like I’m doing when I leave," he told BET.com. Regarding his transformative work, he also noted, “It allows me to build a team of young people who are prepared to engage in a war that they don’t even know is being waged against them."(Photo: Derrick Salters/WENN.com)