Chris Darby is a learner and educator passionate about supporting people to increase their capacity to communicate, cooperate, and lead across differences. Born and raised in Berkeley, California, Chris began working as an educator when he was a junior at Berkeley High School—since then, he has spent time in different corners of the education field, supporting learners ranging from September Kindergarteners to Fortune 500 executives. His practice is informed by compassionate curiosity, a growth model of learning, and a belief that positioning informs strategy.

Chris studied the African Diaspora and Colonial Americas at Columbia University, graduating magna cum laude with a BA in history in 2009. In 2015, Chris was awarded the Urban Scholar Fellowship to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he earned his MA studying community engagement, peace education, and curriculum development. The following year he was a Scholar in Residence at the MindKind Institute for Mindful Leadership in New York before returning home to the Bay Area. Currently, Chris serves as the Director of Strategic Collaboration at The Brotherhood of Elders Network, organizing towards educational equity for Black students and families in Oakland and beyond.