The Face of EDUCATION SUPPORT Spirit of Excellence Carla Powell Lewis, Founder PHOTO CREDIT: BUTTERFLIES OF HOPE PHOTOGRAPHY
C arla Powell Lewis is the embodi- ment of what it means to come full circle.Raised in Baton Rouge as a Black girl shaped by faith, family, and public education, Carla’s story is one of purpose ful- filled through service. She is a proud product of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools—schools that did more than educate her; they instilled resilience, responsibility, and a belief that education could change lives. That belief followed her into the classroom, where she spent more than two decades teaching social studies and civic education to middle and high school students. Carla didn’t just teach history—she taught students how to see themselves as participants in it. Her classrooms were spaces of dialogue, critical thinking, and empowerment, grounded in the conviction that education should affirm identity while expanding opportunity. A two-time graduate of Southern University, Carla’s academic journey reflects both excel- lence and endurance. But credentials alone do not define her. She is first and foremost a woman of God, guided by faith in every role she holds. Her leadership is prayerful, princi- pled, and deeply relational. Carla’s transition from classroom teacher to elected school board member was not a departure from education—it was an expan- sion of her calling. As a representative for educators and families, she brings the voices of classrooms into boardrooms, ensuring that policy decisions honor the lived experiences of students, teachers, and parents. As a mother of an East Baton Rouge Parish Schools graduate, her work is personal. As a community advocate still living in the neigh- borhoods that raised her, her accountability is real. And as the founder of Spirit of Excellence Learning Systems, her impact now reaches beyond city limits—supporting educators and families nationally and internationally. Carla Powell Lewis is not simply building programs; she is building legacy. One rooted in faith, shaped by community, and driven by the belief that excellence is both a standard and a responsibility.
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Faces & Places ® | Winter 2026 47
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