Is 24 too young to be a principal? Not at this Charlotte middle school
Kenneth Gorham’s pain pushed him into purpose.
He just didn’t realize it would happen so soon.
Gorham is the 25-year-old principal of Movement Freedom Middle School, a charter in Charlotte that serves sixth and seventh-grade students. Eighth grade will be added next year.
He’s made headlines for his age: he’s the youngest principal ever in the Movement network of five schools in the Charlotte area. He’s also the youngest principal currently serving in Charlotte. He’s more than two decades younger than the average age of a public school principal — 48 — according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Still, Gorham says he belongs here. He greets students, who he calls “scholars,” every day with a hug or high-five and works to ensure they feel a sense of safety and identity within the hallways.
“One of the reasons I dreamed of becoming a principal is because I saw myself in so many of the scholars I taught,” said Gorham, who started his education career as a classroom teacher at Movement for two years.
When the school year began, he was 24.
“For people who say 24-25 is too young to lead a school, I say age no longer serves as a prerequisite to walk in excellence,” he said. “Success has no age limit.”
His age and position are getting him noticed, though, including being featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show in November.
“God has blown my mind,” he wrote on Facebook.
Original plan in the courtroom
Gorham grew up in Charlotte and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina A&T State University with a minor in criminal justice. His original plan was to be a family court judge and advocate for children who face difficult experiences in their childhood.
Throughout childhood, Gorham says he dealt with physical and emotional abuse after his mom Stephanie Massey-Gorham died of cancer.
He was 12 when she died and forced into the juvenile court and social services systems for custody battles. He lived in three different homes until he graduated and was even removed from a home at one point.
“I absolutely had to grow up fast,” he said. “(My circumstances) are why I connect well with all children.”
Gorham credits his relationship with God and his mom for his ambition and heart.
“She drilled success and achievement into me relentlessly,” he said. “Success is my only option because my mother endured so much calamity but still held herself to a high standard of excellence and trusted God through everything. She is my model for resilience and faith in God.”
‘God-given purpose’
Movement School Superintendent Jenika Mullen encouraged Gorham to apply for the role because she wasn’t concerned about his age. Instead, his commitment to students and “cheerleader spirit” stood out after two years of teaching and serving as the school’s instructional coach for the 2021-22 year. He worked with teachers in math and reading. In both subjects, Freedom Middle achieved double-digit growth on statewide End of Grade Assessments.
The Title I school serves about 200 students and 98% of the population is minority students.
”Kenneth showed up well in an intense principal interview,” Mullen said. “Kenneth’s willingness to be challenged and receive critical feedback graciously is what let me know that he was going to excel as principal.”
Mullen says it’s unfortunate people discriminate against young leaders.
“It is an outdated belief that age and experience are synonymous with being highly qualified,” she said. “I believe that being seasoned is valuable, but it is not the only factor that determines success. Someone’s ability to acquire new skills, leverage strengths and inspire others is what makes for a highly qualified leader.”
Gorham is also Movement’s first male principal. The national percentage of female principals in May 2020 data was 10% higher than those who were men, according to NCES.
“I’ve never felt more that I’m walking in my God-given purpose than now,” he said. “I believe in pouring into the whole child, not just academics but also character development. The adult culture within my building with staff currently is at an all-time high. We understand that the work we do is not hard work, but heart work,” he said.
On his first day as principal on Aug. 22, he took to Facebook to dedicate “a unique calling” that felt like a dream.
“If nothing else, Mommy this is for you,” he wrote. “Every prayer you’ve prayed and word you’ve spoken over my life has come to pass. You are my heart forever. All of your hard work was not in vain. This is for you.”
This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 1:13 PM.
