Dominick Robinson’s journey is a testament to resilience, transformation, and empowerment. Growing up in Oakland, he faced challenges that could have shaped his future differently—but instead, he rewrote his script. Turning doubt into drive and obstacles into opportunities, he has become a powerful force in education leadership, breaking barriers and ensuring every child gets the support they need to succeed.
Who is Dominick Robinson?
- · Education Leader & Policy Advocate – State level Director, focused on the Whole Child in California
- · Holistic Student Success Champion – Focusing on access to diverse educational pathways, robust school-based health services, safe and inclusive learning environments, and prevention programs addressing substance use and promoting student well-being.
- · Community Builder – Strengthens partnerships and holistic supports for students, families, and school communities
- · Program Innovator – Led initiatives in special education equity, school-based health and wellbeing, chronic absenteeism reduction, and expanding STEAM pathways for at-promise youth in Oakland.
- · National Impact – Former senior leadership roles at state and district education agencies in the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, and California, driving large-scale education reforms
- Dominick is a proud graduate of Morehouse College, Rutgers Law, The Broad Center, and advanced studies at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
👉 Read the full interview for his insights on leadership, Black excellence, and leaving a lasting legacy.
Pump It Up Magazine: Your journey from childhood challenges to becoming a leader in education and policy is inspiring. What key lesson did you learn early on that shaped your leadership path?
Dominick Robinson: You know, looking back, the biggest lesson I learned early on is that setbacks, no matter how tough they seem, are rarely the end of the story. As I like to put it, “most failures are neither fatal nor final.” And that’s not just a phrase; it’s something I really lived through.
Growing up, my dad was like a superhero to me. He started as a forest firefighter and then moved on to Chevron. But around nine, things changed – he lost his job and struggled with addiction. It was extremely tough, but he fought back, rebuilt, and came back stronger and better than ever. That taught me a powerful lesson: we’re all greater than our worst failures, with the ability to rise above our challenges.
Later, my Uncle Bill, an incredible educational leader in Oakland, added another layer: he told me, think of life like a movie. If you don’t like your role, rewrite your script to inspire your respect. Re-center yourself as the heroic figure. That allowed me to not give up on myself.
But I didn’t passively accept that lesson; I actively rewrote my own script at a parent-teacher conference. It’s funny, because I had been labeled an advanced learner at my previous school. However, during this meeting, a teacher told my mom that I wasn’t likely to succeed in school or in life. I watched my mom cry for the first time, and something inside got focused. I told them, “There’s nothing wrong with me. I just haven’t been trying and haven’t been motivated. But give me a chance, and I will prove you all wrong.” And I’m proud to say that I’ve succeeded.
Those experiences shaped my leadership. I used to think success was about luck, but I learned that it’s more about taking charge of your own script and story, even when things get tough. It’s this mindset that drives me to create opportunities for others to rewrite their own scripts and truly lead the lives that they want to live.
Pump It Up Magazine: Black excellence is about resilience, innovation, and breaking barriers. What does Black excellence mean to you, and how do you embody it in your work?
Dominick Robinson: Black excellence, to me, is something deeply personal and also communal. On an individual level, it’s about consistently pushing myself to be better, and to achieve high standards in everything I do. But it’s so much more than just personal success. It’s fundamentally about living in a way that honors and respects our history and contributions and consciously paves the way for those who are coming after us.
In my work, I try to embody this by creating systems and programs that support the holistic needs of all students. For example, earlier in my career, when I served as the director of Students, Families, and Community Initiatives for a large state education agency in the South, I led an initiative to address inequities in special education. We were tackling some really entrenched issues – like the disproportionate rates at which Black students were more likely to face disciplinary action or be placed in restrictive settings.
This work wasn’t just about compliance for the state. It was about fundamentally changing a system that wasn’t serving all kids equally. We truly believed – and I still believe to my core – that every child, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face, deserves the chance to reach their full potential.
That’s what Black excellence means to me in action: using our positions, our resources, and our knowledge to lift up our community.
It’s about more than just making it to a certain point; it’s about then asking yourself, “I’ve made it to this point, now how can I make sure others have an even better shot, and even greater odds of a successful and holistically healthy and wealthy life?”
Throughout all of my leadership roles, I’ve tried to keep this focus. How can we provide the best support to the students who need it most? That’s the question that continuously drives me. I think it’s truly at the heart of what Black excellence is all about: not just succeeding ourselves, but working to create a lasting and self-sustaining legacy of success and empowerment for others.
Pump It Up Magazine: You’ve led initiatives in education, housing, and public policy. What’s one achievement that you’re most proud of that has directly impacted the Black community?
Dominick Robinson: The achievement I’m most proud of is the STEAM Pathways Acceleration Program we created for at-promise students in Oakland, my hometown. This program is really close to my heart because it’s about opening doors in STEAM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math – for kids who might not otherwise get these opportunities.
Growing up in Oakland, I saw firsthand the challenges many students face. But I also saw the incredible potential. This program is about tapping into that potential and giving these students the tools they need to thrive.
We partnered with local organizations and a local community college to create something really special. Students got to participate in hands-on STEAM activities, take college prep courses, and even used a state-of-the-art fabrication lab at the College of Alameda. Imagine being a high school student and getting to use cutting-edge technology to bring your own designs to life – it’s pretty amazing!
But it wasn’t just about the tech skills. We also focused on leadership development and career readiness. We wanted these students to leave the program not just with new skills, but with a clearer vision of their future and the confidence to pursue it.
The results were really encouraging. After the summer pilot, 85% of the students said the program improved their leadership and communication skills. Even more exciting, 89% said they felt more motivated to go to college after completing the program.
At the closing celebration, I remember telling the students – many of whom came from Oakland Unified School District schools – that our goal was to give them the tools to create their own designs, their own projects, their own futures. Seeing their excitement and confidence, that’s when I knew we were onto something special.
Now, we’re working on expanding this program across California. It’s about creating a ripple effect, you know? These students will go on to inspire others, to create change in their communities. That’s the kind of impact I’m most proud of – the kind that keeps growing.
Pump It Up Magazine: Representation matters. As a Black leader, what message do you have for young Black men and women who want to make a difference but face obstacles?
Dominick Robinson: You know, I often think about the concept of Ubuntu, that beautiful African philosophy that says, “I am because we are.” It’s a reminder that our destinies are interconnected, that we rise and fall together.
So, my message to young Black men and women who want to make a difference but are facing those inevitable obstacles is this: First, remember that your experience is your testimony. Everything you’ve been through, the challenges you’ve overcome – that’s your strength. Don’t dismiss it, don’t downplay it. It’s what makes you, you.
Second, remember what protects and preserves you. What are those core values, those beliefs, those relationships that keep you grounded? Hold onto them tight, especially when the world feels like it’s spinning out of control.
And third, always remember the principle of compensation. Life isn’t always fair, we know that. Sometimes you have to fight for what you deserve. Have the courage to ask for what you really need, accept and use what life gives you, but never stop compensating for the difference. If you’re dealt a bad hand, figure out how to play it to your advantage.
Finally, find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Motivation must have content – combine your personal ambitions or goals with a sense of purpose, a commitment to something righteous and heroic. For me, it’s been my faith in God and my love for my people. That’s what keeps me going when I want to quit.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re facing systemic challenges, but never forget the power of your purpose and presence. You are here for a reason. You are needed. And as you climb, reach back and lift others with you. Your success isn’t just for you; it’s for all those who come after you.
Pump It Up Magazine: At one point, you were told you weren’t capable, yet you proved everyone wrong. How can young people who feel underestimated turn doubt into fuel for success?
Dominick Robinson: That’s a great question, and it’s something I’ve thought a lot about. I remember listening to Jay-Z’s song “So Ambitious” and just connecting with that line, “the motivation for me is them telling me what I could not be.” For a long time, that was my mindset, that was my fuel. I was determined to prove all the doubters and haters wrong.
And you know what? It worked. I’ve achieved more than what people thought I could ever achieve. But here’s the thing – what’s your motivation after you’ve surpassed everybody’s expectations? After a while, I realized that type of motivation is a double-edged sword. It’s powerful, sure, but it also gives other people too much power and control over your life. You’re still letting them define your goals and fuel your motivation, even if you’re trying to defy them.
What I discovered is that the most sustainable, fulfilling motivation comes from within. It’s about getting to know yourself, loving yourself, and honoring your own unique gifts and passions. It’s about asking yourself, “What do I really want out of life? What am I truly passionate about?” And then setting goals that are bigger than anyone else’s expectations.
Now, my motivation is to outdo what I thought was my personal best. I challenge myself to be better today than I was yesterday, to be more authentic, more courageous, more myself. We’re all more than what we think, and we deserve the best that life has to offer.
So, to those young people who feel misunderstood and underestimated, I say: Use that doubt as a spark, but don’t let it consume you. Dig deeper, find your own fire, and let that guide you.
Pump It Up Magazine: Many young Black professionals struggle with finding mentorship and support. What advice do you have for those looking to build networks and step into leadership?
Dominick Robinson: You know, finding the right mentors and building a solid network can be tough, but it’s so important, especially for young Black professionals. My advice would be to really embrace the power of being yourself, authentically, unapologetically you.
See, when you’re clear about who you are and what you want, it becomes much easier to connect with people who can support you on your journey. And even if you’re still figuring things out, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Don’t let the fear of being judged hold you back.
I think a lot of us worry about what others will think if we ask for help or admit we don’t know something. We’re afraid of looking stupid or incompetent. But the truth is, nobody has all the answers. We all need support along the way.
So, be brave enough to be vulnerable. Seek out people whose work you admire, whose values resonate with you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for guidance. Most people are happy to share their knowledge and experience.
And remember, networking isn’t just about what you can get; it’s also about what you can give. Look for opportunities to support others, to share your own talents and insights.
Building genuine relationships is key to creating a strong, supportive network. The journey to finding the right mentors and building a solid network can be transformative if one is courageous and unapologetically their self.
Pump It Up Magazine: If you could sit down with a young Black student who’s at a crossroads in life, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give them to stay motivated and keep pushing forward?
Dominick Robinson: If I could share one piece of advice with a young Black student facing a crossroads, it would be this: understand that you have the power to shape your reality. Too often, we feel like we’re just products of our environment, that life is something that happens to us, not something we actively create. But the truth is, you have a choice. You can choose to be a reflection of your circumstances, or you can choose to make your environment a reflection of your aspirations, your decisions, and your goals.
Remember, you are the decider. You possess agency. You are the authentic actor in your life. Now, I know that failure or repeated setbacks can make you feel powerless, like you’re just a victim of fate. And for some, circumstances truly limit their options. But for most of us, failure isn’t fatal. We have the capacity to learn, to adapt, to try a different approach.
That’s why I’d also stress the importance of continuous learning, especially during challenging times. I think Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” So, elevate your consciousness. Seek new knowledge, explore new perspectives, and never stop growing. This is how you break free from limiting cycles and create a future that aligns with your true potential.
Pump It Up Magazine: As we celebrate Black History Month, what legacy do you hope to leave behind, and how do you want to inspire the next generation of Black leaders?
Dominick Robinson: During Black History Month, I think about the countless individuals who fought for a better future, who paved the way for me to be where I am today. The legacy I hope to leave is one of holistic empowerment for my community, rooted in what I call “better black love.” This is about creating an environment where our children are not just surviving but thriving, where they have the freedom to actualize their full potential, unburdened by historical, systemic, or psychological limitations.
Imagine a world where our young people are never made to believe that they can’t achieve their dreams. What kind of innovation, what kind of progress would we unlock? That’s the future I’m committed to building.
To the next generation of Black leaders, I say: embrace education not just as a means to an end, but as a powerful tool for liberation and community uplift. Use your talents, your skills, your voice to create pathways for others. Never forget where you came from, and always strive to create a world where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to write their own success story.
My leadership philosophy is simple: provide opportunities for those who need the most support. As someone who benefitted from that kind of investment, I know firsthand the transformative power of deliberate, intentional support. That’s the legacy I hope to leave, and that’s the message I want to pass on to those who will lead the way forward.
💥 Don’t miss his exclusive cover feature in Pump It Up Magazine’s February 2025 edition—available everywhere in print and digital!
Dominick Robinson, JD, MBAc, M.Ed. – Education Leader | Policy Advocate | Community Builder
🔥 What’s Inside the February Issue?
✨ Exclusive Cover Story:
This month, we spotlight Dominick Robinson, a visionary leader transforming education and inspiring the next generation! His story of resilience, passion, and impact is a must-read for anyone striving to make a difference.
Dominick Robinson is a dedicated education and policy leader focused on equity, student well-being, and community empowerment. As Director of the Whole Child Division, he champions policies that support student health, safety, and academic success. With leadership roles at Guilford County Schools, the Texas Education Agency, and Oakland Housing Authority, he has driven transformative initiatives in mental health, special education, and workforce development. His work continues to impact students, families, and communities nationwide.
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