About Our Founder

Dr. Choquette Hamilton is social justice advocate and movement leader in the early childhood education sector. She is the Founder and CEO of the RISE Center for Liberation in Early Childhood Education, an anti-racist organization non-profit organization created to dismantle oppressive systems for children under the age of eight. 

Prior to founding RISE and the Liberation Studio, Dr. Hamilton served as the Managing Director of Culture, Diversity and Organizational Effectiveness for KIPP Texas Public Schools, Chief Operating Officer for KIPP Austin Public Schools (KAPS), Vice President of Operations for the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) and in various capacities at the University of Texas at Austin. Most proudly, Dr. Hamilton taught 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies as a Teach for America corps member in Philadelphia. 

Dr. Hamilton holds a B.A. in Sociology/African American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters of Elementary Education from St. Joseph's University, a Masters of Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in Educational Policy and Planning from the University of Texas at Austin.

In her spare time, Dr. Hamilton likes to exercise, read and hang out with her husband, two sons, and maltipoo.