About META
By impacting the lives of META students, we extend our impact to whole communities and broader society. See our vision, mission, and founding team below.
Vision: the impact
BIPOC students, those from other historically marginalized groups, and their allies will lead for, with, and in their communities and broader society. They are the educators, organizational and business leaders, civic leaders, creatives, and innovators of today and tomorrow.
Mission: how we get there
Students amplify their leadership and build the skills needed for career advancement by:
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Managing and engaging in authentic future, career, and socially-relevant projects, initiatives, and environments;
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Consistent reflection on their learning processes and goals;
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Building strong academic skills and healthy academic habits;
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Co-creating and developing school systems and policies;
Resulting in students who are equipped with the managerial, entrepreneurial, teaching, and artistic skills that allow them to design a more equitable future for themselves and their communities.
The Team
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Rico Gomez
Founder | ricogomez.meta@gmail.com
Rico Gomez is a proud DPS graduate. Attending Denison Montessori and then being part of Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy's (KCAA) first graduating class, he experienced the power of students exploring their passions, skills, and leadership in a hands-on way. He is passionate about creating a pipeline of people of color primed to disrupt oppressive systems and lead for their communities through leadership positions in college and career. Most recently, Rico designed and taught a Social Justice program at KIPP Colorado schools. He earned a degree in Business Marketing and Management from Regis University and a Master's in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Rico is currently a School Leader Resident at CEC Early College in North Denver.
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Rico's passion for the power of youth voice is rooted in working for Denver's communities from a young age. In high school, he was a member of KCAA's Student Board of Education. During college, off campus, he worked for Servicios De La Raza's DALE program to increase political engagement in communities of color. He also worked for Denver Public Schools' CareerConnect program and DSST Public Schools. On campus, he was chair of the Student Diversity Council then President of the Regis University Student Government Association.
Oliver Thornton
Co-Founder | oliverthornton.meta@gmail.com
Oliver was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. He experienced innovative education in high school, graduating from a boarding school where he stayed on a university campus and learned through rigorous courses.
Ollie has taught mathematics throughout his career. He taught middle school in Indianapolis, Indiana, and high school at KIPP Colorado Schools and Northfield High School. Oliver most recently built and expanded an innovative, self-sustaining math lab at Northfield high school, where students support peers to build their mathematical literacy and set goals for growth. Oliver is currently a Senior Team Lead at Northfield High School.
Khamani Murphy
School Development Associate
Khamani Murphy is a Colorado native and a KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy alum. He strives to constantly be engaged with his community, which in the past came through his involvement with his high school’s Student Board of Education. Khamani attends the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and is pursuing a business administration degree. As a current Student Ethics Ambassador at UCCS, he looks to engage with leadership opportunities where he pushes himself and others. Mentoring young students and involvement with education opportunities are Khamani’s passion.