A Proud Native Of The West Side Of Chicago, IL, Andrea Riles Is A Courageous, Compassionate, And Purpose-Driven Special Educator And Advocate Of Black And Brown Youth. Her Purpose And Passion For Serving Our Youth And Communities Have Contributed To A Wide Range Of Experience: Teaching, Coaching, Mentoring, Public Speaking, And Developing And Leading School And Community-Based Initiatives.

Andrea Attended The Illustrious Howard University In Washington, D.C., Where She Earned Her BA In Political Science, Minoring In African American Studies. While At Howard, Andrea Served With The Department Of Homeland Security, Later Working At The White House In The Office Of The First Lady, Under The Obama Administration. Andrea Served As The Director Of Programs In Cape Town, South Africa, And Montego Bay, Jamaica, With One Heart Source, A Nonprofit Organization That Works In Partnership With Communities Around The World To Collaboratively Design Education And Health Initiatives That Provide Opportunities For Youth And Communities To Thrive. Andrea Understands The Importance And Value Of Giving Back To Her Community, So She Later Worked As The Motivational Mentorship Program Coordinator At Her High School Alma Mater, Oak Park, And River Forest HS. There, She Supported Underserved Students Academically, Socially, And Emotionally While Also Engaging In Racial Equity Work, Sitting On Several Committees Addressing The School’s Culture, Climate, And Behavior, And Facilitating Professional Development Around Teacher Pedagogy And The Impact Of Race On Teaching And Learning.

Andrea Recently Obtained Her Master Of Education At The University Of Illinois At Chicago (UIC). With The Belief That “Every Child Deserves A Champion,” Andrea Currently Works As A Special Educator At Westside HS In Houston, TX.

Andrea Not Only Uses Her Purpose And Passion In Her Profession But Also In Her Community And Personal Relationships. Andrea Is The Cofounder Of Study & Sip, A Platform For Women To Uniquely Encounter God While Cultivating And Promoting Spiritual Sistahood And Self-Improvement. She Is Also The Face Of PurposeLust, A Brand That Supports Discovering Purpose, Moving With Passion, And Committing To The Pursuit. As A Fearless Educator, Servant-Leader, And Chief Purpose Partner, Andrea Has Connected With Many Regardless Of Race, Age, Ability, Socioeconomic Background, Belief, And Ideology. A Charismatic Force And Purpose Partner For All, Andrea Lives By The Steve Maraboli Quote, “I Was Put On This Earth To Achieve My Greatest Self, To Live Out My Purpose And To Do It Fearlessly.”