Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

Kwame Sarfo-Mensah is the founder of Identity Talk Consulting, LLC, a global educational consulting firm that specializes in developing K-12 teachers into identity-affirming educators. Rooted in the core values of equity, empowerment, and authenticity, Identity Talk Consulting, LLC provides a range of professional learning experiences, including keynote speaking, virtual and in-person trainings, leadership consulting, and e-courses, to help educators sharpen their cultural responsiveness and anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) practices. The firm is licensed as a DESE-approved professional development provider and officially recognized as a Minority Owned Enterprise within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Prior to launching Identity Talk Consulting, Mr. Sarfo-Mensah served for nine years as a middle school math teacher in Philadelphia, PA and Boston, MA, where he was known not only for his instructional effectiveness but also for his student-centered, culturally affirming approach to teaching. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University, where his experiences as both a student and student-leader laid the foundation for his professional and pedagogical journey.
A staunch ambassador and advocate for teacher empowerment, Mr. Sarfo-Mensah has spoken at numerous national and international education conferences and continues to work diligently to support the recruitment and retention of teachers of color in the education system. In January 2019, he was one of 35 Massachusetts teachers of color selected by Commissioner Jeff Riley to join the inaugural cohort of the InSPIRED (In-Service Professionals Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity) Fellowship, an initiative created by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE). As an InSPIRED Teaching Fellow, he led professional development workshops for aspiring teachers at institutions such as Boston College, UMass Boston, and Worcester State University, and served as a guest speaker for teacher pipeline programs including Teach Western Mass, Generation Teach, and Worcester Public Schools’ Future Teachers Academy.

Over the course of his 18-year education career, Mr. Sarfo-Mensah has worked as a classroom teacher, author, consultant, and speaker across the United States, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.

Internationally, he has delivered high-impact workshops and keynotes for organizations such as the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC), International Schools Services (ISS), Ghana ASCD, Diverse Educators, and SENIA. He is also the host of the Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE podcast, where he spotlights the voices and work of culturally responsive educators around the globe.

Mr. Sarfo-Mensah’s work has been widely recognized and featured in platforms such as Education Week, Edutopia, WGBH News, Ed Post, The International Educator (TIE), Teaching Channel, and The Tavis Smiley Show. His accolades include being named the 2019 National Member of the Year by Black Educators Rock, Inc., and a Top Education Influencer by brightbeam, Inc. in both 2021 and 2022.

His latest book, Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom, recently received the 2025 IPPY Gold Medal for Best Education Commentary Book and the 2024 Foreword INDIES Gold Award for Best Education Book, further cementing his status as a thought leader in culturally responsive education.