About Us
Kevin Murphy
Kevin's career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion began 2013 where he learned the principles of DEI, learned under Chief Diversity Officer Michael D. Anthony, and mediated disputes to meet the organization's Title IX objectives. In 2015, he joined The Kaleidoscope Group (KG) under the leadership of industry leader Doug Harris. Here he served as their Senior Consultant, supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) services and the DEI program's of KG's 80+ consulting relationships. He also gained a reputation as an in-demand white male DEI speaker and facilitator, and founded the organization's Generational Focus Group "Tomorrow's Truth."
In 2020, Kevin founded his own social enterprise, The Jet City Coalition. The Jet City Coalition is the premier O'Hare Community Organization, with two signature programs "Free Shoveling" and "Free Gardening" supporting 51 senior, disabled, and low income neighbors in the communities around O'Hare.
Meni Sarris, Ed.D.
As Founder of the Spur Education Group, Meni's passion for education and community started at a very young age. From fourth grade, Meni knew he wanted to be in the education field for the rest of his life, but did not really know anything outside of becoming a teacher. Through years of volunteering, clubs, and work, he landed in Continuing Education and realized the impact it has on communities, and specifically those who need it the most.
Throughout his career, Meni has continued his work in CE with the foundational idea of helping the communities that need help through education beyond degrees. Whether it was building youth programs around the country, developing programs on base at Fort Benning, offering adult education programs while Dean at Malcolm X College in Chicago, or bringing programs to the prison system in Las Vegas, Meni has always been drawn to support these at-risk populations the most.
Our Methodology
Understand
Understanding is the first step in empowering those with the most to gain from education beyond degrees. If we didn’t take the time to understand the unique challenges and skills of each population with our community partners, we would be doing substandard work. We wouldn’t be able to achieve our mission without leaning on our partners who serve these groups relentlessly. It’s in fostering deep bonds and gaining an expert perspective on these students that we ensure the ability to match them up with a meaningful certificate opportunity.
It’s through our unshakable commitment to authentic partnerships and deep advocacy for the students that SpurPG gains its unique power to transform the education landscape for the people.
Connect
The second step in our process, once we’ve gained an adept perspective on the unique subset of students and their skills, is to match them with meaningful educational opportunities.
Spur will leverage all of their expertise to provide high-value, low-investment opportunities for our students. Through government-funded programs like WIOA, MyCAA, etc., and our relationships with some of the top CE departments across the country, our goal is to provide economic and societal empowerment at little to no cost to students.
Support
We do this work because it’s in our hearts and we see an educational landscape we can’t stand to accept any longer. If we aren’t fully supporting students attempting to transcend this antiquated system, we’re not doing our part to change lives. We understand the physical, emotional, and societal pressures of lifting one self to a higher level of existence, and are committed to easing that burden.
Apply
Once our students have completed their educational programs, we leverage individual and group coaching sessions to bridge the gap between education and a meaningful career. The direct need of employable skills are why we see so much power in them to save the American workforce and we guide our students in making that transition.
Our relationship with our community partners in managing the physical and emotional burden of this transition is essential to achievement of our mission. We like to say that the job isn’t complete until our students feel empowered and finished with this process.