KIPP Tulsa News
Donterrio Marzett’s Journey to Superintendent of KIPP Tulsa Schools
Written by Eddie Washington; published on The Black Wall Street Times
TULSA, Okla. — Donterrio Marzett had many career interests as a child; with his interest in music, lawyers, and doctors, he could have grown up to be the next Quincy Jones, Damario Solomon-Simmons, Esq., or world-renowned doctor to advance medicine — before discovering his true calling: education.
In middle school, he wanted to be the first Black president of the United States. “Barack beat me to that, so it changed direction,” he said.
His desire to become the first Black president led him to become a criminal justice major during his first year at Langston University. Despite majoring in criminal justice, he never had a deep passion for becoming a lawyer. He just knew he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.
“I always knew that I wanted to make a change or do something to impact the community, families, and students, or whatever,” he told The Black Wall Street Times.
A light bulb came in high school when he was a youth camp counselor in a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) summer program. Working as a camp counselor during that time enshrined his long-term desire to work with them.
“Hit ‘Em with the Flight of the Bumblebee”
Music had always been in Marzett’s DNA. A former Booker T. Washington High School’s T-Connection Band member, he found himself drawn back to music in college. In his second semester, he made the bold leap—switching from criminal justice to music education, setting the stage for a career that would blend passion and leadership.
During his time at Langston, Marzett took on leadership roles in various organizations on campus. In the fall of 2005, he joined the Beta Kappa chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, where he served as president of the chapter for two years. In his senior year, he became a drum major before being promoted to head drum major; he was a member of the Student Government Association.