Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Atasha M. James, M.Ed., ABD
Building a school where 900 scholars become legends.
Chief Executive Officer · June 2019 – Present
900
Scholars Served
200
Team Members
6+
Years Leading Legends
K–8
Grades Served
Atasha M. James, M.Ed., ABD, is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Legends Public Charter School, a tuition-free K–8 public charter school in Lanham, Maryland, which she has led since June 2019. Before Legends, she co-founded Equity Now, Inc. in 2017 and served as its CEO until 2019, and in 2016 she co-founded Equitable Ink, LLC. From 2011 to 2016 she was principal of Leckie Elementary School in DC Public Schools, where she received the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership in 2014 and served as an inaugural Mary Jane Fellow mentor principal. She was previously an assistant principal in Anne Arundel County Public Schools and Buffalo Public Schools, and an adjunct with the Teacher Education Institute at the University at Buffalo. Atasha completed the coursework for a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration at the University at Buffalo, where she also earned her master's and bachelor's degrees and a School District Leadership certificate. She holds a permanent New York State PreK–6 teaching license, speaks Spanish and is a Marquis Who's Who honored listee. Her writing has appeared on the White House blog and with the Green Schools National Network.
Before Legends, she co-founded and led Equity Now, Inc., and in 2019 she moved from Equity Now to lead the new school: read how Equity Now laid the groundwork.
"Every scholar deserves a school built around their brilliance, not their zip code."
Leading Legends
As Chief Executive Officer, Atasha oversees all operational and fiscal functions of Legends Public Charter School, ensuring the organization runs with excellence and integrity.
She leads a team of nearly 200 educators, support staff, and AmeriCorps Fellows, building a culture of high expectations and relentless care.
Under her leadership, Legends has grown from a founding vision to a thriving K–8 school serving 900 scholars across Prince George's County.
The Two Hats
In addition to her CEO role, Atasha serves as Chief Academic Officer, leading the design and implementation of Legends' liberation-centered curriculum.
She provides instructional leadership, coaches teachers, and ensures that every classroom reflects the school's values of excellence, equity, and joy.
Her dual role ensures that academic outcomes and operational sustainability are never in tension—they're two sides of the same mission.
Career Timeline
2019 – Present
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Legends Public Charter School
2017 – 2019
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Equity Now, Inc.
2016 – Present
Co-Founder
Equitable Ink, LLC
2011 – 2016
Principal
Leckie Education Campus, DC Public Schools
Earned three-year High Performing Principal appointment. Featured in Washington Post.
2010 – 2011
Assistant Principal
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
2008 – 2011
Assistant Principal
Buffalo Public Schools
2008 – 2009
Adjunct Faculty
Teacher Education Institute, University at Buffalo
Education
Ed.D. Coursework (ABD)
Educational Leadership & Administration
University at Buffalo
M.Ed.
Educational Leadership and Policy
SUNY Buffalo
B.A.
Health and Human Services
SUNY Buffalo
Also holds M.Ed. Elementary Education (SUNY Buffalo), School District Leadership Certificate, Permanent PreK–6 NYS Teaching License
Recognition & Leadership
Honored Listee, Marquis Who's Who of Professional Women (2025)
Co-Chair, Prince George's County Chapter, Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools
Manati Fellow, National Charter Collaborative
Member, NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals)
Former Education Advisor, Washington Commanders Charitable Foundation
Recognized by The White House for "Planting Seeds of Service"
Founding Board Member, Young Miss Buffalo Pageant