“I’m ready to see the magic of learning light a fire in our youth—and watch them grow up to change the world.”
— Carrie Grace
VPI + GEI = Actionable Impact
A Vision Born from Passion and Purpose
At the heart of Grace Education Institute (GEI) is a simple yet powerful belief: every child deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of where they live or what their ZIP code says about their future.
Founded by Cleveland native, educator, Firefighter/EMT and visionary leader Carrie Grace, Grace Education Institute was born out of a fierce passion for equity and an unwavering commitment to support both private and public educational spaces in reaching their full potential. Through the VitalPath Initiative (VPI), the institute puts purpose into practice, creating a focused, action-driven platform to deliver impactful, equitable, and innovative programming where it’s needed most.
Meet Our Founder: Carrie Grace
For Carrie, the work is deeply personal. A former foster child who was fortunate to be adopted at an early age, she grew up witnessing how limited access to resources and opportunities can create long-term barriers for children, barriers that often persist well into adulthood. These early experiences shaped her unshakable belief that every child, regardless of zip code or circumstance, deserves access to high-quality education and a community that believes in their potential.
After graduating from college, Carrie began her educational career teaching in affluent neighborhoods in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland. But it wasn’t until she was offered the opportunity to serve as an administrator in the heart of inner-city Cleveland that she discovered her true calling. “I had found my home,” she says, a reflection of the purpose she felt working alongside communities that mirrored her own challenges.
Grace Education Institute is the embodiment of that calling: a mission-driven organization that brings people together to reimagine education, empower students, and build schools where equity is more than a goal, it’s the foundation.
The fact that growing up in poverty can directly impact a child’s access to quality education and essential support still blows my mind,” says Carrie. “It’s unacceptable, not just for the students who are left behind, but for our entire society. Enough is enough.” A visionary and lifelong learner, Carrie has always been someone who sees possibility where others see limitation. She believes that the key to transforming education lies in authentic collaboration, creating space for teachers, families, and community leaders to engage in real conversations about what’s working, what’s not, and how we can build something better together.
“Teachers are masters of their craft,” she says. “If we invite them into the conversation, instead of assuming we have all the answers, we’ll begin to unlock the kind of transformation in education that we’ve only dreamed of.”
Carrie’s leadership reflects her deep belief that diversity in education isn’t just a strength, it’s essential. Her vision for Grace Education Institute is a future where schools public and private alike and students from all backgrounds have access to the tools, opportunities, and inspiration they need to thrive and where educators are empowered and supported every step of the way.
“I’m ready for a change,” Carrie shares. “I’m ready to see what Cleveland truly has to offer its children. I’m ready to see the magic of learning light a fire in our youth and watch them grow up to change the world.”
Grace Education Institute is more than an organization. It’s a movement. And we invite you to be part of it