Leadership
Meet Principal Ebony Davis
Mrs. Ebony Davis believes that every child should have the opportunity to experience success and deserves a learning environment that meets their individual needs while ensuring the child grows, feels valued and celebrated.
Prior to becoming principal, Mrs. Davis served as Assistant Principal at Highland Springs High School in neighboring Henrico County Public Schools. She played an integral role in improving the school’s On-Time Graduation rate and was responsible for overseeing academic gains in the areas of science instruction and workplace skills credentialing testing. Additionally, she focused on cultivating a positive school community and strengthening community engagement through the implementation of various building initiatives while serving as assistant principal.
She brings over a decade of educational experience serving students in urban and suburban backgrounds with diverse academic and social needs. Her experiences include secondary science teacher, dean of students and assistant principal at schools in the Central Virginia area. In all of Mrs. Davis’ roles, she has always led the implementation for new programs and best practices for teaching and learning.
Mrs. Davis earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemistry from Norfolk State University. She also holds a Master’s of Education in Educational Management from Strayer University and a Master’s of Education in Administration and Supervision from Norfolk State University.
Meet Assistant Principal Suzette M. Flowers
Suzette M. Flowers holds a Post Masters certification in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Richmond. She possesses 24 years of experience in education serving as a classroom teacher, both elementary and secondary. Mrs. Flowers understands the importance of building relationships with students, staff, and the community. Her ultimate goal is to provide educational experiences in the best interests of students that enable them to reach their greatest potential in school and in life.
Mrs. Flowers earned her Bachelor of Arts in English/ Mass Communications and Master of Arts in History from Virginia State University. Currently, she has served for two years as an administrator for Richmond Public Schools. Prior to school administration, she served as a Secondary English teacher with Chesterfield County Public Schools, an elementary and secondary teacher with Sussex County Public Schools, and one year as a teacher with Columbus Public Schools in a looped classroom setting, grades 4 and 5.
In her spare time, she loves cheering on her hometown team, THE Ohio State Buckeyes, spending time with family, movies, reading, and traveling.
Meet Assistant Principal Frenishee Smith
Assistant Principal Frenishee Brown Smith is a Richmond native and a proud product of Richmond Public Schools. During her 26 years with RPS, Mrs. Smith has served as a substitute teacher, third-grade teacher, curriculum writer, Title 1 Math teacher, and Assistant Principal. She has been recognized as RPS 2009 Teacher of the Year and she received the REB Award for distinguished teaching in 2017.
Mrs. Smith is passionate about instruction and leadership. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Post- post-graduate certificate in Education Leadership and Supervision from the University of Richmond. Her undergraduate studies were completed at Virginia Union University.
This year she is starting her fourth year as Assistant Principal at James H. Blackwell committed to building meaningful relationships with students, parents, the staff at Blackwell, and the Blackwell community.
Assistant Principal Smith believes that every child can and will learn if given the opportunity and the support needed. She is excited to help lead the staff at Blackwell this year as they “Plant Seeds to Promote Literacy”.