Alhassan Susso was born in The Gambia and was nearly blind from a degenerative eye condition. Susso immigrated to the United States at the age of 16 with dreams as vast as the Atlantic he crossed. Today, he is not only a celebrated educator but a beacon of hope for underserved youth, proving that adversity can be a catalyst for greatness.
Arriving in America as a teenager, Susso faced staggering challenges, from navigating a new culture to overcoming the emotional and physical hurdles of his vision loss. Yet, he persevered, earning honours in Political Science and History at the University of Vermont and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College. His story is chronicled in his memoir, The Light of Darkness: The Story of the Griots’ Son, a powerful narrative of his trials, triumphs, and unwavering connection to his African roots.
At the International Community High School in the South Bronx, where Susso teaches Government, Economics, and Personal Development, he has redefined what it means to be an educator. His groundbreaking program, Inspiring Teens’ Future, has raised the school’s graduation rate from 31% to an astounding 84.9% in just five years. By fostering a relationship-based teaching approach, Susso has empowered over 1,000 students to dream bigger and achieve more.
The program, built on five core skills — mindset, vision, goal-setting, interpersonal communication, and leadership — has yielded remarkable results. Standardized exam pass rates jumped from 29% to 69% in just one year, with 100% of participants advancing to college.
Named the 2019 New York State Teacher of the Year and recognized as one of the ‘Top 50 Outstanding Educators in the World’ by the Varkey Foundation, he has earned accolades for his innovative teaching methods and dedication to social-emotional learning. His awards, including the prestigious Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence, Daylight Africa Award, and multiple Cultural Innovator honours, underscore his exceptional contributions to education.
As a speaker, Susso inspires audiences at global platforms such as the United Nations, Google for Education, and the Global Education and Skills Forum. His expertise in therapeutic crisis intervention and relationship-based teaching has made him a sought-after trainer for educators across the U.S.
Susso’s path to education was inspired by tragedy. His sister’s untimely death, a result of her inability to access medical care in the U.S., motivated him to initially pursue immigration law. However, he realized his true calling lay in empowering young minds, ensuring they had the opportunities his sister never did.
In addition to his classroom work, Susso collaborates with organizations like Peace December and the Sauti Yetu Center to address societal challenges, including reducing school violence and teenage pregnancy. His students have even co-created educational resources, exemplifying how his teaching extends into real-world impact.
