Darnell Epps

Darnell Epps is a Baltimore native who now calls Cleveland, Ohio, home. He serves as the Director of Fair Play at Hawken School, a toddler-through-grade-12 independent school serving more than 1,300 students across four campuses in the Cleveland area. In this role, Darnell partners with faculty and administrators to foster an inclusive school culture where all community members experience belonging. He leads a cross-campus team of Fair Play practitioners and serves as a Dialogue facilitator and student trainer.

Prior to Hawken, Darnell served as Associate Director of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice (IDEAS) Center at Allegheny College. He also served as Senior Assistant Director of Admissions and Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment.

Earlier in his career, Darnell worked at Stevenson University, where he was recognized as Admissions Counselor of the Year by the CollegeBound Foundation for his outstanding advocacy and guidance of Baltimore City students through the college admissions and financial aid process. This recognition remains one of his proudest professional achievements.

Darnell holds a B.S. in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College and an M.A. in Music from Washington State University.

A skilled facilitator, presenter, and storyteller, Darnell has appeared as a guest on several podcasts. He is passionate about the arts, particularly dance, and studies with the Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, which is dedicated to West African storytelling, drumming, and dance. Outside of work, he volunteers at South Euclid United Church of Christ and enjoys spending time with his family.