Yolo County Superintendent of Schools Garth Lewis. 

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) – The California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators has honored Yolo County Superintendent of Schools Garth Lewis with the 2025 Charlie Mae Knight and Rex Fortune Superintendent of the Year Award for excellence in education.

The announcement was made on March 26 during the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators’ annual Professional Development Conference in Los Angeles.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Lewis. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the incredible educators, staff, community partners and families I have the privilege of working with in Yolo County. I am inspired every day by our students and remain committed to ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.”

Yolo County Board of Education President Armando Salud-Ambriz praised Lewis for his leadership.

“We are incredibly proud of Superintendent Lewis and this well-deserved recognition. His unwavering commitment to equity, educational excellence, and student well-being continues to have a profound impact on Yolo County and beyond,” said Salud-Ambriz.

Lewis made history as the first African-American elected to the role of county superintendent in Yolo County. He was first elected in 2018 and re-elected to a second term in 2022. 

His 28-year career in kindergarten through 12th-grade education includes 20 years in Yolo County where Lewis has served as a paraeducator, teacher, site and district administrator, and assistant superintendent of instructional services and equity at the Yolo County Office of Education.

Lewis actively contributes to education and youth development organizations. He represents kindergarten through 12th-grade education on the First 5 Yolo Children and Families Commission, the Yolo County Child Care Planning Council, Head Start Policy Council and the Collaborative for Woodland Youth.

In 2022, an area newspaper recognized Lewis as one of the “Top 25 Black Change Makers” in the Sacramento region.

As county superintendent, Lewis oversees the Yolo County Office of Education’s 330 employees and collaborates closely with the county’s five school districts and key community partners to ensure all children receive a high-quality public education.

For more information about the Yolo County Office of Education, visit ycoe.org.