Meet the Leadership Team

Leigh Daniels

Principal

This is my first year at Sankofa United Elementary and I am excited to lead our amazing community as your principal. 

Prior to coming to Sankofa United, I served at Brookfield Village Elementary from 2021 to 2026.

I have been in the field of education for over two decades as a teacher, vice principal, and  principal, working with students ranging from prekindergarten to adults. I have also worked for the Legislative Counsel Bureau as a Senior Legal, focusing on the Education Code, Family Code, and Penal Code. This experience, and having others in my family who are in the field of education, inspired me to want to become an advocate for all children and their families.

Erica Macklin

Community School Manager

Erica Macklin has worked with students and families for over a decade with the Oakland Unified School District. Throughout her career she has held many roles in leadership from a paraeducator to Resources Specialist. She has been on the Sankofa campus since 2014 as an advocate for students, families, and the community at large.As the Sankofa United Community School Manager, her role is critical in integrating the partnership work of the school with its academic mission. Erica serves as a high-level administrator by managing, leading, and coordinating the community work to support school and student needs. This work is accomplished by conducting ongoing needs assessments to provide proper alignment with school, student and family core values. Mrs. Macklin serves with a strong equity lens and strives for equality in education for all students.

Erica earned a bachelorś degree from Holy Names in Oakland, California and is a wife and mother of two daughters.