The Council of the Great City Schools has announced the finalists for the 2026 Green-Garner Award, the nation’s highest honor in urban education leadership, and Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan is among them.

Sponsored by the Council, Scholastic, and HMH, the award is presented annually to either an outstanding urban school superintendent or school board member, in alternating years. This year, the award will be presented to a superintendent.

In addition to Dr. Sullivan, the finalists for the 2026 Green-Garner Award include Fabi Bagula, Superintendent of San Diego Unified School District, Adrienne Battle, Superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Alex Marrero, Superintendent, Denver Public Schools.

“The four superintendents selected as finalists this year represent the exceptional leadership and dedication that are driving progress in urban education across the nation,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart. “Through their commitment to excellence, they are creating opportunities for students to thrive while inspiring higher standards of achievement. We are grateful for their leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to students. Congratulations to each of this year’s finalists!”

The finalists were selected by a distinguished panel of current and former superintendents and school board members. The panel evaluated the candidates based on their work improving student achievement and narrowing achievement gaps, their demonstrated leadership and governance skills, and their efforts to boost the public’s confidence in their respective school districts.

Each finalist will receive a $2,500 college scholarship, sponsored by HMH, to present to a senior in a high school in their school district.

The Green-Garner Award is given annually in honor of Richard R. Green, the first African-American chancellor of the New York City school system, and businessman Edward Garner, who served on the Denver school board. This year’s award will be presented at the Excellence in Urban Education Awards Ceremony on the evening of Oct. 22 during the Council’s 70th Annual Fall Conference in Boston, hosted by Boston Public Schools.

The winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship, sponsored by Scholastic, to present to a graduating senior from their school system.

The Council of the Great City Schools is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 81 large city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate for inner-city students through legislation, research, and media relations.