Celebrating Black History Month: Leadership Rooted in Community

Now in his 25th year with MCPS, James Allrich, principal of Argyle Middle School, has built a career rooted in relationships, connection and growth.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Allrich is the child of immigrant parents from Haiti and one of seven siblings. Raised in a bilingual household speaking English and Haitian Creole, he learned early lessons about compromise, collaboration, communication and leadership, skills that would later define his approach as an educator and school leader.

“I began my career as a math teacher in New Jersey and later moved to Maryland for love,” Allrich said.

His career includes roles as a math teacher, math resource teacher, staff development teacher and assistant school administrator at Springbrook High School; assistant principal at White Oak Middle School and principal intern at Sherwood High School. He has served at Argyle for the past 11 years and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Bowie State University.

Allrich was drawn to school leadership by the growing impact of his work.

“It started with influencing students in one classroom, then expanded to a department and eventually to an entire school community,” Allrich said. “I witnessed students go from disliking school to loving it because they felt seen and supported. I saw staff move from feeling disconnected to feeling engaged because of strong relationships and shared purpose.”

That impact, he realized, was his calling.

One of Allrich’s earliest role models was his high school physical education teacher, Ms. Waller, who ran a Peer Leadership program that paired seniors with incoming freshmen. Participating first as a mentee and later as a peer leader showed him the power of mentorship and student leadership, an experience that continues to shape how he leads today.

“Because of her influence and others along my journey, I feel a strong responsibility to give back by mentoring others,” he said. “Since becoming a principal, I have had the privilege of mentoring several assistant principals and interns who have gone on to become principals in our district, which is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”

Beyond Aryle, Allrich serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Board of Directors for the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP), and he leads MCAAP’s Middle School Principals Professional Learning Community.

During the month of February, MCPS honors and recognizes Black History Month. For Allrich, this month is a time of reflection, not only on the past, but on the present. 

“I reflect on the contributions of people of African descent around the world who made it possible for leaders like me to serve in roles like this today,” he said, referencing figures such as Toussaint L’Ouverture and local leaders like the late Dr. Judy Docca, a former principal at Argyle and a former MCPS Board member. “They not only opened doors, but they also set expectations for how we show up as leaders and how we give back to our communities. Their legacy reminds me that leadership is not just about personal success, but about responsibility and service.”

That sense of responsibility has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Educational Administration and Supervision in 2022 and the 2023 Maryland Principal of the Year Award, and most recently the Excellence in Education Award during Urban Smart’s Illuminate Your Black Brilliance Awards celebration. The award was given in recognition of Allrich’s 2023 Maryland Principal of the Year honor, his dedication to education, work in restorative justice and role as an educational leader in the broader community.

For Allrich, the recognition underscores a simple truth.

“Leadership is collective and rooted in community,” he said. “These awards represent shared effort and shared impact. I strive to lead through relationships, connection and service, and I hope they remind students that leadership comes with responsibility—to those who came before us and those who will come after.”