You aren’t always able to choose family, but even if I were able, I would have still chosen most of my cousins. My little cousin, Nina Wallace, represents a legacy of resistance, brilliance and activism. Her parents, like my...

Finding solutions for all Philadelphia students
You aren’t always able to choose family, but even if I were able, I would have still chosen most of my cousins. My little cousin, Nina Wallace, represents a legacy of resistance, brilliance and activism. Her parents, like my...
This reflective piece was written by a Mastery Charter – Shoemaker Campus alumnus, Rodney White. He attended a full time dual enrollment program at the Community College of Philadelphia during his senior year. Rodney had a...
Robert Parker, a veteran educator, calls out college exam proctors for attempting to marginalize some of his students. In this open letter, Robert confronts the proctors and challenges them to improve their mindsets about Black...
Mastery Charter School – Shoemaker Campus. The Class of 2018. Our 8th graduating class at our turnaround charter school. While Shoemaker used to be second most violent school in Philadelphia, and likely Pennsylvania, today...
“You all should be super proud! Your kids are out here doing amazing things,” Maye-gan. Read more about what this alumna is up to these days and what drives her decision making. In high school I was involved in...
As a principal, father, and community member, I know from experience that our youth continue to need support and advocacy once they go on to pursue their post-secondary goals. As excited as our community is to collaborate with...
An article in the 74 shares that students in some charter schools are attaining college degrees at three to five times the national rate. That is outstanding. The article reminded me of our community’s aspirations for our...
My beloved school community graduated its seventh senior class yesterday. Many of our students are my neighbors. Several of them are my grand-students (I taught their parents). A few of them are relatives. I feel accountable to...
Earlier this week, our Councilwoman, Jannie Blackwell, called for a public hearing on the low enrollment and graduation rates at colleges and universities for Black males in Philadelphia. David Hardy, founder of the Boys’...
Recently, John Eichelberger, a Pennsylvania lawmaker made remarks that were insensitive, devoid of intellectual curiosity and logic, and projected a biased and racist posture towards “urban kids.” Eichelberger is the chairman...