Philly's 7th Ward

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Tag - college bound

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Nina Wallace Dishes on What It’s Like to Attend Howard and the Lack of Representation of Women of Color in STEM

May 18, 2019
by Sharif El-Mekki
4 min read
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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...

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Congratulations! You’re Off to College, But Read This First.

May 11, 2019
by Rodney White
5 min read
1 Comment

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...

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  • Accountability
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An Open Letter To the ACT Exam Proctors Who Attempted To Marginalize Black Students

August 8, 2018
by Sharif El-Mekki
6 min read
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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...

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  • Equity and Justice
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To Students, With Love: Congratulations To The Class of 2018!

June 22, 2018
by Sharif El-Mekki
4 min read
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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...

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  • Equity and Justice
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We Lift As We Climb Because We Are Responsible For Our Communities

October 25, 2017
by Sharif El-Mekki
3 min read
1 Comment

“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...

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  • Equity and Justice
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When We Send Our Black and Brown Students to College, What Happens?

September 25, 2017
by Sharif El-Mekki
3 min read
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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...

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We Tell Our Students They Must Graduate Twice

August 18, 2017
by Sharif El-Mekki
4 min read
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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...

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Six Years Ago, We Told Shoemaker’s Class of 2017: #NoBrokenPromises and We Kept Our Word

June 23, 2017
by Sharif El-Mekki
4 min read
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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...

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Black Degrees Matter

March 22, 2017
by Sharif El-Mekki
5 min read
3 Comments

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’...

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One Foot in His Mouth, the Other Foot Stomping on Black Students’ College Aspirations

February 26, 2017
by Sharif El-Mekki
6 min read
1 Comment

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...

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