Education

Principal forbids first black valedictorian from giving speech so the mayor steps in

A Rochester, NY prep school’s first black valedictorian was forbidden to recite his speech during the ceremony allegedly due to “run-ins” with his principal.

Published

6 years ago

July 4, 2018

Unheard Voices Staff

Jaisaan Lovett

Jaisaan Lovett, a Rochester, NY prep school’s first black valedictorian, was forbidden to recite his speech during the ceremony allegedly due to several “run-ins” with his principal.

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About Jaisaan Lovett and his success

Lovett graduated from University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men as the valedictorian last month, with a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University.

As being the first black valedictorian notably, Lovett had some things to say in his speech.

School allegedly refuses him to speak at graduation

But a rocky relationship with UPrep Principal Joseph Munno saw him banned from giving a speech at the graduation ceremony, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.

When the school refused Lovett to speak, Rochester’s Mayor stepped in and broadcast his graduation speech on the city’s official YouTube channel.

Jaisaan Lovett’s speech

In his speech, Lovett thanked his family and friends, and other community members that helped him land a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University. But for the school’s principal, Joseph Munno, though, Lovett had a different message:

“To Mr. Munno, my principal, there’s a whole lot of things I’ve wanted to say to you for a long time. … I’m here as the UPrep 2018 valedictorian to tell you that you couldn’t break me. I’m still here, and I’m still here strong.”

“And after all these years, all this anger I’ve had toward you and UPrep as a whole, I realized I had to let that go in order to better myself. And I forgive you for everything I held against you.”

Warren, who put the speech on the official mayor’s office YouTube channel, appears in the video to admonish the prep school administration for not letting Lovett give his histroric speech.

“Unfortunately, Jaisaan’s school did not allow him to give his valedictorian speech,” Warren said in the video.

“For some reason, his school—in a country where freedom of speech is a constitution right, and the city of Frederick Douglass—turned his moment of triumph into a time of sorrow and pain.”

“Jaisaan will never graduate from high school again,” she added. “He will never get that moment back. This is not the time to punish a child because you may not like what he has to say.”

Lovett said he spoke up about things that were erroneous at the school and led a five-day student strike when the administration refused to order much-needed lab safety equipment.

Lovett said he and the principal of the all-male school, Munno, had several run-ins similar to the protest in his six years between 7th and 12th grades.

“There’s a lot of wrong things that go on at that school, and when I notice it I speak out against it,” Lovett told the Democrat & Chronicle. “[Munno] is a guy that doesn’t like to be told ‘no.'”

Statement from UPrep

Munno did not issue any public statement on the matter. The University Preparatory Charter School board of trustees told the Democrat & Chronicle they were aware of the situation.

“The Board will be reviewing the circumstances regarding what happened and looking into the related guidelines and school policies,” the charter school’s statement read.

“For confidentiality reasons, the school isn’t able to speak about the specifics of this situation. UPrep wishes Jaision [sic] Lovett, the first black Valedictorian in the school’s four year graduation history, much success as he continues his education at Clark Atlanta University.”

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Culture

“Philly in Paris” Collective needs your help to send Philly youth to Paris

Philly in Paris: Youth Travel Abroad” was formed and created as a hands-on and innovative solution to the violence epidemic that Philly youth face.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Philly in Paris is seeking the public’s support in sending some Philadelphia youth to Paris.

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About Philly in Paris

The collective supports youth with violent prevention and conflict resolution through travel.

Organizers are looking to give the youth cultural experiences that include history tours, museums, and leadership development activities.

“Philly in Paris: Youth Travel Abroad” was formed and created as a hands-on and innovative solution to the violence epidemic that Philly youth face.

Led by various organizations and individuals, the collective’s goal is to take Philly’s youth on global excursions, beginning with Paris, to increase their exposure to the world and the world’s exposure to them.

GoFundMe

“We believe that in helping young people to explore diverse perspectives through travel, we can contribute to peacebuilding in Philadelphia”, the GoFundMe reads.

The GoFundMe outlines expenses such as airfare, lodging, and ground transportation.

To learn more about the initiative and to donate, visit the GoFundMe.

Education

The College Gurl Foundation inspires underserved minorities to pursue higher education opportunities

The College Gurl Foundation inspires underserved minorities to pursue higher education opportunities.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 18, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

The College Gurl Foundation College tour

GoFundMe

The College Gurl Foundation (CGF) was founded by Jessica Brown in 2017 to support underserved minority students within Washington, DC by providing them their first experience with college, educational programs, scholarships, recreational programs, and mentorship opportunities that create life-changing experiences.

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About The College Gurl Foundation (CGF) and college tour

Since 2017, CGF has partnered with AT&T, Dark & Lovely, DC DOES Office of Youth Program, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. As a result of the impactful work, CGF has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships, has a 100% graduation rate from high school, 90% enrollment in college, and 10% of our students have secured professional careers.

GoFundMe

The College Gurl Foundation (CGF) is raising funds for the annual college tour.

“The goal of this tour is to inspire underserved minority DMV students to pursue higher education opportunities as many of our students are the first in their families to consider college,” the GoFundMe reads.

This year, the organization aims to provide 26 students the opportunity to attend the 6 institution visit tour in the Southeast region, giving them a real-world experience of campus life and the possibilities that higher education can offer.

“We are hoping to raise $50,000 to cover for travel, lodging, activities, and food accommodations. Our students are from underserved areas within the Washington Metropolitan area. Hence, without CGF they will not have the opportunity to experience this.”

For this initiative, CGF has started a GoFundMe. If you wish to support this worthy cause, please visit the fundraiser here.

Education

Texas educator blinded following student incident, GoFundMe started

Texas educator Candra Rogers was seriously injured by a student during a classroom altercation, making her lose her right eye. A GoFundMe has been started to help with recovery expenses.

Published

2 months ago

September 11, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Candra Rogers (Photo Source: GoFundMe)

On August 15, Texas educator Candra Rogers was seriously injured by a student during a classroom altercation, making her lose sight in her right eye. A GoFundMe has been started to help with recovery expenses.

“This is an arduous situation and will take time. Please continue to pray for me, my family, my school, and my district, even the child who caused this incident and his family,” the fundraiser reads.

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TX Educator Loses Sight in Right Eye

Rogers, an assistant principal at at Collins Intermediate School, was responding to a call for assistance from a behavioral teacher when she found one student who had reportedly been assaulted by a classmate outside the classroom with the teacher and other students.

Upon entering the classroom, Rogers encountered an “irate” student in a “ransacked” room. Despite her attempts to de-escalate the situation, the student threw multiple chairs and ultimately a wooden hanger. The hanger struck Rogers in the right eye and knocked it out of its socket, causing Rogers to be airlifted to a Dallas hospital for emergency surgery. School officials released the student into the custody of his parents and have prohibited him from returning to campus.

“I grabbed my face while blood was pouring out of my head and stumbled out of the classroom door,” Rogers recounted in a press conference. Doctors were able to reinsert her eye, but they believe the damage is permanent, and Rogers may ultimately lose the eye entirely.

“I will have to have an additional surgery to repair my eyelid, and because doctors are believing my blindness to be permanent, removing my eye may have to be an option,” Rogers said. “I still believe in God for a miracle for restoration of my sight.”

Rogers has been surrounded by her loving husband and children as they help her during this difficult, trying recovery process.

To donate towards Rogers recovery, visit the GoFundMe page here.