The Say Yes to Education (Syracuse) celebrated a five-year anniversary yesterday with a program at John T. Roberts School. The event featured speeches by Say Yes Founder George Weiss, educators, politicians, and a few initial graduates. Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor cited the Say Yes program as a metaphor for Syracuse as a “city of opportunity.”
Current and former Syracuse City School Superintendents Sharon Contreras and Daniel Lowengard speak about the success of Say Yes.
Below is an inspiring speech by Amber Jackson, an inaugural Say Yes Scholar and 2013 graduate of Hobart William Smith Colleges.
“To change a community, you have to change the soil.” - Ron Finley
I’d like to thank the students I had the chance to meet and work with at Westside Academy at Blodgett this year. We took a journey and learned from each other. After the first day I thought a lot about the Tony Danza Book, I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had.
We did photo walks, technical research, contests and model shoots, and their skill levels continued to rise to the challenge. But soon I noticed that the children were teaching me as much about creativity and expression as I taught them about photography. Visiting the Westside neighborhood daily was an eye-opening experience. The assignment helped me become a better photographer and a better person.
Also, a special shout-out to Ms. Darby (the program director), Mr. Hicks (the principal), and Syracuse City School District alum Adrian Sicam (the multi-talented artist who allowed SIF to use his music for this piece).
Dr. Sheadric Barbra, Principal of Dr. King Elementary School in Syracuse, shares part of his personal journey during the Syracuse City School District and Say Yes to Education's Parent University on Saturday morning. His brother, education activist Dr. Zheadric Barbra is in the background. The event was held at the University United Methodist Church. The theme of the conference was "Getting Men Involved in Education."
Isaaq Miller of MPH responds to an audience question after arguing the negative of social media
Believe the Hype.
Future stars of debate met Thursday evening at Bethany Baptist Church for the Heightened Youth Perpetuating Excellence (H.Y.P.E.) Program. Students from area schools argued the pros and cons of social media with an emphasis upon areas subjects such as education and politics.
Christy Muok, debate team captain for the affirmative, makes a closing argument
The program was coordinated by media personality George Kilpatrick and the debate was moderated by Donna Satcher-Jackson.
Joshua Turnquest of SAS makes a final point during his speech
Amina Kilpatrick of MPH argues that coverage of politics using social media can lead to horserace reporting and negative targeting of candidates.
Shane Evans and Taye Diggs discuss their collaboration to create Chocolate Me.
Actor Taye Diggs along with fellow SU alum Shane Evans talked about their book Chocolate Me and did a reading at the Greater Evangelical COGIC last Sunday. The story, based on lessons Diggs mother gave him as a child, are a great antedote to low race esteem and self image.
In addition to the reading, Evans and Diggs did a musical performance (Evans on guitar, Diggs on beatbox) with crowd participation.
The event was sponsored by Say Yes to Education (Syracuse).
Taye Diggs gets some help during a song peformance with Shane Evans at the Greater Evangelical COGIC
Shane Evans answers questions about illustrating Chocolate Me
SCSD children listen to performance by Diggs and Evans
Mayor Stephanie Miner met with residents of the Eastside on Monday evening and discussed her goals to rethink city government and evaluate Syracuse’s aging infstructure. She also further advocated for the Say Yes (Education) program. This was the first of her several public meetings to be held throughout the city.
For too long the education system has fostered schools that are failing and according to Steve Perry, principal and education activist, failure is no longer an option.
“We can’t call a school a school if it doesn’t educate,” he says. “We have to create schools that are designed to be successful.”
Perry gave a lecture Saturday at Bethany Baptist Church that was sponsored by the Say Yes to Education program. He heads Hartford Prep (CT) and was featured on the CNN series Black in America 2 with Soledad O’Brien. Perry has also been interviewed often by New Inspiration for the Nation’s George Kilpatrick.
For Perry education is a calling, not just a profession. He drives several of his students to school each day and says 100% of the students at Capital Prep go on to college.
Perry says that he has no problem getting this across to his staff, and because you have a degree doesn’t mean you are a teacher. “I’ve fired some great people, they just weren’t good teachers,” he said.
Citing the McKinesey Report, Perry said that a child without an education will be a challenge for society. He said parents, teachers and entire community’s share responsibility for schools that don’t work.
“I love kids too much to care about grown people’s feelings.”
