Gordon parents stand up and stand out

Three recent examples of Gordon parents standing out in the crowd by standing up for their communities:

Eighth grade parent Angie Ankoma was honored by the national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with the prestigious RWJF Award for Health Equity. The honor went to nine projects nationally; Ankoma and Sharon Conard-Wells were honored for their work with the Sankofa Community Initiative of the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation. As the foundation explained, "'Sankofa' is a Ghanian word meaning 'return to one’s roots,' and through this program, Ankoma and Conard-Wells are tackling the root causes of health inequities through a unique urban agriculture project that integrates food production, economic development, and high-quality stable, affordable housing."

Fifth and second grade parent Jabulani McCalister had his essay, "Why the MLK holiday matters," printed as an opinion piece in Saturday's Providence Journal. As the president of the Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island, Rev. McCalister can make the case from a unique position; each year, the alliance runs an essay contest in which hundreds of Rhode Island youth are asked to reflect on King's legacy. The winners of the contest will be honored at the alliance's annual banquet January 21st - more here.

Melissa DuBose, parent of Wyatt Harrington '18 and Cameron Harrington '15, was named to Rhode Island’s District Court as part of a widely praised set of judicial appointments by Governor Raimondo. Many from the Class of 2015 will remember Judge DuBose volunteering to don a black robe to adjudicate the eighth grade mock trial.

 

Got another story to share? Email Geoff Griffin at ggriffin@gordonschool.org