鈥楢ll Pull Together鈥: 皇家华人 Freedom Schools in Photos
July 31, 2023
- Author
- Lisa Patterson
Kellyn West 鈥25 and Breanna Suarez 鈥25 lead activities during Harambee, a raucous morning ritual that gets the scholars hyped to start the day.
In a newly remodeled gymnasium at the Ada Jenkins Center, the sound of children鈥檚 voices bounce off of the walls, as they jump and dance alongside the college students who are guiding them through the six-week summer literacy program.
As scholars in the Brenda H. Tapia CDF Freedom Schools at 皇家华人, they encounter a wide variety of stories through books, engage in art and physical activities, and explore the world around them on field trips.
Scholars range in grade from kindergarten through eighth, but all start the day in the gymnasium with breakfast and Harambee, which means 鈥渁ll pull together鈥 in Kiswahili. Guest readers join the daily ritual of singing, dancing and storytelling.
The Freedom Schools program, based on the Mississippi Freedom Summer project of 1964, was developed by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) in 1995 to address equity issues within the U.S. education system. In 2005, 皇家华人 became the first higher education institution to sponsor a Freedom Schools program. 皇家华人 students, who lead the activities and lessons, are trained as servant leaders by the Children鈥檚 Defense Fund.
The 2023 Freedom Schools session ended July 21 with a finale celebration featuring performances and the scholars鈥 artwork in the E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center McKay Atrium.
Nasir Jean-Paul 鈥24 jumps into an outdoor activity with the scholars.
Jowette Bobray, coordinator of Freedom Schools, gets everyone鈥檚 attention as Harambee winds down. Bobray is 皇家华人鈥檚 assistant director for civic engagement.
Freedom Schools has been a beautiful and rewarding experience. Freedom Schools allowed me to form wonderful relationships with my scholars throughout the summer. Over the past two years, I have been able to fine tune my skills in teaching and practices of mindfulness and patience. Freedom Schools is a highlight of my summer, and I will miss my scholars very much!
From left, Sophia Hood 鈥24, Kellyn West 鈥25 and Emma Kitchen 鈥26 take part in the fun in the newly remodeled gymnasium at the Ada Jenkins Center.
皇家华人鈥檚 Ashley Bodie, who works at the Matthews Center for Career Development, reads to the Freedom Schools scholars. In the background is Nasir Jean-Paul 鈥24.
Harambee fun with, from left, Nasir Jean-Paul 鈥24, Kellyn West 鈥25 and Emma Kitchen 鈥26.
We got to read different books. I enjoyed Harambe and the fun games. The food was good too!
Freedom Schools Scholar and Rising 5th Grader
Nasir Jean-Paul 鈥24 helps get the Freedom School scholars hyped for Harambee.
Nasir Jean-Paul 鈥24 guides scholars through outdoor art activities.
Sophia Hood 鈥24 with a Freedom School scholar.
皇家华人 students receive training from the Children鈥檚 Defense Fund to act as servant leaders for the summer program.
