John D. Hollis, Woodberry Forest School ’85
March 25th, 2010John Hollis, a former sportswriter-turned-author, often reminisces about his days as one of the few faces of color while attending prep school. In his recently released first novel, “Life in the Paint: The Story of a Black Man Fighting for His Identity”, Hollis chronicles the many challenges he faced – both expected and unexpected – from both the black and white communities as he came of age while vacillating between the two worlds.
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Johara Tucker, Peddie School class of 2000
March 11th, 2010Brooklyn native Johara Tucker never thought she’d fit in at a prep school. Once she got there her perspective was changed forever. Today, Johara has returned to prep school as a staff member at Pomfret School’s community service department, continuing the act of service and giving she learned as a student.
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Kimberly R. Drew, St. George’s School class of 2008
February 25th, 2010“You cannot be going to AP classes, AP English and be like, ‘Yo, What up?’”
That’s Kimberly Drew in a scene from The Prep School Negro, describing the social do’s and don’ts she quickly had to learn when her dream came true – to attend an elite private high school. Kimberly, now in her second year at Smith College, shares with us what happened when her dream became reality.
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Dr. Kia Lilly Caldwell, Germantown Friends School class of ‘88
February 18th, 2010Along with André Robert Lee, Kia Lilly was one of the few minority students at Germantown Friends School. She embraced the opportunity and gained new appreciation for different cultures and ways of thinking. Today, a professor at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Lilly Caldwell passes on the lessons of history and experience she learned to the next generation.
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Oman Frame, educator The Paideia School
February 11th, 2010Oman Frame is a loving husband, proud father, and dedicated educator for the past ten years. He pursued a career in education because he firmly believes that through the passion and creativity he brings to the classroom, he can change the world one child at a time.
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Martha Southgate, author – Hawken School class of ‘78
February 4th, 2010Social change often happens at the hands of the people affected by the problem. Martha Southgate’s experience at Hawken School in Ohio inspired a novel about it. The Fall of Rome tells the story of students having to face opposing worlds and the pros and cons of privilege.
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Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts – Milton Academy class of ‘74
January 26th, 2010In 2006 Deval Laurdine Patrick became the first African-American to be elected governor in Massachusetts. And what do you know? He is a graduate of the independent school system. His way out of the Chicago projects where he was born and raised came at the age of 14 when he was awarded a scholarship from A Better Chance to attend Milton Academy in Massachusetts.
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Dr. Tiffany Russell – Blair Academy class of ’91
January 14th, 2010Dr. Tiffany Russell is an Educational Consultant specializing in curriculum, program and strategic development with a focus on African-centered and multicultural issues. She has worked with many private schools, just like the one she attended. Dr. Russell is currently a contributor on the curriculum guide for The Prep School Negro.
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Rolando J. Vargas, Performing Artist
January 7th, 2010Rolando J. Vargas (Ro Lo) came to the United States in 1991 from Colombia. He sought to become one of the first in his family to receive accredited high school and college degrees. Ro Lo attended Nativity Mission School in New York City and received a full scholarship to South Kent School (SKS) in Connecticut. With the support from his family and his hunger for the “American Dream,” Ro Lo graduated from SKS and went on to receive two college degrees . Dream come true.
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Malikha Mallette, co-host The Ed Lover Show on NY’s Power 105.1 (WWPR-FM)
December 17th, 2009Malikha Mallette, new talent to morning radio, may not be waking people up over the airwaves today if she didn’t attend The Dalton School, an elite independent school in New York. It’s the question that we all face. Where would we be if… we didn’t answer that call?
Malikha is moderating a panel discussion with Andre Lee at The Studio Museum in Harlem tonight, Thursday December 17, 2009.
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