The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
of
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School
2501 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19125
215-288-2001
www.sfacs.us
Sankofa Freedom
Academy Charter School
Leadership Team
Sankofa Freedom
Academy Charter School
Leadership Team
Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO
Bro. Isa Clark, COO
Baba Mwlimu Waset,
Principal
Mama Geraldine Newton, Business Manager
Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO
Bro. Elisha Tigah,
Technology Coordinator
Sis. Nieka Brown,
Middle School Coordinator
Bro. Isa Clark, COO
Baba Norman Bayard,
Upper School Dean
Mama Geraldine Newton,
Business Manager
Bro. Darrius Rowser
Middle School Dean
Bro. Maurice Patterson,
Lower School Dean
Dr. Kelli Sparrow Mickens,
Servant Leadership Coodinator
Bro. Elisha Tigah,
Technology Coordinator
Tameka Thomas
Transition Coordinator
Dione Pride,
Executive Administrator
Sis. Toni Winston,
Middle School Coordinator
Sis. Katina Mackey-Green,
Lower School Coordinator
Brother Mark Martinez,
Upper School Dean
Bro. Darrius Rowser
Middle School Dean
Bro. Maurice Patterson,
Lower School Dean
Sis. Nieka Brown,
Servant Leadership Coordinator
Sis. Tameka Thomas
Transition Coordinator
Sis. Dione Pride,
Executive Administrator
Transformation
Transformation
Volume 7/Issue 1
Volume 7/Issue 1
September, 2015
September, 2015
Peace,
Blessings,
and
Gratitude
fromLetter
Dr. Mama
Tank you
Dr. Mama!
And
Sankofa
Family:
of Gratitude
Birds flyin high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin on by, you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life for me (we)
And I’m feelin….good!
Sung by the High Preistess of Soul
……….Nina Simone
Well family, we did it! After so many years of moving, hoping, praying, and working toward
one unified campus, we opened our new building on Wednesday, September 9th, with our
entire k-12 family in one place. It’s been a long hard road, but every step we took brought
us closer to our destination. It is true that every journey begins with a step. That first step
we took was believing in one another enough to open a school based on the idea that our
children deserved a place where they would be safe and would be taught by people who
believed that each of them could make a difference in the world someday. Here we now
are, poised to continue the next phase of our journey. We are excited about the books
that our children will read in this space. We are excited about the transformations that will
occur in this community. We are excited about the social justice and service learning projects that will change outcomes locally and globally. We are excited about the libations that
will be spoken and poured in the new Harambee Hall. We are excited about the circles
that we will form to solve problems and to give one another encouragement. We are excited about the college acceptances that will be hung on these walls for all to see. We are
excited about the buses and vans that will
leave from this parking lot to take our children to Africa, the Caribbean, South America
and, perhaps, Europe. We are excited about
the parent meetings that will be filled with
adults who love our children and want to
ensure each of them is successful in their
own way on their own path. We are grateful. We are excited. We are beginning a
new phase at Sankofa. This phase will inevitably be filled with ups and downs, but will no
doubt culminate in victory. With your help,
we are convinced that our best days are yet
to come.. Thus, with you and your children
on this journey toward African excellence
with us, it is no wonder that we are so overjoyed. Like Nina Simone, when we consider
our new dawn, new day, and new life, we
can’t help but proclaim for all to hear, that
we are definitely, FEELIN GOOD! Thanks
for taking this journey with us. Enjoy your
new building!
INTRODUCING DAGARA
CLASS OF 2016
Cianni Allen
Nyzjah Allen
Terron Bacon
Rasheeda Bolter
Cassandra Boyd
Shamira Boyer
Naseem Brown
Romario Brown
Brandon Burnett
Damon Carr
Sahir Chambers
Dayonna Farmer
Abdul Foster
Miles Griffin
Egypt Henry
Curneerah Hunte
Falande Jean-Baptiste
Darrien Johnson
Jada Kelly
Ian Kemmerer
Essence Lawson
Davon Leatherberry
Ahnya Mack
Shakira Marks-Brown
Jah’brayah Mathis
Quadirah Mclean
Syferia Moultrie
Tao Niangane
Gabriella Padua
Destiny Perry
Taalib Prater
Taleia Prince-Forrest
Nairha Pugh-Bell
Ajeenah Ross
Karen Rowell
John Schoen Mccullough
Aigner Smith
Sadiq Stith
Jasmine Thomas
Earnestine Turner
Verland Wayns
Nykearah Williams
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
Page 3
Welcoming the Nation of Axum II
It is with great excitement and pride, that the Upper School welcomes the Nation of AXUM II. Although this nation is
new to the high school, most of the students are not new to Sankofa. In fact, many of the Axumites in this class came to
us as 3rd graders in the nation of Songhai, in 2009. Axum II completed their freshman orientation, which began on September 2nd, with their Rites of Separation ceremony and finished, after 3 days, at Camp Dark Waters. While at orientation, the servant leaders bonded through team building, high rope climbing, lesson planning, academic classes, a bonfire and
much more. Upon returning to school, they were well prepared to begin their high school journey, and are already off to
a great start!
Servant leadership at SFA
Page 4
Lower School News
I would like to introduce the scholars of K
-2, who have been working so hard. We
have been working really hard with sorting
attributes, as well as items that are alike
and different. We have been learning different ways to maintain order while following Heshima. We are so proud of the
things that we are learning and striving to
bring our good, better, best each and everyday.
Tre' Forrest is shopping at the Yoruba
Market. Scholars earn Maatic Yoruba
Bucks by demonstrating "Acts of Kindness", "Heshima", and Academic thinking. During their math period on Freedom Fridays, they get to count their
money, and the teacher gets to cheat
them. Scholars will eventually set up
and operate the store
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Reading Specialist
Volume 7/Issue 1
Page 5
Page 5
Volume 7/Issue 1
Music Appreciation
Facilitated by Sis. Tawana
The scholars of Dogon (5B) have been developing into masters of sound, through our studies in music appreciation. Our class, entitled
Bach, Beethoven, Basie, and Beyonce, has allowed our scholars to explore music from the Baroque Period, the Classical Period and the Romantic period. Our scholars have been examining the works of J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart and L.V. Beethoven. We’ve been exploring the
What
an amazing
start
to our new
year atwriting
our new
Sankofa
home!
The beautiful
thatprocess.
gracesWe’ve
our walls
connection
between music
composition
and narrative
to further
strengthen
our understanding
of theart
writing
also
adds
life,topower
to our
day.work
The
I Am
ArtWe
Life
tirelessly
tothrough
createourpowerful
just begun
exploreand
Jazz, inspiration
with an introduction
to the
of Miles
Davis.
areteam
having worked
a great time
as we travel
musical
past, trying
to discover
the connections
Classical
Jazz,
as wellKente
as R & B
andcolorful
Hip-Hop. patterns
Stay tuned, because
our scholars of
murals
that
represent
who we between
are. I Am
ArtMusic
Lifeand
says
“The
and
are a reflection
will
soon
be
trying
to
figure
out
the
relationship
between
music
and
mathematics.
our heritage and shows the complexity and visual rhythms of African culture.” Check out these murals loSis. Tawana
cated
in the Main entrance, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. Let us know what you think!
The Unknown Poets
Spoken Word
Facilitated by Sis. Zahre
“The Unknown Poets” is a collective of spoken word artists who are claiming their names and putting their craft out into the atmosphere. They are organized by Sis Zahre ,also known as spoken word artist ZahRe Belle. Please give them two snaps and a head nod as
we introduce this spoken word collective, “the Unknown Poets.”
My Sister
by Wisdom JahasiaShabazz
She’s been played and played from time to time.
I can see it in her face.
I can read her mind.
Pain in her heart, tears in her eyes
Sometimes I start to cry.
She’s not your baby’s mama.
She’s the mother of your child.
I see her face is red
You make her wanna rip the roots out of her
head.
Tears in her eyes from all the times she cries.
I know all the pain inside.
Truth
ByTyjade Johnson
Help me.
I can’t do this on my own.
Help me. I’m alone in the dark.
Help me.
I need to see.
Help me come back to me.
Help me.
I need to see the light.
Help me, help me.
Help me please.
A Beautiful Flower Inside
By Iyana Whiten
A beautiful flower inside
Inside I feel lightful, inside I feel unique.
Inside I feel worthless.
I feel like a beautiful flower inside.
I am smart.
I am kind.
I am beautiful.
I feel like a beautiful flower inside.
When people hate me
I care for them.
No one can say I am ugly or unique.
I feel like a beautiful flower inside.
Feel what you feel, like a beautiful flower inside.
Mirror On The Wall, Who is the Prettiest of Them All?
Believe In Faith (Dream It, Find It)
By Passion AlexandreaMontilus
When your hands are tied and you feel blindfolded,
And you can’t see your way,
You still believe
because you know you will achieve.
You don’t give up, you get up, because
You know your needs will be met
This you can not forget.
You get exactly what you expect
So expect the best and pass the test.
You will find that with faith
You will not be left behind.
Replace your fears, doubts and complaints
With Faith and study
You’ll remove all restraints.
This is what it takes
Make no excuses-just DO IT!
By Zayda Flanagan
Wisdom, Creativity
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who is the prettiest of them all?
Me, of course.
Why do you say that?
You are dishonest
And you know I hate that.
I’m only pretty because I got straight hair
Blue eyes, and light skin.
But what if I took all that away?
And what if I change my skin to the color of dark mine coals
And what if I change my straight hair to curly dark brown
Wearing my Afro beautiful and brown
So now what?
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who is the prettiest of the all.
Not You!
That’s okay
‘cause I love myself the way I am.
Page 6
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
Meet the Facilitators of the Mighty Middle School
Peace and Blessings to the fantastic scholars, parents, family and friends of the Mighty Middle School. I am so excited to begin another year
of teaching, learning and growing with you. There have been a few changes at Sankofa since last year. First was the acquiring of our new
home, with enough space to house the entire K-12 student body of Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School. Second, while we, the
Mighty Middle, have lost some great facilitators, we have been joined in this scared work by another group of awesome facilitators who are
really on their purpose (check out the bios below). Returning facilitators include the fabulous Mama Nikki, who teaches 5 th grade writing,
the remarkable Baba Reggie who teach 7th-8th mathematics, the amazing Bro. Brian who teaches 6th-7th mathematics, myself, Sis. Toni (I
teach 5th grade literacy), the extraordinary Sis. Tawana, who is the 8th grade special education facilitator and the amazing dynamic duo,
Mama Nikki and Bro. Greg, who teach cultural arts and music. Last but not least is the magnificent Bro. Darius, the keeper of Ma’at.. We,
the facilitators of the Mighty Middle, have been preparing ourselves all summer to be ready to engage our scholars and their families in
teaching and learning towards liberation. We are so honored that you chose to entrust your scholars to us. We look forward to a fantastic, terrific, great year.
Blessings,
Sis. Toni
Middle School Coordinator
Sis. Hazel Cespedes
My Name is Hazel Cespedes, and I’m excited to join Sankofa as their elementary special education facilitator/teacher. I’m from Philadelphia and have been teaching in bilingual schools for the past six years. I graduated from Penn State University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and worked as a social worker/
interpreter for the City of Philadelphia Health Center Clinics for about 6 years. It was then that I decided
to go back to school and get my teaching certificate, while I began teaching in an inclusive classroom in a
dual language school. While working, I completed my Early Childhood Education and Spanish K-12 certifications, and decided to obtain my Master’s Degree. I graduated from Arcadia University with my Master’s
Degree in Education/Special Education certification K-12. This will be my fourth year teaching special education. I look forward to working with my Sankofa family and being able to continue my passion for teaching.
I’m a huge risk taker and have an adventurous soul who loves, loves, loves to travel. Did I mention that I
love to travel? I have been fortunate enough to enjoy one of my passions in life and travel the world. I also
love to shop, dance and photography. However, my most important job, and title, has been being a mother
to my “not so baby anymore”19 year old son.
Bro. Ibin Ingram
Hello! My name is Ibin Ingram, and I’m thrilled to say this is my 11 th year teaching middle school
social studies. I grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in
History Education and Bachelor of Science in Black Studies from Lincoln University in 2005. I continued my studies at Gwynedd Mercy College and received a Master’s in Education Administration
in 2011. I began my teaching career at Mathematics Civics and Science Charter School. I taught
there for ten years. This year I’ll be teaching middle school Social Studies at Sankofa Freedom
Academy Charter School! Currently, I live in Philadelphia with my wife and children. I love history
and enjoy reading, sports, movies, and spending time with my family. I look forward to working
with all of my new Sankofa family. Peace
Sister Amanda Henderson
My name is Amanda Henderson, and I am very excited to join the Sankofa
Freedom Academy Charter School family as an Emotional Support Classroom
Assistant. I attended the Creative and Performing Arts High School in Philadelphia and continued onto Clark Atlanta University and Thomas Edison State
Collage to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities. I am currently
working on completing my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at
Lincoln University. I am also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I have many years of experience working with both general education
and special needs scholars in educational and child care settings. I have a
passion for teaching children and I
believe in supporting them throughout their scholastic journey. In
my spare time, I enjoy singing, writing, poetry, food, traveling, and
spending time with family. I am looking forward to working with
everyone and having a great school year.
Volume 7/Issue 1
Page 7
Meet the Mighty Middle School Facilitators—Cont’d
Bro. Ramon Aponte
My name is Ramon Aponte, and I am the new 5th grade social studies/science teacher. I have been involved
in education for over 14 years, in a variety of roles. I have a passion for science that drives me to want to
share that same love and appreciation for all of the sciences. I don't feel that science has been the focus in
the last 20 years and I want to be the one that changes that in the eyes of our students. I joined Sankofa
because I also appreciate teaching from a pan African and world culture perspective. Culture is a huge part
of our lives and the lives of our students that goes largely unexplored. I am a world traveler, with a profound love of music in all forms. I hope to bring my passion to Sankofa. I look forward to working with you
all.
Mama Debra Henderson
I am Debra Henderson, and am very fortunate to be teaching fifth grade mathematics, science, and social studies at Sankofa Freedom Academy this year. I graduated from La Salle
University in 1977, earning a B.A. in American History. I received my teaching credential
from Chestnut Hill College in 2004. I strive in my teaching practice to inspire and challenge
children to love learning by presenting to them the fundamental interconnectiveness of all
the disciplines in the beginning of the school year. Throughout the year, we seek to find
how and why this concept is true. I am also an advocate of teaching children about metacognition and how they themselves can be more in touch with how they learn. It gives
children more power as learners as well as teachers. After all, isn't the world interdisciplinary? I am a doting grandmother of a five month old baby boy, and I have many interests.
Sis. Fuschia Ray
My name is Fuschia Ray. I am a New York transplant, who is very excited to
start exploring a new city! I enjoy thinking about going to the gym, sometimes attending, and Paleo baking! I recently graduated from New York University, where I majored in History with a focus in Africana Studies. My goal
as an educator is to direct the classroom to work as an agent for social
change. My identity as a black woman, coupled with my education in history,
has made me conscious of the narratives that inform the way students understand their world and their place in it. I am thus very driven to provide
students with an education that validates their potential and prepares them
for success within and beyond the classroom. In doing so, I hope to empower my students to become leaders capable of making a positive impact in
their communities and the world.
Sister Eudanah Beard
I am Sister Eudanah Beard. I am the new 7th and 8th grade English/Language Arts teacher. I completed both
my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Eastern University. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in English in
secondary education in 2001 and my Master’s Degree in multicultural education in 2003. Recently, I completed courses in administration at Cabrini Collegte. I am working toward my certification. I began teaching
in the School District of Philadelphia in 2004, at University City High School. This is where I realized that
teaching is not just a skill, but a calling. In 2006, I changed venues and began teaching 7th and 8th grade English, at Mathematics, Civic, and Sciences Charter School. I taught there for nine years. I had fun building selfesteem, encouraging sad hearts, and raising scores. I have a daughter who keeps me busy with all of her extra-curricular activities. I truly hove what I do. I am so excited to be a part of the new team: Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School.
Sister Lakeisha Mackey-Dean
Lakeisha Mackey-Dean’s training includes attending the Creative and Performing Arts High School, Freedom
Theater, Philadanco, Bodies in Motion and the Young Performers Theater’s Camp. She received her Bachelor’s
Degree from Slippery Rock University in 2009. During her time at SRU, she performed and choreographed in
various university dance theater productions, was the captain of the Slippery Rock Dance Team Express and Student Director of the Rock Dance Company. During this time, she was able to work with John Daygar from the
Lar Lubuvitch Dance Company, performing the historical
work, “Marimba” at the Sharing Legacy Conference in
New York City and Camille A. Brown , performing her
work, "Shelter of Presence” at the American College
Dance Festival. We are happy to welcome Sister Lakeisha
Mackey-Dean to the Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter
School family.
Page 8
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
WELCOME TO THE READING CORNER!
It is back to school time and it is time that we re-focus our attention on reading!
The beginning of the school year is a wonderful time to introduce or re-visit strategies that can be used at home to support
your scholars when reading both fiction and informational text (non-fiction). When scholars of any age bring home books,
articles, or passages, you can easily see if they understood what they have read by asking some simple questions. Below find
some inquiries that you can ask to ensure that scholars are not just “word calling”, but are truly comprehending. READ ON!
If they are reading a Fiction book ask them….
 Who are the main characters and what traits can
you infer about them?
If they are reading a Non-Fiction book ask
them….
 What do you think you will learn from this book?

How have the characters changed during the book?

What do you already know about this topic?

What questions do you have as you are reading?

What questions do you have as you are reading?

Is the story written in first or third person point of
view?
What is the author’s purpose? Persuade, Inform or
Entertain?

What is the main idea of the text?

What is the author’s purpose? Persuade, Inform or
Entertain?

What is the problem in the story? How do you think
it will be solved?

What text features were used in this text? How did
they help your understanding?

What do you predict will happen next?

What did you learn from this text?

Could the story happen in real life?

Do you have any questions after reading this?

How are you similar to the characters? How are you
different?

Were there any unknown words in this text? How
did you find out their meaning?

What is the theme of the book? What lesson did the
characters learn?

Where could you find more information on this
topic?

Write a summary of the story using Somebody,
Wanted, But, So, Then…

Write a summary of this text- remember to include
the main idea and supporting details.

What was your favorite part and why?

Did you like the ending? If not, how would you
change it? Write your own ending.

Questions courtesy of Courtney Alkek
Submission by: Sis. Katina Mackey-Green, Lower School Coordinator/Reading Specialist
Questions courtesy of Courtney Alkek
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
Page 15
Page 9
Parents’ Corner
Parents’
Corner
Happy New
Year !
Page 9
The Sankofa Bird Newsletter
of
Volume 7/Issue 1
The lower school parents’ meeting on
The
Wazuri
Word
November 12
was
a success!
We enjoyed
Greetings
Family,
a very
informative
financial presentation
by Sis. Aisha Blackshear, and Sis. Katherine Chappelle informed us about some
I amresources
delighted
to welcome
you back to a new school year in our brand new building. With our own
helpful
available
at The Free
Library
of
Philadelphia.
Baba
Ras
Angola
building and all of our students in one location, this is a great opportunity to come together as a unit on
was also available to address questions
behalf
our children.
There are many needs and creative initiatives that our parents can come together
about
our Special
Ed. Program.
to support. However, before we can begin, we must first understand that “None of Us is as Good as
Parents and students enjoyed a pizza
All ofandUs”.
Withparents
this in
mind,
dinner,
four lucky
went
homeI encourage each of you to strongly consider how you can contribute to
with Shop Rite gift cards. The Wazuri
the growth of Sankofa.
officer elections will be rescheduled for a
future meeting. Please check the school
announcements, and the Sankofa Parents
The Wazuri can use your assistance in organizing fundraising initiatives, identifying parent support needs
Facebook page for updates.
and advocacy that challenges and supports Sankofa in its growth and expansion, to ensure our children
We would love for more of our parents to
receive
theofbest
education
possible.
take
advantage
everything
that is offered at the monthly Meetings. Mark your
calendar for the Kwanzaa Extravangazaa,
There
will place
be elections
for the Wazuri and there are leadership and support opportunities
which
will take
on Wednesday,
December
2013, at
the high
Sankofa
Anlower, 18,
middle,
and
school.
Help us make 2015-2016 an outstanding year!
nex. You don't want to miss this event!
for the
All the best,
Sean O. Stallings
Wazuri President
Remember us When you Shop at Target & Clip Those Box Tops
Sankofa Freedom Academy
Charter School is enrolled
Resources
in Target's Take Charge
of
Education program! Our
school can benefit from all
of your Target purchases:
Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end
of 2015. Talk about extra credit! Use the Credit or Debit
REDcard, and Target will donate 1% of your Credit or Debit
REDcard purchases made at Target and Target.com to help
Sankofa Freedom Academy CS (School ID 153933).
Remember, Sankofa's TCOE School ID is 153933.
Visit Target.com/TCOE to enroll or to switch your
school to Sankofa Freedom Academy CS.
Please collect Box Tops over the summer! These symbols
can be found on many of the products you use every day.
Clip the Box Tops and send them to school with your child
in September. Our school will receive 10¢ for each Box Top
your scholar turns in.
Building Intergenerational Communities of Scholarship, Culture, and Activism
BUSIN NAME
Upcoming Events - October 2015
October 3 - Grand Opening -10:00 a.m -12:00 noon
October 21 - Early Dismissal –1:00 p.m.
October 12 - Scool Closed - Indigenous People Day
October 23 - School Closed/Staff Development
Sankofa Freedom Academy Board of Trustees Meetings 2015—2016
Board Meetings are held every third Monday at 6:00 pm. Meeting dates are as follows:
Sankofa Freedom Academy
Charter School
2501 Kensington Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa. 19125
Phone: 215-288-2001
Fax: 215-288-2099
We’re on the web:
www.sfacs.us
“We who believe in freedom shall not
rest until it
comes!”
….Ella Baker
October 19, 2015
November 16, 2015
December 21, 2015
January 25, 2016
February 17, 2016
March 21, 2016
April 18, 2016
May 16, 2016
June 20, 2016
July 18, 2016
August 15. 2016
Ashe’ - Spotlight on Julian Bond
Horace Julian Bond was a scholar, poet, former legislator, and
activist in the American Civil Rights Movement. Julian Bond, as he
came to be known, was born on January 14, 1940, in Nashville, Tennessee to Julia Washington Bond and Horace Mann Bond, an educator
who served as the first African American president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, and as dean of the School of Education at Atlanta
University in Georgia. Bond was married twice, first to Alice Copland
(1961), and then to Pamela Horowitz (1990). He had five children.
In 1957 Bond enrolled at Morehouse College where he earned
a varsity letter on the swim team and founded The Pegasus literary
magazine. In Atlanta, Bond embarked upon a lifelong career of social and political activism. He helped found the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights, an Atlanta University
Center student group that engaged in three years of protests against Atlanta’s segregated movie theaters, lunch counters, and parks. In 1960 he joined several hundred students from across the South to form the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee
(SNCC) at Shaw University. A grassroots organization, SNCC was one of the leading advocates of Black equality during the Civil Rights movement through protests and voter
registration campaigns. Within one year of its founding, Bond became SNCC’s Communications Director, leading its publications and publicity departments. In 1961 Bond left
Morehouse one semester short of graduation to join the staff of a new protest paper, The
Atlanta Inquirer. He would return one decade later to complete a degree in English.
Bond’s activism in Georgia politics grew out of SNCC’s organizing efforts in Atlanta. In 1965, Bond was first elected to a one-year term in the Georgia House of Representatives on a platform that included a two-dollar minimum wage, improved urban renewal programs, and an end of literacy tests for voters. However, the Georgia state representatives voted 184-12 not to seat him after he publicly endorsed the SNCC's statement of opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. In Bond v. Floyd (385 U.S.
116), the Supreme Court ruled that the Georgia House of Representatives was required
to seat him. Ultimately, Bond served four terms in the Georgia House and six terms in
the Senate. In 1968 he became the first African American nominated for Vice-President
by a major political party at the Democratic National Convention, which he attended as
co-chairman of the Georgia Loyal National Delegation. Despite his nomination, Bond
withdrew as he was, by law, too young to serve.
In addition to his legislative career, Bond also helped found the Southern Poverty Law Center, a public interest law firm located in Montgomery, Alabama. He served
as SPLC’s president from 1971 to 1979, and later as board member and President Emeritus. He was the president of the Atlanta branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1978 to 1989. Similarly, Bond served four terms on
the NAACP’s national board as well as Board Chairman since 1998.
As an educator, Bond taught at many institutions, and held positions at American
University and the University of Virginia. He authored numerous publications including
Black Candidates—Southern Campaign Experiences and A Time to Speak, A Time to
Act. His poems and essays have appeared in a variety of journals and newspapers. Bond
also narrated a number of documentaries and hosted America’s Black Forum, the oldest
Black owned television show in syndication. As an educator, writer, activist, and politician, Julian Bond had been at the forefront of social change in America.
Horace Julian Bond died on August 15, 2015 at his home in Fort Walton Beach,
Florida after a brief illness. He was 75.
"Bond, Horace Julian (1940-2015) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed." Bond, Horace Julian (1940-2015) | The Black Past:
Remembered and Reclaimed. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.
“Working to Restore Excellence in Scholarship, Culture, and Community”
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School Board of Trustees
Steve Blackburn, Member
Kimberly Washington, Member
Joseph Foster, Member
Sean Stallings, Parent Representative
Diane Holliday, Staff Representative
Toni Winston, Staff Representative
“One Heart, One Love, One Earth, One People”
Harambee!!
“Working to Restore Excellence in Scholarship, Culture, and Community”
Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School Board of Trustees
Steve Blackburn, Member
Kimberly Washington, Member
Joseph Foster, Member
Diane Holliday, Member
Barry Thomas, Member
Sean Stallings, Parent Representative
Toni Winston, Staff Representative
“One Heart, One Love, One Earth, One People”
Harambee!!