Dear NewComm Community,
On my way home from work recently, I was deeply engrossed in a podcast that featured Gov. Wes Moore, whom I think of as my best friend in my head. In fact, every morning, I study his Youtube videos, keying in on the we way he leads, the way he talks to people, the way he leads with his heart. (I could go on and on here...) Anyway, in that podcast Wes recounted a poignant moment from his past where, while he was thriving as an investment banker, a close friend challenged him by saying, "What you are doing is great, but when will you join the fight?" That single, profound question hit me so deep I almost had to pull over my car. It led me to reflect introspectively: how is NewComm joining the fight? How can we enhance and refine our services to directly make a difference?
As I thought about our vision, I was filled with pride with what we are building, We want to transcend the traditional method of merely priming students for the professional world. Instead, we dream of a future where our students aren’t just employees, but architects of change, redefining culture within these professional spaces. After all, how we can break the cycle of poverty if we are not dramatically re-designing the professional "ivy towers" that profit from the exploitation of the poor.
I am incredibly proud of what we are doing with our FELLOWS program. For those who don't know, FELLOWS is a year-long paid academic internship that blends an intensive culturally responsive curriculum with hands-on community research, culminating in a $10,000 social impact project in collaboration with local businesses. The true heartbeat of FELLOWS, and our upcoming programs, lies in our innovative Literary Science framework. By emphasizing the significance of BIPOC literature, oral histories, and interdisciplinary knowledge, we offer tools that aren’t just practical but are aimed at advancing social justice. The stories of marginalized communities, which depict both the grim realities they face and the radical strategies employed to overcome, are powerful tools in challenging and reshaping suffocating societal norms. Integrating the study of these stories with real-world learning experiences ensures that our students are not just assimilating into professional realms but are redefining them.
Moreover, NewComm ardently advocates for fostering peer networks among underserved students across both public and independent schools. Recognizing that true economic democracy springs from a vast, resource-sharing network, we aim to build connections that matter. And with 15 years under my belt as an independent school educator, I've observed first-hand the challenges BIPOC students face in predominantly white institutions. Far from being the panacea some envision, these environments often force our students, especially Black girls, to navigate a minefield of microaggressions and pressures to conform to Eurocentric standards of success. We’re adamant in our belief: Success in NewComm's programs will never require anyone to shrink! What we are building is an exceptional BIPOC-led space from the ground up.
In joining the against poverty and economic inequality, we're not merely throwing a punch; we're hope to craft a strategy that renews culture And as Wes Moore's words continue to echo in my mind, I extend an invitation to you: Will you join us in this fight?
Warm regards,
Chidi
Founder and CEO, NewComm PROJECT