A school district that is predominately African American should have more schools named after prominent African American people. Former United States President Barack Obama is one of the more revered figures of our lifetime and will have a school named after him in Detroit.
Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology, a Detroit public charter school on the city’s east side, announced the school’s name has changed to the Barack Obama Leadership Academy commencing with the 2019-2020 academic year. Additionally, the school will expand its holistic kindergarten through eighth-grade curriculum to integrate the nationally-recognized ‘Leader in Me’ program.
“President Barack Obama epitomizes the personal values and leadership characteristics that we endeavor to instill in each of our students,” said Bernard Parker, CEO of Magnum Educational Services, the school’s management company. “With his innate ability to inspire people across our nation and around the globe, we are pleased to name our school in honor of President Obama.”
Recognizing the importance of a solid educational foundation, including academics, critical thinking skills, self-confidence, and the exploration of the arts, athletics and community service, the expanded curriculum is designed to equip students with the fundamental academics, expand their horizons, and develop their leadership capability to prepare them for life-long success.
The school hosted a fundraising breakfast at the Detroit Athletic Club to support the purchase of the Leader in Me materials, ongoing training and curriculum implementation and the school’s annual open house and enrollment event, with appearances by Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones,The Skillman Foundation President and CEO Tonya Allen, Judge Greg Mathis, and others. Mathis also made an appearance at the school’s annual Open House and Enrollment event. The event was free to the public and included food, live music, and family activities. Barack Obama Leadership Academy is currently enrolling kindergarten through eighth-grade students.
“We firmly believe every child has an inherent leadership ability that must be nurtured and developed during their formative educational years,” said Cha-Rhonda Edgerton, principal of the Barack Obama Leadership Academy. “The Leader in Me curriculum integration enables us to provide our students with the academic and much-needed life skills required to excel both inside and outside the classroom now and throughout their lives.”
The Barack Obama Leadership Academy is located at 10800 East Canfield near Detroit’s East Village neighborhood. Prior to being named Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology, it was named after late federal Judge Damon J. Keith who passed away earlier this year.
Obama Academy offers a unique, holistic, student-centered academic experience with a leadership development focus, small class sizes, free tuition, breakfast and lunch, and free transportation for eligible students. As a designated 21st Century Learning Center, free after school programs are also available.
The last time President Obama visited Detroit, he spoke at Cass Tech High School last October for a “Get Out The Vote” rally to endorse all of the Democratic candidates on Michigan’s General Election ballot.
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