I hope everyone is ready to head into a wonderful weekend and finds time to relax and rejuvenate. A group of folx who were touched by Dirk’s work and his impact on Oakland convened last Sunday afternoon to celebrate Dirk at his favorite neighborhood “watering hole,” Degrees Plato, located in the Laurel District. Jumoke Hinton-Hodge,…
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Part III: Re-Engagement and Renewal: Making Great School Voices Greater.
Six months ago today, on October 1, 2021, we lost Dirk tragically as he joined the one too many, who have succumbed to Oakland’s gun violence. While I was certainly overwhelmed at the prospect, I knew our work —Great School Voices, SOBEO, our nonprofit, and Dirk’s collective movement would continue. Just as SOBEO had done,…
Part II: Reflecting on the Man and Method behind the Madness: What is Great School Voices and What has been its Impact?
Today, March 31, is Dirk’s birthday. There’s no better moment than now, as a tribute to all he’s done for us, to share why he brought Great School Voices to life. Dirk created this blog to fill an unmet need, beginning with Oakland. That need and purpose are fourfold. They are to: Amplify the voices…
The Same, New Vision for Great School Voices: a Three Part Series.
Part I: Resetting and Re-correcting the Record on Public Schools vs. Charters PART I As with all tragedies, we as humans flow from different stages to overcome trauma and grief, and move forward to rejoin the community. We reset, reflect, re-engage, and renew. We, at Great School Voices, have spent the past few months in…
Turning the Light Back on, Brightly, this New Year
Three months ago today, we all lost our inimitable Dirk Tillotson, the creator of this platform. He has been a resource and light to everyone he encountered in Oakland, here in New York, and abroad. As the co-pilot of our nonprofit Great School Choices, the past three months have been some of the worst days…