YPP Chicago - Cleeta Ryals (1959 - 2005) former Director of the Chicago Algebra Project (CAP) worked tirelessly to bring YPP to Chicago. Several trainings took place over the course of three Summers. During this time Cleeta introduced Omo to BJ Walker, (CAP Board Member) who helped to form a partnership with Bank One and After School Matters to bring YPP to Chicago. Chris Adagbonyin, Deon Allen, Marquise Lowe, Hector Acevedo, Ariel Fleming, Demetrica Gorden, Mariama Gibbs, Deniel, Jessie Sims and Sylvester Davis (YPP Jackson and Cambridge students) were among those who facilitated the trainings in Chicago. Lori Zaimi, a Chicago Public Schools math teacher, helped to facilitate the last training. Lori became instrumental in establishing YPP in Chicago.
(Keke, Chris and Deniel conduct workshops at the Chicago Youth Center in North Lawndale)
Quality Education as a Civil Right (QECR) was born. YPP Jackson students began working with the Algebra Project and students from Douglass High School and community members who were part of the Douglass Coalition in New Orleans to begin organizing around the idea of a Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing all children in the country the right to a high quality education. This culminated in a historic meeting at Howard University in March of 2005 with students, educators, organizers and veterans of the civil rights movement.
2005
NSF - YPP receives funding from the National Science Foundation ($2.3 million over 5-years), to expand programming and support the development of its training programs, curriculum materials and assessment tools.
(Herb facilitating workshops for students in Mississippi)
Finding Our Folk - YPP initiates the Finding Our Folk tour as a student led response to Hurricane Katrina. The tour documents the stories of people displaced by both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, creating opportunities for conversations with young people and community members using the art and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region as the entry point for a broader reflection on social change.
(Students second lining outside FEMA Trailer Park in Baton Rouge)
YPP Boston - YPP opens a Boston office in the Fields Corner Dorchester neighborhood, establishing a base for programing in the city.
Flagway Campaign - YPP begins the Flagway Campaign, seeking to create a context in communities throughout the country for students to practice and celebrate learning math.
Expansion - YPP expands to include programming in Petersburg, Va, Miami, Fl and Atlanta, Ga. (cities are links to their program page)
Leadership Development Institute - Jim Burruss begins working with young men in YPP to develop their leadership capacity.
(Bruce, London, Antoine, Omo, Lynell, Javier, Carl, Chad)
Big Bun We Love You! - On Friday, September 14th, Chris Adagbonyin, or “Big Bun” as we knew and loved him, was murdered. Chris among many things was a proud father and beautiful person who was responsible for helping to organize the Finding Our Folk Tour and developing YPP programs in Jackson, Cambridge and Chicago.
Y.P.P. Staff get together and prepare for the T.O.T Training in Joshua Tree,California.