notable
PEOPLE
The following individuals have deeply invested their time in the Douglas community, and work to improve its future.
Sherry Williams
|
Jitu Brown
National Director of Journey For Justice
Jitu Brown grew up on the South Side of Chicago, and spent his childhood matriculating through the CPS system, graduating from Kenwood Academy High School. Initially, Brown began a career in the music industry, and it wasn't until he performed at an elementary school, and that he felt compelled to pursue a career advocating for student rights. He began volunteering for the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) in 1991, becoming a board member in 1993, and eventually served as the Board president for several years, In 2006 he joined the staff as education organizer, and has fought to bring underrepresented voices in the community to light, and to the negotiating table for education for over 17 years. Brown also assisted in developing a the advocacy group, Mid-South Education Association, that works to answer the needs of schools in Chicago. The group is made up of administrators, parents, teachers, students and local school council members, and the group was the first to certify parents as LSC facilitators a strategy now implemented throughout the Chicago area. In September 2015, Brown was engaged in Bronzeville leading the Dyett Hunger Strikes in order to advocate for the reopening and renovation of Dyett High School, going without food for 34 days. Today, Jitu Brown continues his efforts to ensure that black and brown students in CPS schools receive equitable, education that gives students not only a foundation for success, and schools provide positive uplift for black communities in Douglas, and throughout the Chicago area.