LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – W. E. B. DuBois Academy is saying congratulations and goodbye to its first graduating class on Tuesday. The school was founded in 2018 as an all-male school specifically for African Americans.
The accomplishments of the legacy class of 2025 set a precedent. About 70 percent of graduates are heading to college, while others are going into a trade or starting their own businesses.
“When they say one power and one brotherhood, that’s what you get,” Graduate Jayden Richardson explained.
W.E.B. DuBois Academy is different from other schools in JCPS. It prides itself on having an Afrocentric curriculum with a focus on leadership. For students, that means representation matters.
“Growing up, I faced heavy colorism,” Josiah Burton said. “Because of that, I hated being black. Every time someone saw me, they would say stuff like ‘you are dark,’ and ‘you are ugly.’ That made me hate being black.” Josiah Burton is the Class President and one of 63 students who have been with the school since the beginning. He recognizes the difference that going to W.E.B. made on him academically and socially.
Through building relationships, education, and a powerful creed, Dr. Monica Hunter-Kirby taught the class of 2025 that they are more than their skin color, and their test scores reflect that.
“We have outperformed black boys across the district and Kentucky on state assessments,” Dr. Monica Hunter-Kirby, W.E.B. DuBois Academy Principal, explained. “We have outperformed some other demographics within our district in writing and math.”
Collectively, these soon-to-be graduates earn more than $800,000 in scholarships. Burton recognizes the magnitude of what the situation could’ve been versus his reality.
“I probably wouldn’t be in the same position I am; I would probably be in jail or dead,” Burton said. “There’s no one else like the class of 2025. We’re the pioneer class. We made it through 6th grade and COVID. We have gone through all these struggles, and now we are here. We are successful, and we are on to the next journey of our lives.”
The first graduating class of W.E.B. DuBois Academy will graduate on May 27 at 4 p.m.
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