On August 12, Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School (AoH) participated in a documentary screening and panel discussion, “Growth Doesn’t Graduate: The Future of Learning, Work, & Wealth for Black America,” at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF).
The panel featured AoH CEO Lecester Johnson, American Businessman, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist Paxton Baker, President of Delaware State University Dr. Tony Allen, and AoH alum Angel H., as they discussed the documentary, “Academy of Hope: Taking on America’s Adult Education Problem” and the role lifelong learning plays in economic mobility.
This documentary explores the consequences of the belief that education ends with K-12, shedding light on the barriers this narrative creates for adult learners and lifelong growth in Washington, DC.
Many adults in the District had to pause their education due to systemic barriers like racial inequity, economic hardship, illness, or caregiving responsibilities. In response, 90,000 DC residents have low basic educational skills. Around 7% of adults over the age of 25 in the city don’t have a high school diploma. These obstacles make it difficult to read a newspaper, complete a job application, be hired, or access digital tools.
Adults cannot overcome these challenges without access to education. Maintaining the belief that education ends with K-12 does not benefit individuals, the workforce, or society.
Adult education programs, like AoH, contribute towards solving this issue by meeting adults where they are. AoH provides free high school diploma pathways (GED and National External Diploma Program (NEDP)), workforce training programs, and wraparound services to residents in DC, regardless of skill level. By providing high-quality education and training, AoH’s mission is to help empower adults to transform their lives and spark economic mobility.
AoH alumni Angel H. and Todd C. shared how earning their high school diploma helped them do just that.
Angel overcame significant challenges, including poverty, homelessness, and family substance abuse. For most of her life, she served as the “glue” holding her family together, prioritizing their needs above her own. So when she was diagnosed with sarcoidosis of the lungs, she realized she needed to take charge of her health so she could continue supporting her loved ones while also investing in her own future. Inspired by this wake-up call, she pursued personal goals, including working towards her high school diploma at AoH.
In the 1980s, Todd left school to care for his father suffering from illness. He maintained stable employment without a high school diploma with his trucking business until the 2008 recession. The recession forced him to declare bankruptcy and search for a new job. While completing job applications, he realized the modern-day importance of a high school diploma, which motivated him to enroll in NEDP.
Angel and Todd came from different backgrounds and took different high school pathways. Yet, both showed up, worked hard, and persevered to earn their high school credentials to open the door to new careers, education, and personal opportunities.
“From the day up until graduation, they were giving me this key to unlock that door from the dark place that I was in, and when I graduated was when I turned that key, and it opened the door,” Angel said.
Since graduation, Angel has received her associate’s degree in business administration, is working towards her bachelor’s degree, and works at AoH as an administrative assistant. Todd was hired by the District of Columbia Department of Public Works as a roll-off truck driver and solid waste manager. Both are earning a higher income to support themselves and their families.
Their AoH testimonies are a small portion of the grand impact adult education provides adults in Washington, DC, and across the country. Yet, adult education programs remain severely underfunded and underrecognized. That’s why community involvement, advocacy, and donations are essential to keep programs running and continue giving adults the high-quality education they deserve.