New High School of Greatness

My Day

By Dr. J. Ester Davis

Toni Johnson, President Alumni (FDR Alumni Nation@gmail.com

What is happening at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School these days?  So much construction going on. . . what are they doing?  What are all those new building for?  Who is leading the charge of community voices?  Well, first of all.   Bravo!!! to DISD.

This week I received an email from an innovative hard working “community voice” in the Roosevelt ‘feeder’, that stirred my journalist juices into action.  And to compliment the awaiting  conversation it was a pleasure to call and talk to Toni Johnson.  Toni Johnson, Roosevelt Alumni President, is a woman with grit, gusto and a genuine love for Roosevelt High School.  From the community, she is one of three(3)amazing women who are “leading the changes at Roosevelt”.  Several of the surrounding churches have been right beside the quest and the support thereof. Special emphasis was bestowed upon Pastor Morrison at the Cedar Crest Church of God and the church staff at Seven Day Advent Church blocks away.       

We can all agree that this year has been more than tiptoeing –thru-the- tulips, a trot through the parks of  struggle.  We have had bored billionaires burning their money looking for another planet while not paying taxes on planet earth,   fixers, nutty problem solvers, trouble makers,  iconoclasts and of course disrupters. And I must add diversions, the genius of them all.  But the Franklin D. Roosevelt Story is clear – its very much living history, celebration of blackness and community.   Alone with DISD directors, and LaKisha Thomas, their new Principal, Roosevelt High School is a paparazzi community of home grown leaders whose forethought and fortitude, energy and commitment is setting a new high profile bar. These and their neighbors are believing  in their own strength; and thus, setting their own example for others  to emulate.

Toni Johnson spoke straight forwardedly about the 2015 Bond Program, referring to it as the “fight for the battles” and the $45 million to build a new school.  Plus . . . $63 million in upgrades and renovations.  She tackled the questions of tearing the school down.   “The community did not want to tear down the school” she responded.  They wanted to hold on to memories alone with innovation and additions to the campus.  They wanted a new Culinary Arts Commercial Kitchen.  Grow their own food in their garden and green houses.  They wanted a student operated restaurant and a community garden.  They further wanted open spaces for future growth . . .  a fully operational clinic, pharmacy, bank  or maybe another HBO MAX.

I was introduced to a new term in the ‘fight for the battles’.  Toni Johnson courageously explained OACC.  Her knowledge base was drawn from  approximately 112 meetings with the OAC.

The 112 meetings (from 2015-to-2020), encompassed the owners, architects, contractors and community equals OACC. . . . working together to create a better world for future generations.

Be sure and meet the new principal via video.  She is on this link:  (https://youtu.be/Oa_vNjLcgZo.