32 years. 32 years of life…24 years of formal public school education (PreK through college). 8 years of serving as an educator. 4 collegiate degrees including a terminal degree. And yet…I had never heard of Juneteenth until a passing conversation with a colleague. Never HEARD about it…and that was in a passing conversation; which, of course, piqued my curiosity to investigate and dig deeper. Many will read that and not understand its significance, but allow me to put it into perspective for you.
Why do we celebrate the 4th of July? If we are looking at this question to determine true meaning, and not simply as an excuse to party and enjoy a day off (of which I am NO stranger to both of the aforementioned concepts), the answer would be to celebrate a release from bondage by who the forefathers of this country considered an oppressive regime/government/entity. This bondage was literal in the sense of taxation without representation, but not in the sense of having to wear literal chains. Let me be very explicit before I continue on with this post and say that I am thankful to live in America and very much appreciate the freedoms that come with being born in this country. I am a traditionalist when it comes to singing the anthem (which most don’t even know what I mean by that) and indulge in many of the opportunities that come with being an American. With that in mind, I also appreciate and engage in the ability of American citizens to challenge (“alter” per the Declaration of Independence) the government when we, the people, determine that its actions are “destructive” (also the verbiage used within the wording of the DOI).
I also want to be explicit in the acknowledgement that it is IMPOSSIBLE to separate the “African” from the term “African-American” until every form of American receives equal rights and REPRESENTATION; that same representation that was fought for in 1776. People of African descent in this country also have a date that represents their official breaking of chains that, unfortunately, because people who look like me were viewed as less than human (property, actually) on July 4, 1776, did not come until 89 years AFTER the signing of the Declaration of Independence. THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR AMERICAN HISTORY!! Notice I said American history, and not African-American history. Progress happens in steps and phases; change takes time. But it is important to acknowledge EACH of those steps that move the people of this country forward. It is important for ALL people (not just those who look like me) to learn about these events because they CELEBRATE ways in which we shed the archaic practices and provisions meant to oppress others who, for whatever reason, are viewed as anything but human.
I didn’t receive that entirely encompassing education of American history as a child, and even as I sit here, 36 years of age, I am STILL learning about events scattered throughout American history that have impacted people of African descent, both tragedies and victories. I learned more about the failures and triumphs of Europe as a “academian” than I EVER did about America (and I was enrolled in Advanced Placement US History…doesn’t see very advanced if we’re leaving out key elements).
It goes back to that word that created so many issues 245 years ago – representation. It matters. In everything. When we learn about those who have come before us, we learn about US. Its not possible to have an identity if you aren’t learning about people who look like you, AS WELL AS, those who do not.
It’s all about perspective. In this skin, I have been called naively optimistic, and I own that. Positivity is a choice. Through that positivity, I choose to acknowledge that as we have progressed through the last 245 years, life HAS gotten better for people who look like me (no more physical chains…). However, that does not negate the disparities that still exist due to generational inequities. These inequities will only be dissolved through genuine collaboration and awareness that there is a problem to solve and providing equitable opportunities to ALL individuals who need them in order to pursue the best version of themselves.
I learn something new everyday about myself and the world around me. Some days I learn something that encourages me and provides hope for the future. Some days I learn something that crushes my belief in the innate good of mankind. But no matter what I learn, I press forth with the belief that TOGETHER we are capable of providing a better tomorrow for future generations. I just try to do my part.
Collaboration over Competition.
Education over Enterprise.
Progress through Perspective.
Acknowledging the past does not take away from the ability to move forward. If anything, it provides a springboard to identify existing barriers in order to liberate everyone from the bonds of oppression. History that is not taught or acknowledged is doomed to repeat itself – the chains and barriers just may appear in another form. We all have the RIGHT to live freely and to the fullest! But until we are all truly free, none of us will ever be free.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (now clearly defined) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Published by Dr. Dré Graham
Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated educator, Dr. Dakeyan Chá Dré Graham, travels throughout the United States as an acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and clinician. He advocates for student, educator, and parent empowerment and opportunity as the Assistant Principal at Talbot Elementary School, formerly holding the position of Director of Educational Equity and Outreach for Alachua County Public Schools and Assistant Principal at Rawlings Elementary School. He also currently serves as musical director and conductor of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra in Gainesville, FL. CEO and Founder of Re-Imagining Equity and Learning (R.E.A.L.), Dr. Graham actively travels the nation delivering keynote speeches, professional development seminars, and workshops in the educational, instructional, musical, and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access) spaces. He is also widely sought out as a music clinician, having worked with band and orchestra students and ensembles across the southeastern United States. The 2019 Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year, Dr. Graham was selected in July 2019 as the 2020 Florida Teacher of the Year, representing 74 school districts and more than 195,000 teachers. During the 2019-2020 school year, Dr. Graham was on sabbatical from teaching and served as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. In this role, he toured the state delivering motivational speeches and workshops focused on empowering teachers to create the most impactful learning experience possible for their students.
Following his selection as the 2020 FLTOY, he went on to advocate for all of the students of Florida as a member of the executive cabinet and senior staff at the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). In 2022, after serving for two years as the Executive Director in the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice for the Florida Department of Education, Dr. Graham transitioned to support turnaround schools throughout the state as the Executive Director of School Improvement. As an avid equity champion, he also served as the Vice Chair of the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, as a member of the education committee and chair of the mentorship committee. During this time, he founded the M.M.A.A.N. Up! (Male Mentors of African Americans Network) Statewide mentorship program initiative. He was also appointed by the governor of Florida as a Commissioner for the Florida Commission on Community Service in 2021, where he presently serves as chair of the Volunteer Services Committee and a member of the National Programs Committee. Dr. Graham also serves on a number of boards that directly impact the provision of opportunity for our world’s future leaders, including: University of Florida Alumni Association Board of Directors (Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees member and a Regional Director), Instruments of Change Board of Directors (President), Florida Association of Teacher Educators Board of Directors (Regional Director), The University of Florida Association of Black Alumni (President-Elect), the Community Foundation of North Central Florida Equity Task Force, Gentlemen’s Quest Tampa Board of Directors (Vice Chair), King High School Alumni Association, the Florida Music Education association Board of Directors (Emerging Leaders Committee Chair), and the Florida Bandmasters Association (Health and Wellness Chair).
A proud product of Hillsborough County Public Schools, Dr. Graham served as the Director of Instrumental Studies at his alma mater, C. Leon King High School in Tampa, FL, where his teaching responsibilities included leading the KHS Marching Lions, conducting the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic and Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber, Symphonic, and Concert Orchestras, Percussion Ensemble, and supervising the Lionettes Dance Team. During his 11 years in HCPS, his students consistently demonstrated determination, focus and tenacity as they earned a performance position in the prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Graham holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education (University of Florida), a Master’s in Educational Leadership (Concordia University), a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (University of South Florida), a Doctorate of Education in Learning Design and Performance Technology (Florida State University), and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting (University of Florida).
Serving as a past president of the Hillsborough Secondary Music Council and founder of the Eastern Coalition of Music Directors, Dr. Graham travels around the state as an adjudicator for both the Florida Bandmasters and Orchestra Associations. In 2012, Dr. Graham was a finalist for Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year and a semi-finalist and quarterfinalist for Grammy Music Educator of the Year in 2013 and 2020, respectively. He was acknowledged as a 2020 LifeChanger of the Year award recipient by National Life Group. Dr. Graham has been honored as a 2020 USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipient, one of 40 Gators Under 40 in 2021 for his work in the field of education, and was inducted into the C. Leon King High School Hall of Fame as a member of the Wall of Pride for distinguished alumni in 2023.
Dr. Graham is blessed to share life with his wife, Casey (also an educator), and daughter, Aaliyah. His passion is to fight for ALL students to have an equitable educational experience tailored to their unique and individual needs in order for them to purse the best version of themselves, especially those furthest from justice. He works to continue positively impacting the next generation of world changers.
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