It was a honor to be here in California with longtime friends, colleagues, and supporters to attend the Celebration of Life of this amazing man, Don Shalvey. Please read the article below about him. I first met Don through Dr. Howard Fuller in 2001 and formed an immediate connection that led to numerous phone calls with me seeking his advice and counsel. I loved talking with the man. I was the young CEO of a national organization founded by Dr. Howard Fuller and was seeking out mentors. Don became one for me. I only wish I had taken him up on his offer to come ride horses with him in California many moons ago.
When I stepped away from education briefly to work for Target Corporation and after that, lead the Urban League of Greater Madison, I fell out of touch with Don and many of my colleagues working on education reform nationally. I am happy I got to talk with Don in the year before he passed. He was still the same affable and inspiring source of inspiration and reflection who reminded me that the work we do is hard, but that our children need us to stay the course.
During my last conversation with Don, he said, "They (children) cannot transform public education for themselves; they need us to do that for them. You have always been the right one for the job, Kaleem, and I am glad you found your way back to your mission. The work is hard and it will always be hard, but stay the course. The positive impact you are having on the lives of the children you educate and are advocating for, and the communities where they will live in the future, will be felt for generations."
Thank you, Don. BTW, the woman who served me breakfast yesterday raved about the positive impact your schools have had on her granddaughter, who has taken college courses in high school and is applying to colleges this year. She said Aspire schools are the best in the Stockton area, and that she wished she could thank you in person. I am doing that for her here. God bless your beautiful spirit. You will never be forgotten. Onward. 🙂