A Letter to Ascend Legacy Academy Future Parents

Dear Future ALA Parents,

 Thank you for stepping out on faith and joining me on this purposeful journey as we have built and shaped this educational model together. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your decision to enroll your son at Ascend Legacy Academy - for believing in my vision as a founder, and for investing in an educational community that, though once more common generations ago, is rarely seen in today’s educational ecosystem.

 You made the bold decision to seek something greater for your Black son-something that recognized his brilliance, valued his safety, nurtured his faith, and cultivated his development. You desired a model of education that emphasizes experiential learning, character formation, community engagement, and the affirmation of Black male joy.

 I am deeply appreciative of your willingness to roll up your sleeves and get involved-whether serving as a chaperone for an international experience, volunteering at our annual male summit, or stepping in whenever we needed all hands-on deck. I know this journey has not always been easy. Many of you began this experience without a clear roadmap, walking with us as we, in many ways, “built the plane while flying it.” Support systems for a model this bold simply did not exist, yet you remained steadfast.

Our three-day classroom model paired with two days of experiential learning in the field, our emphasis on hands-on growth, and our nontraditional approach to education all required courage-not only from our scholars, but from you. Thank you for being brave enough to unlearn many of the ideas about what “education” should look like, shaped by your own experiences. Thank you for sitting with that discomfort so your child could experience something transformative-something that challenges and redefines what education can be in this country.

 Above all, thank you for your boldness and your belief. You wanted more for your son—an educational experience that allowed him to discover his purpose, affirm his identity, nurture his confidence, and envision the type of man he aspires to become: a young man of legacy, integrity, and purpose.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Dr. Chanel Gaither