This weekend the LEAP Academy in Camden NJ gave me their leadership award. I was overwhelmed. If you want an example of the very best in education, you should get to know and support the LEAP Academy. They take some of America’s poorest children and help those kids to a 100% high school graduation rate, and a 100% college acceptance: https://www.leapacademycharter.org/

In my acceptance talk, I described how I see the LEAP Academy with three songs that define “doing the impossible” and that lead to change.

1. It seems impossible in 2023 to create an equitable world, where health care and education are accessible to all. But as Sia sang, you need to start with “the courage to change.” A great song and it’s being done here at LEAP Academy.

2. It seems impossible to recognize, as the Persuaders sang, “the thin line between love and hate,” but here in the heart of Camden, we’re choosing love.

3. And finally, the LEAP Academy has proven what Curtis Mayfield sang about in his great song in 1972, Choice of Colors. “People must prove to the people that a better day is coming for you and me, with just a little bit more education, and love for our nation, would make a better society.”

And as long as I’m hanging around and vertical, I’ll be fighting the LEAP Academy fight for a brighter future. Because as Jethro Tull sang, I might be too old to rock and roll, but I’m way too young to die.

Photo: With Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, the co-founder, leader, and guiding spirit of LEAP. #leapacademy More about those songs in my book, Feelin’ Alright.