Joshua Alexander

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  Joshua commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Still Separate, Still Unequal? (An Introduction)

  Will the Mayor get his sons’ uniforms from the new store that wants to cater to DC Schools?
  DC’s First School Uniform Store to Open August 10, 2009
  
  DC’s Mayor is making good on his promise to send his sons to public school this fall. And when classes begin, the boys, along with 45,000 other DCPS students, will need new uniforms. Earlier this year, guidelines were laid out for a more stringent uniform policy—which studies have shown to improve student discipline, attendance and retention—but in the past parents usually had to venture out to Maryland to purchase the mandatory attire.
   
  Enter Octavia Taylor Jackson, a mother of three young boys who attend DC public schools. After a layoff in late March, she put into motion a plan she had begun working on months before. Jackson, a native Washingtonian, has held well-paying jobs in the government, corporate and nonprofit sectors, but found her calling in entrepreneurship. Her passion for education and seeing children succeed in school pushed her to create Y.E.S.S.S. (Your Educational Supplies, Systems and Services), a school uniform and educational supply store that also provides consulting for information technology systems and related services for schools.
   
  In a period of only four months, Jackson—whose last job was Senior Vice President for Information Technology at an educational nonprofit—located a venue, hired contractors, ordered inventory, found employees and is hosting the grand opening of her new store at 108 Rhode Island Avenue, NW on Monday, August 10. Just in time for the back-to-school season.
   
  Asked about the reason for her new venture, Jackson states, “I remember several PTA meetings where I would commiserate with other parents over our frustration in finding school uniforms and supplies right here in DC. The tax free weekend wasn't beneficial when I had to go out to Maryland to find uniforms for my children who attend DC public schools. I started the company because I enjoy working with children and saw the need in my community for a store that sells school uniforms and supplies. I believe that this company is my destined career for the rest of my work life.”
   
  Y.E.S.S.S. (Your Educational Supplies, Systems and Services) is the preeminent provider of educational resources that students need to complete their education with the highest level of success.  The company caters to the academic community by offering a full-scale product line of school supplies, from uniforms to books and backpacks; along with consulting for information technology systems and related services. For more information, visit www.theyesss.com or call (202) 525-4157.