#ProtectBlackChildren 

University Academy Charter School’s (UA) mission is to prepare its students to serve as positive role models and valuable members of the community. They have seemingly achieved this goal by mass producing successful college students and young professionals. However, there has been dramatic oversight to the school’s treatment of its Black students. Classroom issues which arise that interrogate the concept of race and racism are quickly dismissed or brushed under the rug. The latest incident occuring at the school, entails a white male teacher repeatedly saying and justifying saying the word, “nigga” to multiple classrooms of Black students. 

These Experiences are not foreign to the alumni of University Academy. Rather than an isolated incident, these events are reflective of what we believe to be an ongoing issue since many of us were students. Over the years, there have been many instances of covert and overt racism from staff members at the school. However, the latest racial incident is too large to ignore. What is most disappointing here is the irony of UA; a charter school meant to empower youth of color, specifically Black youth, often from low-income backgrounds, to academically succeed. Yet, too often behind closed doors we find them dismissing the intellectual contributions and challenges of Black students.  Often followed by a lack of accountability.  

Recently, University Academy Alumni and students have come forth expressing concerns related to racist actions and words of UA upper school History & African American studies teacher, Mr. Johnny Wolfe. On Thursday November 10th, University Academy History teacher Johnny Wolfe utilized the slur “nigga”, multiple times to his primarily Black student body. Mr. Wolfe is well aware that “nigga” and “nigger”  are directly rooted in maintaining white supremacy and Black oppression. There is a video that details the Black Students subjected to this intellectual violence bravely expressing their feelings of  discomfort about his use of the racial slur, as well as its impact on their educational experience. In response, Mr. Wolfe continued to repeat the racial slur, referencing pop culture as a form of justification. Instead of taking responsibility and accountability, this man  gaslit young Black students and belittled their intelligence. This is unacceptable behavior of ANY educator.

This is not the first instance of racism being reported at the hands of Mr. Wolfe, including an alleged report that he formerly imitated the whipping of another Black student. Past students of Mr. Wolfe recalled his attempts to utilize his marriage to a Black woman as excuses for his racial bias. Though all of these issues have been presented to administration, students' cries for intervention have fallen on deaf ears. Mr. Wolfe is still gainfully employed by University Academy.

Black students, when faced with adversities such as those presented by Mr. Wolfe, are at an increased risk of high school dropout, psychological distress, and long-term health impacts such as high blood pressure and increased anxiety. Mr. Wolfe is single-handedly contributing to issues that we as a Black community work tirelessly to prevent our children from experiencing.

Johnny Wolfe is in direct contrast to the Goals of University Academy, “ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for the children of our community.” In his attempt to teach about the “power of words”, and his response thereafter,  he showcased White privilege and systems that oppress Black communities. No child should be faced with this, especially in school at the hands of a teacher.

In UA’s public statement they declared this an act of “stupidity” instead of calling it out for the Racist acts that it is. How can UA have an “expectation for awareness and inclusivity” when they have a teacher who mitigates students’ awareness and does not make them feel included? We must preserve the mental health of our Black students. They cannot become positive role models or valuable members of the community if their health outcomes are destroyed before high school completion. 

To assist University Academy in addressing the matter in a manner consistent with the goal of ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for the children of our community, UA Alumni are placing this Call to Action with steps needed to ensure that this situation, nor any like it, will ever occur again. 

It is the demand of University Academy Alumni that:

1. Johnny Wolfe is removed from his teaching position at University Academy effective immediately, and permanently.
2. During the investigation, Johnny Wolfe should be on leave without pay.
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force to be established which includes Current students, Staff, Parents, and Alumni. This task force can not be selected by UA administration and should be established through volunteers or voting only.
4. University Academy increases the diversity in their staff. Including All future African American History courses being taught by an African American teacher.
5. Mandatory diversity and inclusion staff training requirements put in place, at minimum twice-yearly. This training must be from a POC owned program that is a Non-UA affiliate.
6. Twice-Yearly Town Hall space to allow current students and  Alumni issues to be heard and addressed.

Our mission is to protect current University Academy students, who will one day join us as Alumni. We care about our school and would like UA to be a space we feel safe to send our own children. We cannot do that if we fear that they will be traumatized and gaslit while in pursuit of an education. We expect a prompt response from University Academy administration on how this situation will be rectified for the benefit of all UA students.

Class of 2023 has been fighting this alone and we cannot let them! Whether you are an Alumni, Student, Parent, Staff, or Supporter please sign this petition and share with those you know and love. Change is needed and we will not stop until it is enacted!

For more information on this incident

Listen to Johnny Wolfe’s justification of his use of the slur here.

Watch the Fox 4KC news story here.