SEPTEMBER, 2013. Last year, we interviewed Donald Hense who is the founder and head of Friendship Public Charter Schools (FPCS). Before we began our interview with Mr. Hense, he asked all of us a question which was, “Where are you going to college?”.
Victoria and Cierra answered, but I really did not have an answer. I felt kind of in the “hot seat”, so it was something I really had to think about. Now that I look back on it, I see that he really cares about us succeeding and going to college. How did it all get started? Why is Donald Hense a “living legend”? What exactly did he do to become one? What led up to Mr. Hense being able to accomplish so many things? His answers to our interview questions told us.
His parents were very supportive about whatever he wanted to do as long as he was involved in something positive. Mr.Hense said that at some point you can not depend on your parents, you have to do things yourself and show who you are.
He attended Morehouse College during the time of segregation. For him, going to a black college offered an environment where he was not judged because of race, but judged by what he contributed to the community, and whether he did something that was important. During his time at Morehouse, he was greatly inspired by Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, President of Morehouse College, who was a mentor to everyone, including himself and Dr. Martin Luther King. One of his most remembered moments at college was when he was an usher at Martin Luther King’s funeral, which was held on the Morehouse campus. Mr.Hense was involved in the civil rights movement. It had a huge impact on his life because he saw the issues of segregation and he wanted to help bring change.
When he left Morehouse for Standford University, Mr. Hense felt as if he was out of his community. Even though he was the only black in the college of economics, he felt as if Stanford gave him great wealth of knowledge and more opportunities than Morehouse.
He founded Friendship Schools after he worked as executive director for Friendship House in Washington, DC. He had a vision that he would make the lives of people in the African-American community better. He was motivated to create our school because when he started as the director of Friendship House, he saw that lots of kids had dropped out of school. Mr. Hense wanted to make sure that everyone understands how important college is.
Even though he has accomplished so many things, Mr. Hense does not consider himself a living legend. Victoria Bell who has gone to Friendship since the age of five let him know that she saw him as a legend. He would like young people to remember him for being an important role model in the community. He would like for young people to believe in themselves, have a sense of self-worth and work hard to achieve their dreams.
Donald Hense of Friendship Public Charter Schools was elected to the National Alliance of Charter Schools Hall of Fame for his accomplishments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTEGl5KhJkI
Brionna Wiggins, Victoria Bell and Cierra Harper are sixth grade students at Friendship Woodridge Academy.
Catch A Glimpse of Donald Hense
INTERVIEW BY BRIONNA WIGGINS, CIERRA HARPER AND VICTORIA BELL W/ HELP FROM FNN STAFFER DESIREE GIRELLE