Description: Deborah Wang reports that 86 African American students attend the Imani Institute, a private school where students learn about their African heritage. Interview with institute director Ozzie Edwards, who says that parental involvement is key to a child's academic success. He adds that the students learn to be proud of their heritage. The school is housed temporarily in the Elliot Street Congregational Church. Many students formerly attended Boston public schools and area Catholic schools. Interview with President of the Parents' Council, Sadiki Kambon, who says that many African American students are not receiving a good education in the public schools. The Imani Institute needs to raise additional funds in order to make it past its first year.
1:00:11: Visual: Footage of four young African American female students stepping out of a car onto a sidewalk. The girls are dressed in school uniforms. Shots of students in uniforms gathered outside of the Elliot Congregational Church in Roxbury. Shot of an African American boy looking out of a window of the building. Deborah Wang reports that the Imani Institute is not a traditional parochial school. V: Footage of African American schoolchildren gathered in an auditorium. The students sing "Lift Every Voice." Shots of individual schoolchildren. Wang reports that a school assembly is held each morning; that each class has a Swahili name. Wang notes that the students recite a pledge about their African past. V: Footage of the schoolchildren at the assembly saying together, "We are the African people." Wang reports that there are 86 African American students at the Imani Institute; that the students learn about their African heritage. V: Shots of Imani students standing in a classroom; of students sitting in an assembly; of individual schoolchildren. Footage of Ozzie Edwards (Director, Imani Institute) saying that the school gives students a sense of pride about their heritage. Shot of a handwritten sign for the fourth grade class known as "Anika." Footage of an African American female teacher working with students in a classroom; of students working at desks. Wang reports that many of the educational concepts behind the Imani Institute date back to the 1960s; that these educational concepts are becoming more popular with parents. Wang notes that many parents believe that public schools are in crisis. V: Footage of Edwards saying that there are problems with the education of African American children. Edwards says that African American children are not achieving the level of education of other groups. Wang reports that many Imani students are former students of the Boston Public Schools; that some are former students of the African American Catholic school St. Francis de Sales. Wang notes that the St. Francis de Sales school closed over the summer. V: Shot of the exterior of the former St. Francis de Sales school building. Shot of an African American female teacher with young students in a classroom. The students sit in a circle on the floor. Shots of the students. Wang reports that parents of students at the Imani Institute have insisted on having input on the education provided by the school. V: Footage of Sadiki Kambon (President, Parents' Council) saying that many parents decided that the Imani Institute was the best place for their children; that the public schools are not providing a good education. Footage of Edwards saying that parental background and involvement are critical to a child's success in school. Edward says that parents need to be interested in their child's education; that parents do not have to be well educated. Shots of older students in a classroom with an African American male teacher. Shots of the teacher and the students. Wang reports that the school has no permanent home; that the school is housed temporarily in the Elliot Congregational Church. Wang notes that the Imani Institute must raise an additional $60,000 in order to make it past the first year. V: Shots of Imani students leaving the morning assembly.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/12/1989
Description: Christy George reports that the Boston School Committee held an executive session to make a decision on the renewal of the contract of superintendent Laval Wilson Several audience members addressed the Boston School Committee about Wilson's performance before they made their decision. Jim Hobby (South Boston resident), Minister Don Muhammad (Roxbury community leader), and Pedro Posado (Latino activist) address the members of the School Committee at a meeting. The School Committee has offered Wilson a two-year contract with constant performance reviews and no perquisites. George adds that the contract does not allow Wilson much freedom to operate. School Committee president Thomas O'Reilly and Committee member Robert Cappucci announce the contract at a School Committee meeting. O'Reilly talks about the details of the contract. Cappucci expresses his non-support of Wilson. Wilson speaks to reporters about his new contract. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Marcus Jones reports on the Ninth Annual Black-Jewish Seder held in Roxbury
1:00:18: Visual: Footage of a Boston School Committee meeting. Shots audience members crowded into the chambers of the Boston School Committee. Shots of Dr. Laval Wilson (Superintendent, Boston Public Schools) standing at the front of the School Committee chambers. Christy George reports that audience members had 30 seconds each to address the School Committee on the subject of Wilson's contract. V: Footage of Jim Hobby (South Boston resident) saying that there is a high drop-out rate in South Boston. He accuses Wilson of not doing his job. Shots of School Committee members John Grady, Jean McGuire, and John Nucci at the front of the School Committee Chambers. Footage of Don Muhammad (Roxbury community leader) saying that Wilson's contract should be renewed; that Wilson has begun to turn the school system around. Shots of audience members. Footage of Pedro Posado (Latino activist) saying that the School Committee needs to address the concerns of the Latino community. Shots of the School Committee members at the front of the chambers. George notes that the Committee members made their decision in an executive session; that the members of the School Committee ended up with a compromise. V: Footage of Thomas O'Reilly (President, Boston School Committee) standing at the front of the chambers with Wilson and Robert Cappucci (Boston School Committee). O'Reilly announces that the School Committee decided to offer Wilson a two-year contract. O'Reilly notes that the contract includes provisions relating to on-going performance relationships. Footage of Cappucci saying that the School Committee vote was seven-to-six; that there are six School Committee members who do not think Wilson should continue as superintendent. Cappucci says that the six members will do everything they can to see that Boston gets a new superintendent. Shots of School Committee members speaking to the press; of Gerald Anderson (Boston School Committee) speaking to the media. George reports that Wilson had wanted a three- or four-year contract. George notes that the first year of the contract is guaranteed; that the second year of the contract depends on good performance reviews. V: Footage of Wilson speaking to the media. Wilson says that he has served for six years in Boston; that six years is the longest tenure of any superintendent in the recent past. George reports that Wilson's contract is a two-year contract with constant performance reviews and no perquisites. George notes that Wilson will have another chance to prove himself; that he will not have a lot of room to maneuver.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 04/11/1989
Description: David Goerlitz, a former model for Winston cigarette ads, has quit smoking and now visits schools to teach children dangers of the habit. Goerlitz speaking a at school assembly. Print ads featuring Goerlitz. Goerlitz accuses the tobacco industry on targeting children and young teens. Interview with students after assembly on teh lack of smoking education in schools. Interview with Goerlitz on why kids listen to him more than other antismoking advocates. Goerlitz talks with school kids after the assembly. Marcus Jones reports in front of a Winston cigarette ad featuring Goerlitz that is still up in Boston. Following the edited story is b-roll of Goerlitz talking to kids after school assembly. Closeups on print ads.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/25/1989