Help Kwentin Return to Ile Omode

Dear Family and Friends,

Kwentin came to me with a request that I couldn't deny a few months ago. He wanted to return to his previous school, Ile Omode, for his final year of middle school. I explained, I couldn't afford it (single mother, private student loans, launching my private practice full time, living in the Bay Area, blah, blah, blah. . . ). Kwentin explained that he missed the academic rigor and care of Ile Omode, felt that he had fallen behind, and wanted to be prepared for high school. He told ME that he knew that returning to Ile Omode would help strengthen his math and computer science skills, while providing him with the structure and African-centered education he was accustomed to (he had attended Ile Omode from ages 3-11). I was impressed by his motivation and passion for education. I thought about it, and then I attended Ile Omode's 8th grade graduation this year. And I listened to each one of the students' speeches, saw and REMEMBERED the love the faculty and staff bestowed upon the students, and witnessed how being seen and held to high standards ushered these beautiful Black children into their academic greatness. And I wanted my child to have nothing less.

And so here I am; lowering my pride, getting out of my own way and asking for help. Today was the first day of school for many, Kwentin will start school at Ile Omode on 9/3/2024. If you have a little extra to give please help us return to Ile Omode. The money will pay off my previous tuition balance and get us through the 1st semester. I very much appreciate whatever you can give, including well wishes. It takes a village and we definitely need your support to get us through this leg of our educational journey. For more information about Ile Omode, one of the only all Black, African-centered PreK-8th grade schools in California, please go to www.ileomode.org.

Thank you for your time, your consideration and your support!

Love,

Natalye and Kwentin