In 2017, Matrix Magazine wrote, “New School Rules: Black Men Change the Face of Education in Chicago”
Urban Prep Academies is well known for its moniker “100 Percent Matters.” It’s because, in 2010, one hundred percent of the graduating class was accepted into a four-year college or university. The trend has continued, as most recent data with the Illinois Interactive Report Card indicates that 94 percent of its students graduate in 4-7 years; in comparison to the State of Illinois which states at 86 percent. It is a story of long-standing success, made possible by a massive network of educators and students. — all lead by one man’s vision. That man is Tim King.
Tim King is an educator, greatly influenced by his family. Tim’s mother, LoAnn, patient and nurturing, taught in Chicago Public Schools for 17 years and later worked as dean and vice president at Olive-Harvey and Kennedy-King colleges. His late paternal grandfather, Paul King Sr., was the founder of P.K. Produce, Chicago’s first Black-owned produce firm, selling produce to national grocery stores in the city. His maternal grandparents were also entrepreneurs.
He watched his father, Paul King Jr., build a contracting business, UBM, to become one of the largest Black construction companies in the country. Paul worked with legislators to fix the wrongs of racism in America and often traveled statewide to speak about the plight of minority contractors. He was a thought leader and leading activist for affirmative action policy. His work is legendary and brought significant change to the construction industry. In many instances, he notably put the concept of “affirmative action” on the map as he worked with the late Congressmen Parren Mitchell and Gus Savage as well as Mayors Richard Daley, Harold Washington, and Eugene Sawyer. The King family experience is rich with pioneers, innovation, and successful behavior. For example, Tim took an entrepreneurship spirit to task to build the educational model for Chicago’s Urban Prep Academies, a network of all-male charter public high schools.
Tim’s education is well-heeled and global. He attended Georgetown University, completed his bachelor’s, and holds a J.D. in Law and International Affairs from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C.
King furthered his education in Florence, Italy, and at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. As a result, he received a global perspective early in his career choice.
Tim has served his community well, and his resume includes Chicago Park District Commissioner and professor and lecturer at Northwestern University.
His career path unfolded not as a teacher but as an educator. He established an educational system. He is rooted in his community and has observed firsthand the vice and target of Black males. King served as President of Hale Franciscan High School for five years. Hale Franciscan is the only catholic school dedicated to the education of Black male high school teens. Oprah Winfrey took notice of King’s work and invited him to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show and was praised by Winfrey as being an “Angel.”
Urban Prep Academies…
King founded the non-profit Urban Prep Academies in 2002. After his application to open an all-male charter school was denied twice by the Chicago Board of Education, it was finally approved in December 2005. In 2006, the nation’s first Black all-male school opened in the Englewood community. The school intentionally educated Black young men, preparing them for college and professional life. Later other locations opened in Bronzeville and University Village. The atmosphere is similar to those who went to Morehouse, where they proudly and unashamedly tell you that “I am a Morehouse Man.”
King created an Urban Prep philosophy and was challenged with a population that many have given up on or overlooked – Black teen boys that are often overlooked and vulnerable to gangs, street violence, and prison. So he gave them a new look at life as he prepared them for their future. But not only their future but their communities, where their education could make a difference not just for their families but for their communities. As a result, King educated a community of Black males and readied them for leadership roles.
Over the years, he has educated approximately 1600 Black men with a 100 percent graduation rate and sent them to colleges and universities nationwide — Yale, Morehouse, Harvard, University of Illinois, among others.
His educational method is noteworthy. In 2010 People magazine named him one of their “Heroes of the Year“ for his work as the “first public all-boys charter school, focused on Black males.”
Success…
At Urban Prep, Tim created a culture of success built upon four pillars – Respect, Responsibility, Rituals, and Relationships. Each of these plays a vital role in the students’ and alums’ overall academic success and social-emotional development. The motto for the educational institution is “We Believe.” A traditional navy blue blazer and tie is the uniform for Urban Prep. No baggy pants. He has been focused on his mission without apology for his purpose.
At graduation, the boys signed up for their colleges with caps signifying their school of choice. The success rate was 110%. Education is hard work; it is not instant but a deliberate process. King mastered the educational technique of success. He signed his boys up just like a sports team but enrolled for college.
Defying the Odds…
Tim King defied the odds with an actual grid. Changing how the students dressed, he groomed them to be gentlemen and professionals as he taught them history to prepare them for the future. Leadership 101 was the order of the day.
King resigned his post early this month and is currently under investigation by CPS for funding mishaps and sexual misconduct. He may have borrowed money with high-interest rates to pay vendors, but it is what many small businesses do to stay alive because the bank is not always available. Also, Covid was tough on companies and non for profits, and people did what they had to exist. He survived and took care of his school with full responsibility.
Tim has educated an army of Black men to come back home as professionals. They, in turn, will change the Black community. It starts with education, and they often come back from college as dedicated community leaders. Systemic change begins with this formula, and it’s not an outcry for poverty or disadvantage. Instead, it is a step toward success and winning. It is an essential element of American success.
Unfortunately, to this very day, when Black men stand up for themselves even in a successful way, stepping out of the box, too often, they are penalized for strength, courage, and innovation.
CPS has barred Tim King from entering a CPS property; however, he is not guilty of a criminal act. The Black community cannot afford to lose his brilliance as an educator. I always thought about what would happen if he was the CEO of CPS. What would a city-wide King administration look like? I still think about it.
Educating Black men is hard, and so many preventive societal vices exist. Tim is a hero in my book. I don’t know his personal life, but his professional life is stellar. He brought a flash of brilliance and innovation to high schoolers, and it worked. It was successful, and now some vicious operatives are trying to tear him down. He is working diligently to clear his name.
I hope the mothers who saw their boys’ lives transformed will stand up and say in unison, “Oh hell no.” They all have stories about how his single focus prepared their boys for successful living. We as a community need to stand with Tim King in some way at this time of challenge.
The truth be told, America has a problem with Black success. The Black male attack occurs at every level.
Stay woke.
