Accepting The Challenge
We Accept The Challenge
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We are all aware of the myriad of dismal statistics that are associated with young men and boys of color as it relates to life outcomes and school success. The stubbornly persistent narrative for this population has been:
* Low graduation rates. * High drop out rates. * High incarceration rates (School-To-Prison Pipeline). * Low college attrition. * Disproportionally high suspension and expulsion rates. |
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The Sims-Fayola Foundation was launched in 2014 to help change this narrative. We boldly accept the challenge to improve the lives of young men and boys of color by addressing the obstacles (educational and community) that directly affect their life outcomes. We use original programming and awareness campaigns, partner with established community foundations and organizations, and individual schools and districts to address these stubbornly persistent issues for urban males. Our desired outcome is to provide direction, education, guidance, resources, direct support, and ultimately relief in these areas so the futures of these young men look like their dreams.
Our Story
Sims-Fayola Foundation (SFF) was founded in 2014 by Dedrick Sims, a Denver-area educator, school leader, and educational architect whose life experiences and professional expertise led to SFF’s founding. Recognizing the complex challenges facing young men and boys of color around the country, the SFF aims to fill a significant need in many urban areas focusing initially on the Denver metro area, but having now expanded our impact to other regions of the country ( Ohio, Michigan, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia). SFF’s early stages focused on developing vision and strategy, developing and delivering programming in schools, and developing and providing equity workshops for educators and advocates working with young men and boys of color grounded in the foundation’s three pillars: Building Awareness, Building Capacity, and School Design and Support. As we move into the next five years of our strategic plan our primary goal is to continue to develop a comprehensive strategy to change young men and boys of color’s life trajectories and address barriers inhibiting their success through direct programming for the young men, but also through increasing our focus on creating intentional spaces for those who work with them to engage in the hard work of equity and ultimately increase their capacity to do their work. The Sims-Fayola Foundation Equity Academy is the first initiative as a result of that intention and we are working on our design model for another initiative called Voices For Impact. You can read more about Voices for Impact and the Equity Academy on our "Services" page.
In SFF’s brief history, the organization has established a diverse board of directors, formalized collaborative relationships with numerous significant community partners, developed and implemented evidence-informed programming, held educational and community-building events, and leveraged website and social media tools to promote its vision and raise awareness. SFF continues to build capacity through fundraising, staffing, operational improvements and internal assessments. Some of our community partnerships have been with Operation Hope, the Potter's House of Denver, Denver Center of Performing Arts, U.S. Bank, Aurora Police Department, The University of Colorado at Denver, the City and County of Denver’s My Brothers Keepers Initiative, Denver Science and Nature Museum, and the Black Child Development Institute among others.
As of August 2019, SFF had impacted over 10,000 young men and boys of color, delivered equity workshops to over 1,500 educators, mentors, non-profit leaders, law enforcement and school resource officers, and parents. In the fall of 2017, SFF led the design, development, and implementation of the charter efforts of Southeast Arkansas Preparatory High School (SAPHS). SAPHS is the first STEM high school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. SFF is currently working with design teams to support new school development in two other states as well. By partnering with schools districts and individual schools, designing and supporting new and existing schools, creating programs that address issues facing young men and boys of color, and creating workshops that increase the capacity of those who work with young men and boys of color, SFF is working hard to change the narrative and outcomes for this group of young men.
In SFF’s brief history, the organization has established a diverse board of directors, formalized collaborative relationships with numerous significant community partners, developed and implemented evidence-informed programming, held educational and community-building events, and leveraged website and social media tools to promote its vision and raise awareness. SFF continues to build capacity through fundraising, staffing, operational improvements and internal assessments. Some of our community partnerships have been with Operation Hope, the Potter's House of Denver, Denver Center of Performing Arts, U.S. Bank, Aurora Police Department, The University of Colorado at Denver, the City and County of Denver’s My Brothers Keepers Initiative, Denver Science and Nature Museum, and the Black Child Development Institute among others.
As of August 2019, SFF had impacted over 10,000 young men and boys of color, delivered equity workshops to over 1,500 educators, mentors, non-profit leaders, law enforcement and school resource officers, and parents. In the fall of 2017, SFF led the design, development, and implementation of the charter efforts of Southeast Arkansas Preparatory High School (SAPHS). SAPHS is the first STEM high school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. SFF is currently working with design teams to support new school development in two other states as well. By partnering with schools districts and individual schools, designing and supporting new and existing schools, creating programs that address issues facing young men and boys of color, and creating workshops that increase the capacity of those who work with young men and boys of color, SFF is working hard to change the narrative and outcomes for this group of young men.
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Our MissionTo improve the life outcomes of young men and boys of color and to increase the capacity of those who work with them.
Our VisionThrough original programming, professional development, and public advocacy & awareness programs, we will work with young men and boys of color, and those who work with them to improve their capacity to make their futures look like their dreams and design learning experiences that are considerate of equity and the unique experiences students of color bring to relationships.
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Our Video Narrative
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Partners and Supporters
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