SIMS-FAYOLA FOUNDATION

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We Accept The Challenge

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.

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.

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER: A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

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.

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.

Our Mission

The Sims-Fayola Foundation's mission is to improve the life outcomes of young men and boys of color and increase the capacity of those who work with them to provide their services through an equity and gender specific lens.

Our Vision