The Great Educator

Just moments ago, I left Mount Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Conn. The church hosted an inspiring event with multiple guest speakers, one of whom happened to be Dr. Steve Perry himself.

If you watched CNN’s Black in America 2, you know a thing or two about this gentleman.



Dr. Perry, or the Great Educator, as I am now dubbing him, is the principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Conn. His high school has a one-hundred percent success rate. In other words, every child—yes, every child—who attends his high school not only graduates, but also goes on to matriculate at a four-year college. How’s that for a success story!

“Our strategy is simple,” said Dr. Perry, to an audience filled with men, both young and old. “We work harder, we have higher expectations, and we use words like ‘love.’”

When I first saw Dr. Perry appear on CNN, I couldn’t help but notice his passion—the way he spoke about the American education system, how it needs fixing, and the future of our children. Now that I have had the honor of meeting him in person, I can testify to you that he’s the real deal. Plus, he’s at least three times as energized and as fired up as he appears on TV. Can you imagine?

I’m glad I visited Mount Aery Baptist Church tonight. There, I ran into some familiar faces and crossed paths with a friendly Bridgeport congregation.

Oh yes! Their pastor, Rev. Dr. Anthony L. Bennett, is a Morehouse Man, too.

I had to get that one in!