The name they chose was June Jordan. The poet, teacher and activist who placed so much faith in young people was being honored, in turn, by those in whom she had so much faith. In August, 2004, at the welcoming assembly for the second class of students, the school was officially named the “June Jordan School for Equity.” Students, their families and teachers, members of the San Francisco School Board and friends of June living in the Bay Area all attended the naming ceremony, held in the school auditorium. Adrienne Torf, June’s long-time collaborator, introduced a short film of June speaking and reading, that had been compiled by June’s close friend, the filmmaker Charlotte Lagarde. Junichi Semitsu, June’s chosen successor as Director of Poetry for the People, and a dozen or so of the Poetry for the People student-teacher-poets read some of June’s poetry. To the delight of everyone, they were joined by Carmen Lo, one of the June Jordan School’s own brave young poets. Poetry for the People’s guideline of “each one, teach one” came to life for all in attendance that evening.
The June Jordan School for Equity (JJSE) is now in its second school year with 180 ninth and tenth graders. It will continue to grow by adding a grade each year until the June Jordan School for Equity is a full, college-preparatory high school with 400 students. Through a unique partnership, the 11th and 12th-grade students will be able to attend classes at San Francisco State University. The founding class of the June Jordan School for Equity will graduate in 2007.
Small Schools for Equity (SSE) continues to provide critical support, expertise and advocacy for this new school, while developing a model for high-performing, small, secondary schools within the San Francisco Unified School District. Support for the June Jordan School and Small Schools for Equity, a 501(3)c organization, can be sent c/o Matt Alexander, 1700 46th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112.
~Adrienne Torf
Adrienne Torf is a composer & keyboard artist whose collaboration with June Jordan produced a rich body of work, including Bang Bang Uber Alles, a full-length stage musical; Freedom Now Suite, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commissioned for the first NYC celebration of King’s birthday as a national holiday; and dozens of pieces which they performed as a duo in poetry venues and on campuses across the country.
