APRIL 2025 NEWSLETTER

Several 3rd and 4th graders were selected by our partners at Art For The Journey to participate in a special community event at St. Stephen's Church, connecting students with seniors from St. Mary's Woods and Marywood. Our Lions were full of pride as they discovered their artistic creations framed and displayed with care on the walls of the Cafe @ St. Stephen's.

The St. Stephen's community has been by our side since the thought of an independent school on the East End came to light, all the way back in 2009. We're always happy to deepen our partnership with the folks who have believed in our mission of love, education, and uplift -- from day one.

Each year, we honor the life and legacy of Gordon Wallace, Jr.—a founding board member whose vision, generosity, and steadfast belief in our mission helped shape Anna Julia Cooper School from the very beginning. Since his passing in May 2021, this day has become a tradition of giving back to our community in ways that reflect Gordon’s spirit, and an opportunity to grow support for our Endowment Fund, created in his honor.

In the afternoon, our middle school students jumped right in to several service projects:

The day concluded with a special Chapel service to honor Gordon and his family, led by Rev. Becky McDaniel, featuring a moving performance of Way Maker by 3rd graders Kennedy Cobb and Marchae Washington, a heartfelt message by Katye Snipes, and reflections inspired by Gordon's Prayer from students Zy’Quis, Zyanae, A’Aniyree, and Kyrei. Thank you to those who contributed to our Gordon Wallace Endowment Fund, together we raised over $100,000 to support our mission for years to come.

Lord, make us thankful for these and all our many blessings: 

Thank you for LOVE,  that we can accept each other; 

Thank you for love that we can accept each other; staying safe and believing in ourselves, treating others how we want to be treated. -Zy’Quis W.

Thank you for SRENGTH, that we can help each other; 

Thank you for strength, that we can help each other when times are hard.  Thank you for lifting me up to do my work even though it is hard. -Zyanae B.

Thank you for WISDOM, that we can understand each other; 

Thank you for wisdom, as it helps us see where people are coming from. Thank you for wisdom as it brings questions to the table. - ZyQuis W.

Thank you for FAITH, that we can hang in there until things get better. 

Thank you for faith, and the encouragement to go through our day. Thank you for faith and the hope we have gotten to follow our dreams. - Kyrei W.

Amen.

Last Thursday, our 4th graders took the stage at the Dominion Energy Center as part of Minds In Motion, a Richmond Ballet program that brings dance to students across the city. Alongside kids from several schools, AJC students delivered an energetic and uplifting performance that combined history, dance, and pure joy. 

Ms. Johnson’s class had been preparing all year, with visits from Minds In Motion coaches who led students through choreography and rhythm exercises each week. They showed a ton of courage up there on stage, and AJC families showed up big to celebrate their performers.

The Minds in Motion program gives children an opportunity to discover talents, grow in confidence, connection, and a deeper understanding of themselves and each other. Last week, that growth was on full display. It was a real treat to witness kids stepping into their talent on stage and receiving a roar of encouragement from the crowd. Bravo to our 4th grade dancers, Minds in Motion, and the Richmond Ballet for bringing this uplifting performance to life. You shined!

Our annual Career Day showed students they can aim high -- the sky's the limit! Big thanks to our Curriculum Director, Susan Barstow, for coordinating a fantastic morning of career exploration and to the volunteers who took time out of their busy lives to bring so many job opportunities to life. 

Students spent the morning rotating through 30-minute sessions, taking notes as they went along. Check out the fantastic variety of careers represented during this exciting day:

Presenters brought their A-game with plenty of hands-on exploration, engaging discussions, and time for questions. Several remarked on how impressed they were by the students' curiosity and thoughtful questions.

"One of the 6th graders really blew me away—he had a design suggestion that was right on the mark. You could see the wheels turning, and I thought, this kid is meant to be an engineer."

-Jeff Morley

Soccer, Track, Flag Football in Full Swing

Track, Soccer, and our first ever Girls' Flag Football season are in full swing. Come out to cheer us on, our Lions love spotting you on the sidelines! The schedule below is posted on our calendar, so be sure to check back to confirm locations and times.

May 2: Soccer Match, 4pm @ Sabot & Flag Football, 6pm @ Pine Camp Comm. Center

 May 7: Track Meet, 3pm @ Benedictine

May 9: Flag Football, 6pm @ Pine Camp Comm. Center

May 16: Flag Football, 6pm @ St. Chris

May 30: Flag Football, 6pm @ St. Chris

Dominique, a member of AJC’s 3rd class back in 2012, recently returned to campus to share his story (and struggles) with students.

Reflecting on his time at AJC, he spoke candidly about living between two worlds—the care and consistency he experienced at school, and the chaos that often surrounded him at home. “Honestly, it was like living a double life,” he said. “I let myself get distracted.” Just days out of prison, Dominique stood before our students not with shame, but with gratitude—for the support he says never wavered from AJC, even when he struggled to accept it.

"No matter how hard I tried to push them away,” he told students, “they stayed by my side to this day - for twelve years. Nothing compares to the love you get here at AJC."

The first night we got there no one could sleep. 

We weren’t used to having silence at night.

In our old neighborhood,

we could hear girlfriends yelling at 

their boyfriends, moms yelling 

at their kids, people getting killed and 

the ambulance to their rescue.

For most people you would think that it’s 

nice to have peace and quiet.

And it is, but it’s something we weren’t 

rewarded back then. 

In those project apartments the 

walls were so thin that it seemed like 

we were in the same room

as our neighbors. 

Plus they didn’t bother to respect us. 

I could hear the loud music and 

feel the hardcore bass, filling and shaking 

the house. Outside, their big dogs barking, 

with a thin leash tied to a pole and no supervision

Gunshots sounded so loud and near us 

that it became a routine to 

lay on the floor, away from the windows. 

As I laid on the floor, I could feel 

my scalp, partings, and twists 

touching the cold tile floor.

After a couple of years of tears, panic attacks, 

hugs, sunsets and frowns, we finally 

moved away from the place we couldn’t stand,

to a house where we couldn’t sleep.

Shout out to 7th & 8th grades for achieving PERFECT attendance.  We know that's not easy! Teamwork makes the dream work, so every 7th and 8th grader received a dress down ticket this week.

A LOOK AHEAD

May 3: Spring Bash, 12:00–3:00 PM

May  26: Closed for Memorial Day

May 30: Last day for all students, End of year assemblies for K-7

June 2: 8th Grade Graduation

Want to get involved? There are many ways to support our students.

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