Travell Wright, 18, is a graduate of Cedar Rapids Washington High School and also White’s grandson. He spent four summers at The Academy and heard many of the lessons from his grandmother growing up.
He is going to the University of Iowa this fall to study engineering.
In his years at The Academy, Wright became “more aware” of who he is and the ways he has to be more careful in this world than his white peers, he said.
“There’s always that danger of me being spotted as someone who is up to no good or seem like the type of person who would cause more trouble,” Wright said.
Even so, Wright is hopeful for the future.
He is “adamant” about police reform and critical race theory being taught in schools so “history doesn’t repeat itself.”
Cedar Rapids-based academy teaches Black history, literature, math and science and has a postsecondary seminar to help students prepare for college: Aug. 9, 2021
Travell Wright, 18, is a graduate of Cedar Rapids Washington High School and also White’s grandson. He spent four summers at The Academy and heard many of the lessons from his grandmother growing up.
He is going to the University of Iowa this fall to study engineering.
In his years at The Academy, Wright became “more aware” of who he is and the ways he has to be more careful in this world than his white peers, he said.
“There’s always that danger of me being spotted as someone who is up to no good or seem like the type of person who would cause more trouble,” Wright said.
Even so, Wright is hopeful for the future.
He is “adamant” about police reform and critical race theory being taught in schools so “history doesn’t repeat itself.”