Ember Charter School Network Celebrates 2024 Graduates

(Brooklyn, N.Y.) — On Friday, June 28, 2024, New York City Public Schools Chancellor David C. Banks addressed Ember Charter Schools’ 45 middle and high school graduates at its 2024 graduation ceremony. The speech by Chancellor Banks, a Brooklyn native, focused on themes of community, purpose, and the uniqueness of each student. Drawing on inspirational anecdotes about Muhammad Ali, he encouraged students to stand up for their beliefs and be resilient. The celebratory graduation was followed by a cookout with free food, games, and music, open to all in the community.

Excerpts from Chancellor Banks’ speech:

"What makes this school more unique than any other school in New York City is how much you make an investment in understanding about your history and understanding that you stand on the shoulders of people who fought, bled, died, and sacrificed for you to be where you are today."

"You already have inside of you everything you need to be wildly successful and to make this world a much better place. Don't ever forget who you are, and ‘whose’ you are. You belong to this entire community."

"You need to practice a spirit of gratitude. None of you got here by yourself. You have people here who are feeding you, putting a roof over your head, and praying for you. You belong to these people here. You belong to all of us and you are our ancestors’ wildest dreams. We need you to go from this place and find a magnificence and purpose for your life. You need to ask yourself every single day 'Why am I here' and 'What am I supposed to do with my life?'"

"It's not just about a job that you're going to get. It's about why were you born in the first place? What are you supposed to bring to this world? So always be in pursuit of that. And keep good friends around you -- people who are going to pour blessings into your life."

“You are going to get knocked down. It is called life. And you’re not just going to get knocked down once, you’re going to get knocked down many times. There are going to be all kinds of things that are going to come at you later on in life that you’re not even thinking about right now, but you must have a voice inside of you that says, ‘I’m a champion. I’m uniquely created. I’m not supposed to be on the ground. That’s not my destiny.’ And you get up, you dust yourself off, and you keep pushing through. Our country needs you. Our community needs you. You’re the absolute best we have.”

Ninety percent of Ember’s high school class of 2024 graduated, and 90% have been accepted into colleges – all of whom have received academic scholarships. One-third of the high school class of 2024 graduated a full year early and all of them have received academic scholarships as well.

“We were immensely proud to honor our graduates at this year’s ceremony — and there was so much to celebrate about this year’s class. Both inside and outside of the classroom, these scholars have demonstrated their commitment to excellence. I know that our middle schoolers will continue to strive for greatness at Ember next year, and that our high school graduates will excel in college and beyond,” said Rafiq Kalam Id-Din, founder and managing partner of Ember Charter Schools.

During the ceremony, Ember's valedictorian Makola Nkita-Mayala received a certificate of congressional recognition for outstanding achievement and excellence from Congressman Hakeem Jeffries' office. Nkita-Mayala graduated a full year early and will attend the Berklee College of Music on a full tuition scholarship in the fall. An Ember student since 3rd grade, he produced an album earlier this year called “Resolute” that he released across multiple streaming platforms:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/makola/1729034193

“Growing up in Brooklyn, we have seen the beauty and the struggle of our community. We have witnessed the resilience of our people, who, despite the odds, continue to rise. Our Black-led high school has been a sanctuary, a place where our cultural attributes were written into the uniform policy where our ancestors are celebrated, where our history is honored, and where our future is nurtured,” said Ember Charter Schools’ valedictorian Makola Nkita-Mayala in his speech. “As we step into the next chapter of our lives, let us carry the lessons we have learned with us. We are the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers.”

Ember is finalizing construction on a new space for its high school, located on two floors of a coworking building in DUMBO. Opening this fall, the space has been designed as a coworking space to inspire students to view their lives and careers from the perspective of entrepreneurs, in alignment with Ember’s values and approach to student learning and growth.