Dr. Edward L. Jones
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ed is the Chief Vision Caster, establishing a vision for community impact that is achieved through the efforts of a diverse team of high-performing leaders, staff and volunteers alike; the Chief Mobilizer, leveraging the power of relationships and networks, and working across private, public and corporate sectors to improve conditions in the community; and the Chief Overseer, dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good – creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies for broad investment and impact.
An ordained minister in the Baptist tradition, Ed has a particular passion for social justice issues. This passion coupled with his many years of experience as a teacher and teacher educator has strengthened his commitment to community building through education. Ed believes that the number one priority in any community should be the proper education of its children and that, as a result, a viable community will not only thrive but be sustained.
Ed received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum, Teaching & Educational Policy from Michigan State University, the Master of Science degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University, and the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Alabama A&M University.
Charles Austin
Dean of Schools & Director of Freedom Schools® Operations
Charles serves as Dean of Schools for Harambee Academy and Director of Freedom Schools® Operations. In these capacities, he is the chief administrator of the Academy responsible for the general administration of all instructional, business, and other operations of the Academy, including implementation and operations of the CDF Freedom Schools® program for HNUSR.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Charles passion for education has been fueled by his own history of growing up and bouncing from one homeless shelter to another. It was through the help of amazing and passionate teachers that he found the strength to deal with the many obstacles in his life. These teachers helped him to realize education as the great equalizer in life and spurred his passion for educating youth, particularly those deeply entrenched in the challenges of life.
Charles holds the Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, in Elementary Education from Alabama A&M University and is currently pursuing the Master of Education degree in Instructional Leadership.
Favorite Quote:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”- Dr. Seuss.
Tyler Pearson
Social Media Manager & Community Development Officer
As Social Media Manager, Tyler is responsible for developing strategies to increase the fan base on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by outlining a campaign calendar and conceptualizing tactics to increase audience participation. He actively engages followers in a dialogue in an effort to transform visitors into advocates for the HNUSR brand. In addition, Tyler serves as our Community Development Officer where he identifies urban communities and establishes close ties with neighborhood development boards.
Tyler has worked with the HNUSR since its inception. He has a love for community service and has devoted his life to assisting organizations engaged in such work. Tyler has served with the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) through the AmeriCorps VISTA program and is a true servant leader who is particularly passionate about neighborhood revitalization and communicating that message of community uplift and development to a broad audience of current and potential supporters.
Tyler received the Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Planning from Alabama A&M University.
We focus on the Opportunity Zone (green shaded area) where 90% of the funds in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) must be spent. The Madison County Opportunity Zone has the following characteristics:
The Madison County Opportunity Zone encompasses 10 census tracts: 2.01, 2.02, 13.01, 14.02, 15, 21, 25.01, 30, 31, and 106.22.
We also focus our solutions on 11 other low-income census tracts in north Huntsville not included in the Opportunity Zone (pink shaded area). This area has the following characteristics:
The census tracts represented in this area are 3.01, 3.02, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 6.01, 6.02, 7.01, 7.02, 12, and 13.02
The entire HNUSR Zone covers 41.66 square miles.
MEMBERS WE HAVE
PEOPLE IMPACTED
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED
TOTAL VOLUNTEERS
Parents and family members are the most important partners in their children’s education. The CDF Freedom Schools program offers parents and family members the support and skills they need to help their children succeed. Caregivers are required to demonstrate their commitment to the program and to their children’s education and development by becoming actively involved in the daily CDF Freedom Schools activities. Parents, family members and community members are invited to serve as read aloud guests during Harambee; assist in the classroom, on the playground and during meals; plan and chaperone field trips; and support the children’s social action and community service projects. Family members also participate in weekly workshops where they learn about the educational and social development of children and gain the necessary skills to empower themselves and their families to succeed.
The social action and civic engagement component of the CDF Freedom Schools model teaches youth to engage in community service and social justice advocacy. Children learn to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they become more responsible members of their communities. Servant leader interns encourage the children not only to explore the problems facing their communities, but also to become active in working toward solutions.
Each year, thousands of children and teens from CDF Freedom Schools sites nationwide participate in CDF Freedom Schools National Day of Social Action. Participants take part in a variety of actions including visiting and writing letters to elected officials, joining together for marches and rallies and other public education activities. Children learn that they are not citizens in waiting but can make a difference right now.
The CDF Freedom Schools® program is a servant leadership incubator for two generations – the children served and the college students and recent graduates who teach and serve them. Training coordinated by the CDF Freedom Schools national office prepares the young adults to provide an enriching experience for the children they serve. The Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute promotes principles of servant leadership by fostering an understanding of the connection between effective programs and public policy, and the importance of community development, political advocacy, and coalition building. The strong ethic of service is evident across generations, as community leaders support these servant leaders while they teach and mentor the younger children.
The CDF Freedom Schools programs will provide two nutritious meals and a snack each day the program is in operation. These meals meet USDA nutrition standards. CDF Freedom Schools programs serving distressed children and families will also incorporate therapeutic interventions and health and mental health services. The Ella Baker Child Policy and Training Institute promotes principles of personal responsibility and the development of healthy lifestyle choices.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, PARTNERSHIPS AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES
HNUSR builds meaningful relationships and partnerships within the community that strengthen our collective commitment to children and lead to sustainable change.