#NNPA BlackPress

Meet Karen Calloway: Kenwood’s Golden Apple Award-Winning Principal

For Mother’s Day weekend, the Chicago Defender shares stories of dynamic Black women thriving in their careers and providing loving guidance for their families. Kenwood Academy High School Principal Karen Calloway had yet to learn that a Friday morning event would be about her. When she took the stage at the school’s auditorium, she planned […]
The post Meet Karen Calloway: Kenwood’s Golden Apple Award-Winning Principal first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2023

Chicago Defender Staff

Kenwood Academy Principal Karen Calloway surprised with Golden Apple Award.

For Mother’s Day weekend, the Chicago Defender shares stories of dynamic Black women thriving in their careers and providing loving guidance for their families.

Kenwood Academy High School Principal Karen Calloway had yet to learn that a Friday morning event would be about her.

When she took the stage at the school’s auditorium, she planned to celebrate the success of her senior class. They were approaching $70 million in earned scholarships, a school record.

But minutes into the program, as a student was about to share her Kenwood experience at the podium, Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and Alan Mather, president of the Golden Apple Foundation, stormed the stage. They surprised Calloway with the Stanley C. Golder Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership.

The mostly packed-out auditorium of students, supporters and friends roared as their principal embraced Lt. Gov. Stratton, Mather, CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez and Kenwood students and staff and family and friends.

A crowd of students, faculty, staff and friends gathered to cheer Kenwood Academy Principal Karen Calloway, recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership.

Even, the school’s choir and drum line, assembled upstage, erupted in song.

“Principal Calloway listens to you, she listens to faculty, she listens to staff, she listens to students, and she builds a beautiful, beautiful place for all of you to learn, to love and to grow,” said Mather as he addressed the crowd.

Calloway was selected from a pool of 130 Pre-K through 12th-grade academic leaders across Illinois. Her recognition as a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership recipient means she “had a significant and sustained positive impact on the school, created a culture of inclusivity, and delivered dramatic student growth,” according to a release by the Golden Apple Foundation.

Calloway also receives a $10,000 cash award, with $5,000 for her and the other $5,000 to Kenwood Academy for a project of her choosing.

“This was extremely kind,” said Calloway after the event. “And I really, really appreciate it. And I feel very honored and humbled to be a Stanley Golder Leadership Award recipient.”

“Mr. Golder has such an amazing vision for providing access to all students across the country,” she said. “It’s a great honor to be able to receive this award this year.”

As the recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership, Karen Calloway receives a check.

For Calloway, Friday’s surprise award was the culmination of the work she has been doing at Kenwood since she started at the high school in 2001 as a counselor. Since then she has served as the school’s counseling department chair, assistant principal and now principal.

Also, receiving this prestigious honor on Mother’s Day Weekend has a special significance for her.

“It’s exciting to know that I’ve been a mom to my own son and also to many of the students as well,” Calloway said. “So I think being celebrated on Mother’s Day and receiving this award just makes it all the more special.”

But even then, not too long after receiving her award, Calloway focused on her students, who are, in her words, “the secret sauce” of the whole deal.

“My job is to make our world better one student at a time, and believing in every student, setting high expectations for every student, and always supporting them all the way through adulthood,” she said.

What motivates her as a principal and academic leader is helping people develop and achieve personal greatness, whether it’s her students or adult colleagues. For her, it’s a reward with invaluable and substantial benefits.

“My ‘why’ is that when I leave, I want to be able to say, ‘Hey, I did my job.’ I did what I could to make our world a better place.”

The post Meet Karen Calloway: Kenwood’s Golden Apple Award-Winning Principal appeared first on Chicago Defender.

The post Meet Karen Calloway: Kenwood’s Golden Apple Award-Winning Principal first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Chicago Defender Staff

Posts by Chicago Defender Staff

Up Next

Lori Lightfoot Says Farewell as Chicago Mayor

Don't Miss

Addressing the Real Need in Real Time

Chicago Defender Staff

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org