Contributed Photo
Principal Mia Duff with Johnny Dye at Friday’s Black History Month ceremony.
Clemente Leadership Academy capped off Black History Month with a living example of New Haven’s Black history, Johnny Dye.
Dye, an 80-year-old Pratt & Whitney retiree, has been a leading grassroots voice in the Hill neighborhood for decades. He has led a ward committee, a management team, a block watch, and generally represented the voice of his neighbors in the crafting of public decisions affecting their lives.
He has earned many awards along the way. Friday he earned his latest: Clemente’s Black History Leadership Award.
Hill police officers, for whom he is an invaluable neighborhood partner, helped escort Dye to the school for the ceremony, which included dance, song and poetry.
Dye spoke with students in the classroom as well as online. So did Principal Mia Duff.
Click above to watch highlights of the Black History components of the program …
… above to watch some student presentations …
… above to watch Principal Duff and some of her students in a dance performance …
… click here for a previous article about Dye’s lifetime of public service in the Hill.
Mr. Dye is truly amazing. He can't be stopped. Kudos to Principal Duff for recognizing a pillar in the Hill community! I hope Mr. Dye continues his great work and that the staff and students maintain the inspiration to progress his vision!