You can do it too and you can do it better than me…”
Dr. Steve Perry, the famed Connecticut principal from CNN’s “Black In America 2” and former interviewee with HipHopWired.com, sat down with Pharrell Williams to talk about America’s flawed education system.
Dr. Perry got a chance to have an intimate convo with Pharrell to discuss the Grammy winning producer’s thoughts on music’s responsibility for the classroom.
When asked by Perry why he think it’s important to discuss music’s influence in school he responds,
“At some point you start to feel like you’re held accountable and I’m by no means saying that entertainers should raise other people’s children, it personally does something to me because that’s my whole mantra. You can do anything you wanna do, wealth is of the heart and the mind, not of the pocket…”
Pharrell also revealed how his high school band teacher changed his life by keeping him on track.
“Alan Sharkes changed my life, he was my band teacher in high school…..He wouldn’t let me stay in class if I didn’t keep my grades up……. he will tell you I was out there in the summertime, 9 a.m. in hot sweltering Virginia heat…..warming up for summer camp. “
Unbeknownst to many, Skateboard P is plotting to open a school for youth struggling to deal with the hardships of everyday life. According to Williams, it will be a place where they can feel safe despite their economic background and interests.
“It’s a place where you don’t have to feel funny based on what your parents make. It’s a place where you don’t have to feel funny based on…..what your propensities might be in life, what you’re into. You don’t have to feel funny about that….If anything this place welcomes your imagination….I just think it’s about education. Give people the tools and they will carve their way out of it….”
If missed them before, check out our part 1 and part 2 of our interview with Dr. Steve Perry; the man responsible for Capital Prep Academy’s 100% graduation rate, and see him in action with Pharrell below.
