Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Crane. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Jeremy aka “The Challenger,” was born and raised in College Park, GA and has returned back to his hometown to help rebuild communities through Financial Education and Entrepreneurship programs. He graduated from Fort Valley State University with honors and immediately joined the teaching force after undergrad.
After 15 years in the private and public school sector, Jeremy has started his own non-profit organization, Lives Matter Period, Inc., which is focused on Financial Education, Social Emotional Learning, and Teacher Development.
Lives Matter Period (LMP) started as a rallying cry amid the social unrest of the unforgettable year of 2020.
Now, it is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a dual mission: 1) that focuses on innovative Financial Education and Generational Wealth methodologies to implement and demonstrate in public school classrooms by way of transitional programming from middle school to high school: The Practice 1911; and 2) to create robust teacher pipelines for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and local public-school systems: The Sword 1911.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No. I was a black student at a predominately white independent/private high school where my eyes were opened to the inequities that pervade the educational landscape across the spectrum. Exposure at such young age to the sting of implicit bias from the majority population is what led to my affection for the security and haven Historically Black Colleges and Universities provide for students of color. I took my talents to Fort Valley State University to continue my academic and athletic career.
Upon acquiring my Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, as a first generation college graduate, I did not realize how much of an accomplishment finishing school was until I was blessed with the opportunity to serve as the Program Director for the Breakthrough Atlanta program at The Lovett School. Breakthrough Atlanta’s mission focuses on students with educational similar to mine. This is where my passion for education and passion for my community met. This is also where I learned that I was replaceable. After 10 years of dedicated service at The Lovett School, I was swiftly fired and replaced with no real explanation.
On what felt like rock bottom and looked like a loss, I actually built on and embraced as an opportunity to continue the work I was doing in the community by way of Breakthrough Atlanta. Now, I am more driven than ever to do the work that needs to be done for our community and by our community.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lives Matter Period, Inc.?
After spending the last decade serving in educational leadership, I have started multiple businesses and non-profit organizations that are primarily focused on Financial Education, Entrepreneurship for students K-12, and Community Engagement.
Now, you can find me implementing Video Game curricula, Social-Emotional Learning simulations, and motivational speaking in Atlanta metropolitan public schools. I’m also leading the charge to create teacher pipeline programs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Prayer/Meditation is fundamental. Develop mental wellness tools. Evaluate all relationships and prioritize accordingly. Create/define personal boundaries for friends and family. Set goals and choose an accountability partner. Choose a good therapist. Learn your strengths and weaknesses.
Learn your personality traits. Relearn health and wellness all over again.
Contact Info:
- Email: livesmatterperiod@gmail.com
- Website: www.livesmatterperiod.org
- Instagram: lives_matter_period
