Photo via: The St. Louis American
During graduation season, there’s usually always an incredible group of graduates who prove it’s never too late to go back to school. This year, we can add Lezley McSpadden, the mother of the late Michael Brown Jr., to that great list of inspiration.
McSpadden dropped out of high school during her junior year to care for her son Michael, who was unarmed and fatally shot by a Ferguson police officer in 2014. To honor her son’s memory, McSpadden decided to return to high school through the Jennings School District’s Adult Education Program. Along with Art McCoy, the superintendent of the school district, McSpadden implemented the program after her son’s untimely death to help adults earn their high school diplomas.
“I turned the conversation toward saying, I know she dropped out of school when she had Michael Brown, and that we had to get her educated and get a diploma,” McCoy said. “What better way is it to honor your son than to get the degree he got?”
Last Friday, McSpadden crossed the finish line and became the first to complete the adult high school education program. She shared the special moment with her daughter, Deja, who also graduated from Jennings High School on the same day. Deja plans to study neonatal nursing at Tennessee State University in the fall, while her mother plans to pursue a career as a certified pharmacy technician this summer.
Lezley McSpadden, mother of #MikeBrown, presents her daughter Deja Brown with her diploma as both women graduated from @JenningsK12. pic.twitter.com/XvUfYIhpE2
advertisement— Robert Cohen (@kodacohen) May 27, 2017
McSpadden, who presented her daughter with her diploma at the ceremony, said of her son Michael: “I know that he’s been my angel through this… and I know that he’s proud of me.”
Very proud. Congratulations, ladies!