With Club 2012, black parents work together to fight achievement gap

In Loudoun County, a group of African American parents banded together in middle school to keep their kids on track academically. This week Club 2012 celebrated its achievements.

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Members of Club 2012 pose together with their parents and friends after graduation ceremonies in Leesburg. Club 2012 started when the boys were in middle school and eventually grew to include girls. The club encourages African American students to excel in school as well as in athletics.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Alden Carpenter, whose mother helped start Club 2012, graduates with honors from Tuscarora High School in Leesburg.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

From left, John Johnson, Alden Carpenter, Saed Davis, Christopher Holoman, Isaac Cook and Cameron Molina are sixth-grade members of Club 2012 at Eagle Ridge Middle School.

/ Club 2012

From right, Dillon Cromwell, Isaac Cook, Cameron Molina, Saed Davis, Jared Cromwell, John Johnson, Alden Carpenter and Jamal Hill, kneeling, touch a Heisman Trophy while visiting Penn State University.

/ Club 2012

On the way to Homecoming, from left, Isaac Cook, John Johnson and Christopher Holoman.

/ Leo Dyce

Former Redskin Rick "Doc" Walker squeezes between Gladine Wilson, left, and Arie Carpenter, both grandmothers of Alden Carpenter, before giving the Tuscarora High School commencement address, where he applauded the idea behind Club 2012.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Carl Mitchell keeps his eyes peeled for action as his daughter, Janai, one of the Club 2012 members, graduates from Tuscarora High School.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Club 2012 member Cameron Molina decorated his mortar board with Columbia University's mascot. He will play football there in the fall.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

A Tuscarora grad folds his hands on his diploma after crossing the stage.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Alden Carpenter, center, and other members of the first graduation class of Tuscarora High School toss their mortar boards into the air after the completion of the commencement ceremony held in the school's gym.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

As part of Club 2012 and the first graduating class of Tuscarora High School, Cameron Molina gives a classmate a hug after the ceremony.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

After the very first graduation of Tuscarora High School seniors, Alden Carpenter celebrates by blowing bubbles after picking up his diploma. In 2007, his mother and fellow parents formed Club 2012, with about 15 boys, including nearly every African American male at Eagle Ridge Middle School.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Amid bubbles Chris Holoman embraces another graduate after Tuscarora High School's first ever graduation.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Members of Club 2012 pose together for their parents and friends after graduation ceremonies in Leesburg. From left are Isaac Cook, (blocked is John Johnson V) Chris Holoman, Jared Cromwell, Janai Mitchell, Cameron Molina, Karissa Love, Gozi Mickles and Alden Carpenter.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

After graduation ceremonies at Tuscarora High School, Alden Carpenter talks with his kindergarten teacher, Margaret Harris.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

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