It is the mission of Ford Next Generation Learning for all students to experience success in school, career, and life. It is why we continuously look for new and better ways to engage community stakeholders and leverage existing and collective strengths. Experience demonstrates that, when customized for the needs and realities of each community and applied with fidelity, Ford NGL Community-Connected Learning and the Career-Academy Model advance our shared mission of keeping students at the center of all we do.
The transformational experience that Ford NGL navigates with its communities offers helpful, real-world examples of what success looks like. While there are certainly times when the work required is difficult and challenging for the stakeholders, nothing brings satisfaction and assurances like hearing about the success of one of our students. One such story is that of Ian Dinkins of Nashville, Tennessee. It is not only a story of success, but also a journey that has brought Ian full circle.
Ian began his education at Eakin Elementary. There he experienced a tight-knit community where parent involvement was encouraged in a positive and healthy way. At home, education held significant importance within the family, and his father, Judge Richard Dinkins, played a critical role in settling Nashville’s desegregation cases and underscored the value he placed on learning and education. After attending Eakin Elementary, Ian moved on to attend West End Middle School. Then in 2009, he became a student at Hillsboro High School. Once again, Ian found himself part of a community where everyone knew and cared for each other, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Hillsboro turned out to be quite a bit different from what one might expect from a traditional high school. Metro Nashville Public Schools made a significant shift from the old ways of teaching and learning to the adoption of an academy system. Leadership was firmly behind it, but there remained uncertainty by some in the community about the change. What was significant was the fact that the academies offered a variety of pathway choices including communication and information sciences, global health, business, and the International Baccalaureate program. These options opened up new and interest-centered opportunities for students.
Ian decided to join the Academy of International Business and Communications at Hillsboro High School. His choice was influenced by the prospect of working with new technology. It was a field with which he was unfamiliar, but he found the possibilities intriguing. Not only was it interesting, but it was a chance for him to learn and grow. The communications track at Hillsboro was not large, so it afforded Ian an opportunity to stand out and take on leadership roles. He likened his experience to being a “big fish in a small pond,” where he could fully engage and develop his abilities. From the beginning, Ian’s teacher encouraged students to explore their interests and talents, giving them the freedom to choose their roles within projects. This autonomy allowed Ian and his classmates to discover their strengths and passions, whether it was editing videos or being on-air talent. But beyond just acquiring technical skills, Ian learned the importance of teamwork and gained a greater appreciation for the unique contributions of each team member.
A former teacher, Becky Pendergrass, described Ian this way. “Ian Dinkins was a remarkable student, not just in my class, but as a representative of our academy and our school. From the beginning, he demonstrated a keen interest in all aspects of communication, from public speaking to media production. What truly set Ian apart was his proactive approach to learning. He was always eager to take on new challenges and sought opportunities to expand his knowledge beyond the classroom. Ian’s leadership skills were evident early on. He often took the initiative in group projects and always went out of his way to make sure everyone’s voice was heard. Truly, his ability to balance assertiveness with empathy made him a natural leader and earned the respect of his peers.”
“One of the most notable aspects of Ian’s journey at Hillsboro High School was his leadership role within our school television station, Burro (the school mascot) TV. Ian played a critical role in establishing and growing Burro TV (which also aired for the entire city to watch on a local public broadcast channel), and he was so great at mobilizing the other students to create high-quality content. He was instrumental in ensuring that everyone met deadlines, which was no small feat considering the various projects and tight schedules involved. Ian also consistently generated excellent story ideas, which kept the content fresh and engaging. At one point, we had to stop broadcasting our content that was looped on the televisions in the school hallways during class time, because students would skip class to go watch our shows!”
However, Ian’s experience was not without challenges. Unlike some of the other academies, the Academy of International Business and Communications Academy did not have as many external partnerships or visits from the business community. Yet, Ian saw this as a challenge rather than a setback. He felt compelled to bridge the gap and expose his peers to the opportunities in the industry. With those leadership traits and a hunger to learn, it is no wonder Ian sought out and was chosen to be an academy ambassador.
His interest in the role stemmed from a natural inclination towards community involvement and a desire to gain experience in a community-facing role. Ian saw it as an opportunity to contribute positively to his school and develop skills that would benefit him in the future. As an ambassador, Ian’s responsibilities included giving tours, speaking at assemblies, and promoting the program to prospective students and community members. Through this role, he not only developed an appreciation for the ins and outs of public speaking, but he gained insights into branding and the importance of a well-crafted presentation. He also learned about the power of effective storytelling, a skill that would prove invaluable in his future endeavors. Overall, the ambassador experience provided numerous opportunities for Ian to hone his leadership and communication skills and develop a deeper respect for the community engagement process.
Ian’s community engagement extended beyond the school walls. In our talk with him, he highlighted how the larger community, including businesses and individuals, supported the career academy’s endeavors. For instance, he mentioned a friend who was a talented basketball player from a different academy. Ian recalled, “She allowed my communications team to profile her, giving them the opportunity to practice interviewing, recording, and editing. In return, she gained exposure and experienced being under the spotlight, contributing to a mutually beneficial exchange between various parts of the school community.” Reflecting on his broader understanding of community, Ian emphasized, “It is important to provide support during both challenging and celebratory times. Community is not only those people right around you, but it is also the networks and relationships that sustain us through various life experiences.”
After graduating from Hillsboro High School, Ian attended the University of Alabama, studied advertising and sociology, and graduated in May 2017. In the summer prior to graduation, he landed an internship opportunity with MP&F Strategic Communications, a full-service advertising, marketing, and public relations agency in Nashville. That internship eventually led to a full-time position, and over time, Ian became an account executive. During those years, Ian came full circle and served as a volunteer at Hillsboro where he took on the role of guiding high school students, helping them understand the possibilities within the communications field. “I saw it as a chance to pay it forward — to ensure that others had the same opportunities I did. It allowed me to give back to the community that had shaped me and support students in finding their paths,” said Ian.
Ian’s journey through the Career Academy at Hillsboro High School not only shaped his skill set, but it ignited a passion for diversity and inclusion within the communications industry. As he progressed through his career, he became increasingly aware of the lack of diverse voices in the field. While at MP&F, Ian and company leaders recognized the importance of broadening the company’s horizons to reflect the diverse communities they aimed to reach. He believed that a more diverse workforce would lead to a richer exchange of ideas and better serve their clients’ needs. Ian’s advocacy for diversity was not just about business; it was about doing what he felt was morally right. His company supported him in his volunteer endeavors, recognizing the importance of community engagement and youth development. Ian’s motivation to share his experiences with younger students stemmed from a simple belief that it was the right thing to do. He wanted to demystify the world of PR and communications, which he felt was often misunderstood. At MP&F, Ian also served on the recruitment committee, where he was responsible for the intern program. Through this role, he interacted with students from various backgrounds and witnessed the underrepresentation of people of color and individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds. He knew their road to success was not a matter of qualifications or potential but rather a lack of awareness and opportunity.
Ian’s story underscores the importance of community in all its forms — family, neighborhood, school, and work. Whether it is the camaraderie of classmates, the support of teachers, or the collaboration with colleagues, communities provide the foundation for personal and professional success. His journey through the Business and Communications Career Academy underscored the importance of community, teamwork, and adaptability in both academic and professional settings. His experiences serve as a testament to the power of collaboration and engagement within educational institutions and beyond. His story also demonstrates how career academies can offer students a supportive environment where they can explore career paths, gain real-world experience, and build connections within their chosen field. Academy students like Ian have a tremendous advantage as they enter the workforce.
Ian’s story is truly one of community, the benefits of the career-academy model, and coming full circle to give back to where it all began, but this amazing story does not stop there. His journey as a volunteer in the education sector and serving on his company’s internship committee was not a planned career move. They were, however, a culmination of experiences and values. While his communications agency did not specialize in education, his time collaborating with various clients across different industries broadened his perspective and sparked a deeper interest in education. “Helping others, particularly students, gives me a sense of fulfillment that transcends any fatigue or stress, and the importance of education has always been deeply ingrained in my family’s values. So, when the opportunity arose for employment directly within the school environment, it felt like a natural fit.” Ian is now the Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications at the University School of Nashville where you can be sure his sense of community, his concern for students, and his belief in creating opportunities for all will continue to shine through.
Like Ian and like the Academies of Nashville, Ford Next Generation Learning is dedicated to helping students succeed, and in our collective spirit of continuous improvement, we seek to find new ways and options for bridging the gap between education and careers. That is why we recently announced a new collaboration with YouScience to help students discover their aptitudes and link them to relevant educational pathways and professions. It is our sincere hope that this is a tool our communities will explore and leverage to empower students in their academies to discover and follow a proactive and intentional pathway to educational and career success. To learn more, CLICK HERE to check out the blog Ford NGL & YOUSCIENCE Collaboration Announcement.
