Today we’d like to introduce you to Roblin J. Webb.
Hi Roblin J., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in a small town in southern Arkansas, Camden, AR. I have always been passionate about civil rights. From a young child experiencing racism on the playground to reading books about civil rights and the struggles and triumphs of African Americans I graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN with a degree in Urban Studies. I left Memphis to attend law school and grad school at Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, NJ. I returned to Memphis after law school and practiced law for 2 years with the law firm that was the counsel for the Memphis City School District. I disliked practicing law and felt like I was on the wrong side….going against the very people I thought I should be defending. I left the practice of law and went to work for an education non profit called New Leaders for New Schools as the Deputy Director of the Memphis program.
I quickly began to realize that education is our modern day civil rights movement, and that if I gave people the tools to fight for themselves through a strong education, I would not have to fight for them as an attorney. My passion for education was sparked even further after I volunteered to coach a mock trial team at a local high school and realized that the students, despite passing the State test, were not prepared for the challenges of college and certainly not law school. At this point, I knew I needed to do more to support children of color in Memphis, a city where only 20% of the adult population holds a 4 year college degree. In the Summer of 2007, I applied, interviewed, and was accepted as the first TN Fellow in a national fellowship called Building Excellent Schools (BES). BES trains professionals to open and run high-performing college preparatory charter schools in underserved communities. I completed the Fellowship from 2007-2008 and opened the first Freedom Prep school with 100 6th graders in the Westwood neighborhood. Freedom Prep’s mission is to prepare all students to excel in college and in life. Freedom Prep has grown to now five schools in Memphis serving nearly 2,000 students in K-12(2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school). To continue the path of the civil rights movement and transforming education across the South, Freedom Prep opened our first school in Birmingham, AL.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been the bumpiest and most challenging role of my life, yet by far the most rewarding. Opening and running any business is difficult, but the complexity of opening and running a non-profit business and a school was incredibly hard. There has not been one year in this 18 year journey that has been smooth or easy. Most of the struggles were around finding, affording, and renovating facilities. Some of the toughest years were during and immediately post COVID where education was hit the hardest.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools?
Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools is a network of high-performing, college-preparatory free public charter schools serving students in Tennessee and Alabama. Founded in 2009, Freedom Prep’s mission is to prepare all students in grades PreK–12 to excel in college and in life by providing a rigorous academic program, strong character development, and meaningful community engagement. With a commitment to equity and excellence, Freedom Prep is proud to be a tuition-free school option where students receive the support, resources, and high expectations they need to achieve their full potential.
What matters most to you?
Equality and access to a strong education that prepares children who look like me to have a choice in their future. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that equips them not just academically, but holistically, to pursue their dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Freedomprep.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedom_prep_charter_schools/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreedomPrepMemphis
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/freedom-prep-charter-schools/
- Twitter: https://x.com/FreedomPrepAcad
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Freedom_Prep_Academy/videos
- Other: https://youtu.be/MWvrGNBx_LM
