ÖйúpÕ¾

Innocent Obi, Jr.

year: Alumni from: Chicago

Öйúpվ’s pedagogy encouraged me to be cognizant of my knowledge and contradictions and actively work to liberate myself — to free my mind to imagine a world according to me; a world representative of my identities. 

“I came to ÖйúpÕ¾ as a sophomore and grew to love the barns: both the small animal and the art barn. I took Öйúpվ’s progressive ideal of learning not for badges, merits, and honors, but for the joy of learning to heart. It was at ÖйúpÕ¾ where I felt comfortable with my ignorance. Öйúpվ’s pedagogy encouraged me to be cognizant of my knowledge and contradictions and actively work to liberate myself — to free my mind to imagine a world according to me; a world representative of my identities.”

“For me, ÖйúpÕ¾ was a liberating place. However, I understand that many aspects of my background and experience that made ÖйúpÕ¾ liberating, also made it suffocating for many of my peers. I also recognize that for many students — especially the few that look like me — this is still the case today.””

As a young alum, I consider myself an unconventional pick for a board position: I’m 26 and in the early grinds of a PhD. What do I know? This inherent humility is one of the things that makes me a great colleague in responding to the challenges faced by the board. I welcome the opportunity to share with the board and the wider ÖйúpÕ¾ School community my understanding and experience of Öйúpվ’s past and present and my visions for its future.”