The Youth Initiative 

SUNY Plattsburgh graduate spearheads high school diversity program

Story by Vanessa White

He looks like Eminem. 

This inside joke between an outreach coordinator and his former professor is only skin deep. Yes, Pearson's outter appearance, when lounging, resembles that of the actor-rapper, but there is much more to him than meets the eye. Inside, Pearson is a kind-hearted, unselfish individual with a burning ferver for social justice.

"Diversity is not new to us; this is just a different way of doing it better"

Currently as Outreach Coordinator, he is acting as a Center for Diversity Pluralism and Inclusion (CDPI) liaison to Beekmantown and Peru High Schools. Pearson has had a front row seat to outreach through two influences:Director for CDPI, J.W. Wiley, and Assistant Director, Deb Light.

 When Wiley would travel to schools throughout the North Country, Pearson was there to shadow him. While attending Plattsburgh State University from 2001 to 2006, Pearson took numerous courses of Wiley's and TA'd a few of them. "His level of sophistication and continuous initiative caused him to stand out as dedicated," said Light.

      This mindset of making diversity and social justice apart of every aspect of life allows Pearson to be so good at what he does. His passion for the material and interaction with people about it has well prepared him for the task ahead. "I can't think of anyone more equiped than Kevin," Wiley says. "Unless Deb and I want to roll back a few years."

Pearson will meet two to three times per week to help establish the high school diversity program and awareness in the culture of diversity says Chris Mazzella, Peru High School Principal. "He will do research, coordinate community events as well as faculty and student discussion panels, and be available during the school day for students to engage," said Mazzella.

Pearson's presence in Peru's High School community supports the goal of expanding diversity. "For the last two years, we've been looking at new high school initiatives to support the mission of our high school," he says.

Mazzella used to be the Peru's Middle School Principal and had Wiley visit the classrooms and do workshops with students and faculty. "Diversity is not new to us; this is just a different way of doing it better," he says.

So far, Peru and Beekmantown are the only two high school's on board. "We have not launched our Center yet, we plan to do a joint launch with Peru High School at the college this month," Beekmantown High School Principal Garth Frechette says. "We are presently building the infrastructure to support CDPI based activities."

"We're ready for it."

Pearson has a contract with Peru for three years and will be chairing the diversity task force through a community outreach program. Mazella hopes the program will be self sustaining. "My sense is that it will be welcomed," he says. "Anybody who is more hip will make a connection with kids."

Frechette is more than confident that Pearson will be well received. "It is obvious that Kevin is sincere about his work with CDPI," he says. "High school students can spot a 'poser' a mile away."

Mazella's hopes the program will help create awareness. "Some students will embrace diversity while some will not," he says. The ultimate objective is to make high school more the welcoming.

"I hope our students develop a deep, meaningful and realistic understanding of the social injustices they face in today's world," Frechette says. "Hopefully we will make a difference in a person who will make a difference in others."

Pearson recognizes that not everyone will not be open to diversity. He says that people who negate the premise he lives by are inverse inspirations. They inspire him to take action and reinforce the need to educate them. "It's daunting, that's for sure," he says. "It's putting together the small pieces that lead you to the outcome you envisioned at the beginning."

The outcome is a bright and dark one. "The outcome will involve the reaction of privileged groups actively working against their own privilege to secure privilege for underprivileged groups," Pearson says.

Now for the brighter side. "If we can continue to promote the idea of social justice, we may end up enhancing the life experiences for citizens in our own community," Frechette says.

Pearson is excited. "We're ready for it," he says. "I know it will work in the universal changes we can make." 

Would you like to become involved with High School CDPI?