Help An Award-Winning Teacher Stand Up for Justice

Hello, my name is Gregg Marcel Dixon. For ten years, from 2012 to 2022, I proudly served as a teacher at Royal Live Oaks Academy in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Teaching was more than my job—it was my calling. I was tough on my students, but I loved them, and I took pride in watching them grow, succeed, and believe in themselves. I had great relationships with my colleagues, some who remain my good friends to this day. Over the years, I was honored to be named School Teacher of the Year, District Teacher of the Year, and Academic Coach of the Year. My students consistently achieved top results, and I received the highest possible teacher rating (EVAAS 5) every single year the program existed here in South Carolina.

However, in 2020, during the nation’s reckoning with race and justice, everything changed. I began speaking out—outside of work—in support of racial equity and fairness. Shortly after, I was demoted. Things really escalated when I later ran for public office with racial justice as a central theme. My director, with whom I once had a very close professional relationship, twice made reference to me as “an angry Black man.” The second time, she told me I would not be invited back to teach—despite my record of excellence, despite the fact that I had a high approval rating from my students, and despite my students’ success. She mentioned that she had once spoken about me "being an angry black man." The experience was traumatizing. For nearly two years, I could hardly look at a school building, much less step inside one. What once brought me joy had come to symbolize pain. I have since returned to teaching and I am once again enjoying what I have done for decades.

I’ve chosen to turn that pain into purpose by standing up for justice. I have filed a lawsuit against Dr. Wicks and Royal Live Oaks Academy in federal court, and I have been representing myself for the past three years. The case is now approaching trial. This has been a long and emotional journey, but I absolutely refuse to let discrimination go unchallenged.

I have never been one to ask for help. As a teacher, I’ve always been the one helping others. However, now, I am asking for your support. Your generous contributions will go toward legal expenses, trial preparation, and court-related costs.

No one’s race, sex, religion, creed, or nationality should ever determine how they’re treated at work, irrespective of whether you like the person or not. With your help, I can continue this fight—for justice, for accountability, and for every worker who has ever been treated unfairly.

Thank you for standing with me.

– Gregg Marcel Dixon