Support Student Activist Jody - College Fund

On May 26, 2020, seventeen-year-old Jody, with the assistance of her friend Celianna, painted a mural on Dover High School's driveway depicting a black resistance fist on a white background, underneath which Jody wrote, "I Can't Breathe." These were the last words of George Floyd and Eric Garner. On the mural, Jody and Celianna shared George Floyd's name and other black lives (Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, and Tamir Rice) who have been needlessly taken because of police brutality.  All the seniors, like Jody, were invited to paint a mural on the driveway. However, Dover's school administration destroyed Jody's mural the next day by painting over it in white, the only mural to be defaced. 

“I am tired of the school blocking my voice,” said Jody. “That mural was not only a way to show what’s happening in the black community, but it was also a memorial for those who have died. Our people dying is becoming normalized.”

Superintendent Mike Tierney said Jody's mural was "not the appropriate time, place or manner for her message." However, many of us from Dover, NY believe that Jody's message, expression, and opinions are more important than ever. Young people like Jody should be celebrated for their accomplishments. The expression of their ideas should be fostered in an educational setting. The school is still prohibiting Jody from restoring the mural as it was before, violating her constitutional right to political speech.

This GoFundMe was created to lift Jody's voice and financially support her as she prepares to start college at SUNY Albany in the fall. She and her friends have been using their own resources to create beautiful tapestries and murals in support of black lives. In addition to being an activist, Jody is a senior Honor Society member. She was the president of Students Against Discriminatory Decisions (SAAD) Club, and President of Peer Leaderships. Jody was also a gifted member of Dover's Track and Field team all four years. Her best event was the high jump! She hopes to study pre-law, attend law school, and one day become a criminal defense attorney.  Let's support Jody in the next stage of her life and let her know that we stand in solidarity with her. 

***All money raised will go directly to Jody for the purpose of being used for her college education! This GoFundMe was created by concerned residents of Dover with Jody's approval.***

Read Jodys Interview here 

#PaintWithJody