One City Schools unveiled new vans dedicated to community leaders central to the school’s history in a special celebration Sept. 26.
A total of eight vans — seven passenger sprinters and one utility van — adorned with the names of prominent Madison-area educational leaders will be used by One City Schools to transport its students. Each van is named after someone who had a profound impact on both the school, and its founder, Kaleem Caire.
“When they roll in these vans… you’re rolling with loyalty,” Caire said. “When you get in these vans, and you get out, you know how Once City is supposed to be.”
Vans are dedicated to Dr. Edward Holmes, Drs. Virginia and Perry Henderson, Terri and Wayne Strong, Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Dr. Noble Wray, Juan Jose Lopez, Mary B. Caire and Heladio Flores. Caire recanted how each person honored has made him who he is and has been inspirational to One City Schools’ founding.
Mary B. Caire — Kaleem Caire’s grandmother — was a driving force on Madison’s south side. She moved to Madison from Arkansas at the age of 17 and planted roots here. She was the first president of and a founding member of the Bram’s Addition Neighborhood Association.
(Photo by Omar Waheed)
Dr. Holmes was a father figure to many and Caire credits him as the reason why he graduated high school.
Dr. Ladson-Billings has been on Caire’s side for the past 30 years. She helped guide him in education as Caire looked to make a change in how education works for children of color.
“When I came back to the Urban League, she joined the board. When I started this, she joined the board, and I’m so grateful and thankful to be surrounded by people like this, but especially you,” Caire said to Dr. Ladson-Billings.
Dr. Wray is a former Madison police chief and a long-time friend of Caire. He would frequently call him for advice, and when Caire was looking to start a school, he turned towards Dr. Way’s father — who started a school in Milwaukee — for advice.
Drs. Virginia and Perry Henderson have long ties with Caire in his path towards becoming an educator. Virginia initially got Caire into teaching when she started the African American Ethnic Academy when it was at Edgewood College.
“She asked me to come visit when it was at Edgewood, and I didn’t realize I was coming for a Saturday job,” Caire said. “So I started teaching history to the kids on Saturdays, and every Saturday, I would be over there for several weeks teaching. That’s what got me into it.”
Dr. Perry Henderson, who recently passed away, has been a long-time confidant of Caire’s. He called him the “tip of the spear” as he formed Once City Schools. The nickname was enlightening for Caire as he realized the work he’s doing today is only the start. Someone else — the rest of the spear — will continue on with his work, Caire said.
The Strongs have been a guidepost whenever Caire needed support. He recalled a “mental telepathy” from Wayne Strong calling him exactly when he needed it. Terri Strong pushed Caire to be strong as he sought to create One City Schools.
Jaun Jose Lopez’s legacy has trickled into many lives — and Caire’s is no different in feeling that lasting impact.
“The thing about Juan was that he supported everybody. When I ran for school board, he was there at every meeting,” Caire said. “In 1998, I didn’t know what I was doing. I was just running for school board and he was part of my campaign team. He came to every meeting. He told me what to do.”
The last van, the utility van, is dedicated to One City School’s operations manager, Heladio Flores. He isn’t from Caire’s past like the people the other vans are dedicated to, but central to One City School’s success.
“When we need something, Heladio comes and takes care of it,” Caire said with tears welling. “For one person to do what this man does is incredible and when you know somebody’s origin story and you know how hard they worked.”
Flores’ last interview before coming to One City Schools was in a work van over Zoom, where he kept apologizing, Caire recalled.
“He was in a work van because he had to work for his family,” Caire said. “Who do you want more than somebody who’s working and wants that work? We’re just so blessed to have him.”
The vans are ready to roll and can be seen at One City Schools, 1707 W Broadway, and across Madison. Custom headrest covers will be added soon to the vans to complete their look.
