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WILLBE ACADEMY CONTINUES
LEGACY OF DR. E. THURMAN WALKER In September 2009 Walker Institute of Learning and Leadership for Boys of Excellence (WILLBE Academy) was officially launched during a 50th Birthday Gala Honoring the late Dr. E. Thurman Walker, Jr. Shortly after the passing of the late Pastor Walker in October 2009, a small group of WILLBE visionaries, including Anthony Edwards, Patricia Casey, Dr. Kenneth Kemp and Jo Angelia Walker, began meeting to establish the new Academy. In December 2009 the WILLBE Academy Board was formed and an application was submitted for 501(c)3 status.
WILLBE Academy went into operation in the Fall of 2010 in the basement of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. With faith, reasonable funds, and a small staff, the school began with 5 students. In 2013, it was determined that the existence of the WILLBE Academy as a private school was greatly challenged by public gender-specific schools being started in the same area. Since 2016, the dedicated Board of WILLBE has continuously sought to keep the vision alive and well and the legacy of Dr. Walker in the memory of the San Antonio community. After a brief but meaningful partnership providing a Music Tech Curriculum with The George Gervin Academy, the vision of Pastor Walker has been reframed and simplified to insure continued and enduring success. During the Covid-19 Pandemic the WILLBE Board had opportunity to restructure and rename the Organization to the Dr.E. Thurman Walker Foundation. The original vision, mission, and values of Dr. Walker have been foundational in reframing the future of the DETW Foundation. Just as Dr. Walker's passion was rooted in the education and cultural development of African American boys, DETW is focused on assisting young men of color with scholarships and a mentoring program. We continue to seek donations, partnerships and sponsorships. Our funds are managed by the San Antonio Area Foundation so that giving to this organization is a credible experience. The future is bright and exciting and our organization is poised for success in maintaining the Legacy of the Late Dr. E. Thurman Walker, Jr. |
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“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill