Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Twitter and Square, has awarded St. Augustine High School in New Orleans a $1.5 million gift through Dorsey’s #StartSmall initiative. Dorsey’s gift marks the largest one-time donation ever made to the school. The gift highlights a series of initiatives and programs geared toward building transformative academic experiences for students.
“We cannot overstate the power and reach of this transformational and game-changing gift from Mr. Jack Dorsey and #StartSmall,” said St. Augustine High School President and CEO, Dr. Kenneth St. Charles. “This gift allows our school and students to continue to have a tremendous impact not only on our local and regional communities but on our entire nation. We are honored that Jack Dorsey, an international leader, chose to invest in St. Augustine High School. His support reaffirms the impact that our school has had in the past, and the unlimited potential we will continue to have not only in the African American community but in society at large. Future generations will benefit from this inspiring gift as St. Augustine works to prepare young men in ways that provide bold, transformative educational experiences grounded in our Catholic traditions.”
The gift will serve as a catalyst for new academic programs and will include several capital improvement initiatives. Upgrades to classrooms, science labs, and other critical facilities will provide innovative technological advancements that will transform the curriculum, preparing students to meet the challenges of today’s world.
“Upon entering the halls of St. Augustine High School, I was immediately inspired by the confidence, ambition and passion exhibited by each of the young men. I knew then, that the opportunity to support these students and future students was much larger than a classroom visit, said TJ Adeshola, head of sports partnerships at Twitter. “While I routinely find myself in awe of Jack, the #StartSmall team and the work they do, I’m especially proud to see St. Augustine and my good friend Aulston Taylor, Chief Development Officer at the school, benefit from this wonderful, generous gift.”
The broad funding provided by Mr. Dorsey and #StartSmall will guarantee the school’s strength, while the operational funds included in the gift will provide for immediate impact. In addition to transforming the academic offerings, the school will also dedicate a portion of the funding to assist families who recently experienced financial difficulties resulting from the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
About St. Augustine High School:
St. Augustine High School is a college preparatory school for young men founded in 1951 by the Josephite priests and brothers, an order dedicated to providing missions and schools for African-Americans in their dioceses. Over the years, St. Augustine High School has built a legacy serving as the training ground for leadership through academic excellence, moral values, Christian responsibility, and reasonable, consistent discipline. Today, the school welcomes young men of all backgrounds and remains a leading secondary school for African-American males in Louisiana.
About #STARTSMALL
#startsmall is Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative to fund global COVID-19 relief, girls health and education, and efforts towards Universal Basic Income. Dorsey transferred $1 billion (28% of his wealth) to #startsmall in 2020.
