Cesar Chavez Academy - History of The School's Name

History of The School's Name

In January 1996 a community meeting of over 100 residents was held in the school basement to announce the intention to establish a school and if there was interest in the community for establishing a school – gathering suggestions for a school name. This first meeting was held prior to a school board having been established and was led by Fr. Hanchon and Patrick Irwin. At this meeting the residents unanimously supported the establishment of a charter school in the mostly vacant building. When the assembled group was asked by Patrick Irwin as to what the school should be called, Maria Chavez – a lifelong resident of the community stated to the assembled audience “Cesar Chavez”. Another attendee of the meeting stood up to ask "Who is he" - to which Ms. Chavez replied "He's our Martin Luther King" – to which everyone in the room began applauding. No other names were offered to name the school and on a one voice recommendation – the name and destiny of the school was selected. The Cesar Chavez Academy honors the legacy of Cesar Chavez who dedicated his entire life to the cause of social justice and the rights of all people to dignity and respect. During his lifetime Cesar Chavez, as a human rights and labor leader, spent many hours and days in the Detroit community in his pursuit of support and assistance for his labor and peace struggles. Cesar Chavez was as a close friend to Monsignor Clement Kern (deceased) former pastor of Most Holy Trinity Church in Detroit - and Cesar spent many nights at the rectory of Holy Trinity when he stayed in Detroit.