Fredrick Bailey Announced as First-Ever Milliken Alumni Fellow
Arlington, VA—Today, Communities In School National Office announces Fredrick Bailey as the first ever recipient of the Bill and Jean Milliken Fellowship. This annual fellowship seeks to advance CIS' collective work and give voice to the next generation of CIS leaders and thinkers, while honoring Bill and Jean Milliken’s unique contributions to this organization. This year’s fellowship is focused on how to prepare all students for college, career and civic engagement, a topic derived from the inaugural Milliken Dialogues.
Over the course of the nine-month fellowship, Fredrick will research how to increase the presence of CIS students at national, state and local government levels to develop positive relationships with policymakers and to create internship opportunities for CIS students. He will also work alongside CIS National staff in a collaborative, cross-functional exploration of some of the most important and compelling issues facing CIS and the students we serve.
Fredrick has been involved with Communities In Schools for over fifteen years, first as a student of Communities In Schools of Troup County, Georgia, then as a member of the Alumni Leadership Advisory Committee. Having spoken to thousands of individuals in support of Communities In Schools as a speaker and student success coach, Fredrick has proven himself a powerful advocate of the program and people he credits with changing his life for the better.
Fredrick will tell you that Communities In Schools changed his life forever. “The only meals I got were at school. So guess who had perfect attendance?” Fredrick said. “When my site coordinator stepped in, my entire life changed. I got dental work, I got glasses, professional mentoring and counseling, and leadership opportunities. I am who I am because Communities In Schools works."
Fredrick will move to Washington, D.C., from Fairburn, GA. He continues to give back to his community by volunteering at a local nursing home and homeless shelter, mentoring young men, and tutoring middle and high school students in reading.