When Jocelyn Ford-Baker was about to enter ninth grade, she received a phone call that would change her life. Jocelyn was granted a MassMutual Scholarship* to attend The MacDuffie School, an independent school for grades 6-12, that fall. She was ecstatic, as were her parents.

       “My Mom and Dad were so happy!” recalls the now senior at MacDuffie, as she remembers thinking “now my high school years will really be worth something!” Jocelyn’s mother, Lorri, says, “Hearing about the scholarship was like winning the lottery! We have big dreams for Jocelyn!”

       The teenager was in for a bit of an adjustment, however. “I thought I was prepared, but I struggled my first year at MacDuffie, as the expectations were a lot higher,” admits Jocelyn. Balancing basketball and her studies was challenging. Jocelyn, who left the Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter School in Springfield to attend MacDuffie, credits the school’s faculty and staff for helping her to adjust to an oftentimes demanding schedule. “After awhile I was able to balance my studies and my commitment to basketball,” she says, “and then when I got to play basketball in front of the crowd, it was intense and very fun, and it all came together! Playing basketball is the highlight of my year, every year.”

       Originally from New Jersey, Jocelyn moved to Springfield when she was in first grade and started playing basketball at the YWCA when she was eight. She began playing at the Dunbar Community Center and was immediately hooked on the sport. Lorri Ford says, “Jocelyn loves basketball – she eats, breathes and sleeps basketball!”

       “I play about two hours every day,” says Jocelyn, “and on the weekends a lot more!” She happily spends many hours shooting hoops at Magazine Park on State Street, the Revival Time Evangelistic Center, her church, or the YMCA. “MacDuffie is a very tight community, and everyone knows everyone,” she says, “so it’s easy to get along, and the team has become my second family!”

       Jocelyn’s potential, both as a leader and player, was instantly recognized, and she was elected Captain her first year, despite having three seniors on the team. It comes as no surprise that the talented athlete was elected Captain her second, third and fourth years, too, as well as being elected the MVP. “I’m basically running the show, and I like it!” she jokes.

        “She really is a born leader, “says her mother proudly, as she describes how Jocelyn also volunteers at the Johnson Life Center on State Street near her home in Mason Square. She has been a peer leader and now counselor to the younger kids, serving as a role model.

       Jocelyn credits her coach with helping to build a strong team at MacDuffie and quotes some of his favorite advice: “Coach Mullan says ‘Keep your head in the game,’ ‘Don’t argue with the referees,’ ‘Defense!’ and ‘Play your hardest!’” she says. Mark Mullan, a cardiologist and internist, is also on the board of trustees at MacDuffie and parent of three MacDuffie grads.

       “Jocelyn is a fantastic player,” says Dr. Mullan. “She has led the team in every category, every year, from passing and shooting, to scoring and rebounding. She is the whole package, works very hard, and is a really good kid.” In fact, he kiddingly refers to her as the “coach” of the team.  Jocelyn also follows her own advice: You can beat anyone if you put your mind to it, and never go into a game scared, or you’ll lose.       

       What’s ahead for the basketball star? She might pursue a career in athletic therapy or as a trainer. “If I could become a pro athlete, that would be cool,” she says pragmatically, “but as long as I can stay in the sport, I’m O.K. with that. I do hope to play basketball in college, and I would love to go to Springfield College.” Having recently been diagnosed with diabetes, her parents are happy to have her stay local. Lorri says, “Springfield is the birthplace of basketball, so what better place to go to college?”

       The MacDuffie School is a rigorous college preparatory school whose mission is to foster in all students the intellectual habits of mind, high ethical standards and respect for diversity required for becoming morally responsible and effective individuals in their personal lives, careers and in their communities and beyond.

       *MassMutual Financial Group has funded 10 full-tuition scholarships a year at The MacDuffie School, Pioneer Valley Christian Academy and Cathedral High School since 2005. In order to be eligible for these scholarships, students had to reside in Hampden or Hartford counties, have high academic achievement and excellent citizenship in middle school, and demonstrate full financial need. In 2008, the final year of new scholarship awards, 120 MassMutual Scholars are attending the three schools. Jocelyn is the first cohort of MassMutual Scholars who will graduate in 2009.

The announcement was clear: the Undoing Racism Organizing Collective (UROC) was hosting a workshop presented by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. They were looking for activists, religious leaders, teachers, students, and anyone who wanted to create a more humane society to attend. The commitment was two and one half days. The discussion would be centered around a historical and institutional analysis of racism, oppression, cultural sharing, principles of accountability and networking. The result: more than 30 participants attended the training

       On Friday, October 17, 2008, a mixed group of individuals from cities and towns throughout the United States came together for the Undoing Racism Workshop. This year’s training was held at the Springfield YMCA.

       “This weekend we feed you. We take care of you,” said UROC organizer Judy Feinstein during the group’s welcome. She was talking about the six meals and child care provided to the participants during the training. The attendees soon found, however, that the nourishment came from more than the plentiful meals they received.

       The first night was an overview. Introductions were made, the house rules were explained and the groundwork laid. Attendees were expected to give their 100% in mind and attendance. They were also challenged with a new term: growing edge, that point where you begin to feel uncomfortable, where in a regular circumstance, your basic instinct is to flee or lash out. Recognize it. Challenge your beliefs. This is the point from which you will grow, they were told.

       The following morning started simple enough. Participants were given a brainteaser. Connect the box of nine dots shown on the paper before you, only using four consecutive lines. Many scrunched up their faces in confusion, some sat dazed, but none solved the puzzle.

       People’s Institute presenter and Springfield native Annie Rodriguez explained it. “You have to think outside the box in order to solve the problem,” she said creating an oddly shaped polygon with four lines. She then challenged the participants, “How many of you are outside of the box? How many of you have been called ‘troublemakers?”

       The weekend quickly evolved into an intense one. The workshop discussion moved from topics of poverty, to stereotypes, to accountability, to power; by the end, attendees began to have a comprehensive understanding of how all of these relate to the origin and design of racism. 

       “It was liberating and it made me uncomfortable at the same time,” said participant Bill Peebles. “The real history gets told. It makes me think about the role I play in upholding racism.”

       The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond is a group of educators and organizers dedicated to the creating a socially just society through the understanding and analysis of racism. Contact their website at www.pisab.org for more information.

       UROC began approximately 10 years ago in Springfield, MA after several participants attended an Undoing Racism training sponsored by Casa Latina. UROC has been hosting the trainings in the Springfield area since their inception. For more information contact Anne Richmond at arichmond156@yahoo.com.