Jitu Brown is a son of Chicago. He is National director of the Journey for Justice Alliance, which has affiliates in 30 cities, where they work for social justice.
Jitu was the driving force behind the community effort to save Dyett High school in Chicago, the last open admission high school in Bronzeville. Mayor Rahm Emanuel had decided to close Dyett, and Jitu organized a campaign to save Dyett. He led a 34-day hunger strike, and eventually Rahm gave up and instead of closing Dyett, he invested $16 million into renovating it as a school for the arts.
Listen to Jitu here, where he is videotaped by videographer Bob Greenberg. Greenberg has created an archive of hundreds of interviews with educators. He is a retired teacher.
In this video, Jitu Brown describes the two teachers who had a profound impact on him and helped him discover his strengths.
In this video, Jitu Brown recites Claude Mckay’s “If We Must Die.”
Jitu belongs on the Honor Roll of this blog.
Jitu Brown is a hero of the Resistance. He is also a member of the board of the Network for Public Education.
He is featured in my new book SLAYING GOLIATH.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
A very impressive fellow!!!
The sacrifice and nobility of Jitu Brown’s hunger strike make him very deserving of commendation. Profound thanks to the dignitaries on Diane’s Honor Roll.
In days and days and then years and years when no one seemed to have a response to the reformers, the movements in Chicago have been rung clear as a bell. Jitu Brown speaks specifically to the encroachments and devastations of school reform, and he is always an amazing resource.