On July 10, 2025, One City Schools celebrated its 10th Anniversary with its “Rally for the Future” at the Sylvee on South Livingston Street. The evening started with the exciting musical stylings of the Isaiah Oby Orchestra followed by a parade through the venue by the Black Star Drumline to maintain the energy. Master of Ceremonies, former Madison Police Chief, Noble Wray kicked off the program that was a celebration of accomplishments of the One City Charter School. A performance by the school’s choir, a video presentation documenting the growth and success of One City, encouragement from Chief Services Officer of One City’s corporate sponsor Summit Credit Union, Ric Mathias, and a tribute to all the supporters and staff members that have brought One City to this point. The evening concluded with the bumping sounds of DJ Pain 1 that allowed guests to take to the floor and dance the night away.
The guests of the event were treated to a sumptuous Mexican buffet by Blue Plate Catering. The highlight of the evening was featured guest, actor and reading advocate LeVar Burton who participated in an interview moderated by One City Board of Directors member, Gloria Ladson-Billings. Burton asserted that his love of reading came as a result of his mother’s insistence that all of her children would read. He could not remember a time when he and his siblings did not read. Burton spoke to the importance of literacy for ensuring our liberation and told the crowd, “Literacy is the anecdote to nonsense!”
The final speaker of the evening was One City CEO and founder, Kaleem Caire. Caire took the time to thank all of the people who helped the school grow and develop—donors, advisers, volunteers, teachers, administrators, staff, and families. He pointed out that One CIty is a school designed to create “change makers” not “test takers.”
