I’ve always had quirky questions in my mind- like whether gleaning is truly a beneficial principle. I’ve learned that sometimes you can find answers to life in the most unique ways- for instance, blueberries.

One day a friend told me about a vacant acre of beautiful blueberry trees that were standing so high and were free for picking. So off we went to the blueberry lot. An hour later, I noticed that my bucket was overflowing with blueberries while my friend’s bucket was only half full (name is omitted to protect the innocent). Now I know I operate at a fast pace but I am not that fast- what was the deal?!

Well, it was about how we picked that made the difference. My friend stayed at one tree for the full hour to get every last blueberry off that tree - the fruit in his bucket was blue, pink, and green. In contrast, I went from tree to tree to tree, grabbing only the ripe fruit that was ready to come off. The fruit in my bucket was better and my production was significantly higher.

Back in Jesus’ day, gleaning not only benefited the poor but also the farmer in his productivity and quality of his product. I think we need to look at our community in Durham this way. So many times we are focused on what we can pick off the tree that is in front of us, but what would happen if we learned how to buy a field and plant blueberry trees and only take a handful off of each tree? It is counter-intuitive and requires discipline and a long term dream. We would be wealthier not only financially but relationally and there would be enough resources for everyone.

I think one of the greatest assets we can bring to help break systemic poverty is to develop an investment mind-set. The “velocity of the dollar” describes how the more times a dollar exchanges hands within a community, the wealthier the community becomes. In the African-American community it usually exchanges hands three to four times. In the White and Latino community six to seven times, and the Asian community somewhere around 12 times.* Though it is not a short term solution, I believe bringing in entrepreneurship back into Durham is a way to unlock the power blueberries that there is more than enough for everyone!

I knew when I entered public education I would be surrounding myself largely with people who care about children. However, the high level of caring I have experienced here in Durham is phenomenal.

Our business and community partners bend over backwards to support us. In fact, we have thousands of volunteers supporting our schools. They come from businesses of all sizes, local colleges and universities and communities of faith.

On the individual level, many Durham residents who want to support our students sign up as tutors and school volunteers. It seems that more individuals want to play a part in making our community stronger through better schools for our children.

We often hear that schools are a reflection of the community. It is certainly true here in Durham. Not only is our community’s rich diversity mirrored in our schools, but I have witnessed a significant increase in the ways our students are showing that they care about their community.

I could not be more proud to head a school district that has such caring students, teachers, principals, parents and community supporters. It is my hope that everyone in this wonderful community can realize how fortunate we are to have so many who care so much.