COVID-19 claims life of Tarrant County education pioneer

FORT WORTH, #Texas – A pioneer of education in #Tarrant #County is being remembered by those who are most proud of his dedication to others.

#In his own words recorded six years ago by the organization he co-founded, #Dr. #Dennis #Dunkins revealed his passion for educational equality, particularly within the #Fort #Worth #Independent #School #District.

“I just love the fact that I have this opportunity,” he said. “#One of the major struggles in establishing TABSE was to make people believe we were real, that we really were serious about what we were trying to do.”

The #Texas #Alliance of #Black #School #Educators was established in 1987. #It now has more than 1,000 members and 15 affiliates throughout #Texas.

#Dunkins died #Tuesday from complications of COVID-19, prompting an avalanche of recognition in his memory.

“#He made sure we were equitable in preserving traditional #African #American communities like #Morningside, like #Stop #Six with great #African #American leadership,” said #Tobi #Jackson, a #Fort #Worth ISD school board member.

The man credited for boosting the number of #African #American school principals in #Fort #Worth was himself among the first black students ever to graduate from the #University of #North #Texas.

#He celebrated his 80th birthday in #September, not long after earning a doctorate degree in #Christian leadership and community organization.

“#He was instrumental in developing our first magnet programs in #Fort #Worth high schools that traditionally served students of color. #Without his work, we would not have those magnet programs,” said #Dr. #Cherie #Washington, #Fort #Worth ISD’s #Chief of #Schools.

#For decades, #Dunkins personally organized college tours for thousands of high school students to visit historically black colleges and universities across the country.

“#Dennis wasn’t satisfied with knowing what he knew and then sitting down. #He wanted to share it with older people, his peers but certainly with younger people which is why he took them on those tours through the south visiting those colleges,” said #Bob #Ray #Sanders, a local historian.

#For his family, the loss of #Dunkins is more than words can describe. #His son, #Dennis #Dunkins II, also a #Fort #Worth ISD educator is grief-stricken but proud.

“#He was so much a part of, ‘whatever I can do to help, I’ll do from my position.’ I think so many of us in different positions don’t realize how we can affect others. #And I think that’s what he understood,” his son said.

#Up until recently, #Dunkins hosted weekly #Zoom meetings for principals – a principal’s institute. #He shared with them a personal how-to manual on being an effective principal in urban communities.