Bayonne High School
John Bailey School
Mary J. Donohoe School
Henry E. Harris School
Lincoln School
Horace Mann School
Midtown Community
Walter Robinson School
Vroom School
Washington School
Woodrow Wilson School
#14 School

Rebecca Hosmer, 6th grade student at John M Bailey School had to complete a project. She researched Ida B. Wells for her Social Studies class in honor of Black History and Women’s History Month. Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) was an anti-lynching crusader, a women's rights activist, a passionate crusader against racism, a journalist and teacher who spoke out on racial issues, a civil rights pioneer and one of the founders of the NAACP. Through her research, she came across the name of Dan Duster, who is Ida’s great grandson. Rebecca, with the permission of her mother, Bayonne High School teacher, Patricia Hosmer, contacted Dan Duster via e-mail requesting any information about his great grandmother, Ida B. Wells. Dan Duster wrote to Rebecca and offered to help her with her project. As a result, a true act of kindness developed. Mr. Duster spoke to Rebecca on the phone, and because he admired her dedication to the project and her communication skills, he offered to speak at Rebecca’s school free of charge. He would be coming into New York City to honor his great grandmother and had time in his busy schedule to visit Rebecca and the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at John M. Bailey School.

On March 23, 2007, Mr. Dan Duster spoke at John M. Bailey School. Dan Duster, President of 3D Development Group, is a motivational speaker and trainer. He impacts school leaders across the nation through his workshops and speeches. Dan shows youth how to set goals, communicate effectively and realize their potential.

“Students at John M. Bailey School had a unique opportunity when Dan Duster visited our school. Our students learned so much from his presentation and we are all extremely grateful for his educational program,” states James McCabe, Principal.