The name “Lockridge” in Ward 8 is synonymous with political and civic activism, community engagement and educational advocacy. Now, Stefan Lockridge is working hard to make sure his family’s legacy continues in the future.
“My family business is community activism,” Lockridge told The Informer. “My father and uncle engaged in community activism and so were their spouses. I learned a lot being around them.”
Lockridge is son of the late William O. Lockridge–who served on the D.C. Board of Education as the Ward 8 representative for years until his death in 2011–and Wanda Lockridge, a former chair of the D.C. Democratic State Committee and works in the Office of the Ward 8 Council. Wanda Lockridge served as the chief of staff for then D.C. Ward 8 Council member Trayon White (D) since he took office in 2017, but White was booted off the legislative body earlier this year because of ethics violations and alleged violation of criminal laws.
He is also the nephew of the late R. Calvin Lockridge, a former D.C. School board president.
Lockridge is one of six individuals who will be honored at the 60th Anniversary Gala for The Washington Informer on March 28 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Northwest, D.C.
“I am super excited to be recognized for selfless service,” Lockridge, 38, said. “I do not go out looking for these things. I love The Informer, and I understand their legacy. They know what legacy is.”
Lockridge Handles His Business
Wanda Lockridge said when her son was young, she and her husband would take him to community meetings with them.
“He didn’t have much of a choice then, he had to go to meetings with me or my husband,” she said. “When he was with me at advisory neighborhood commission meetings, Mary Cuthbert, a colleague, would entertain him.”
The proud mother said when he got older, the younger Lockridge opted out of attending meetings with her, saying “I had enough.” While the interest in direct civic community activism faded, his passion for supporting residents of neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River did not.
He followed in the footsteps of his father and other kin and pursued a career in education. Lockridge is a graduate of Wilson High School and Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“Music is my thing, particularly music production,” he said. “I wanted to pursue music and stay in the industry and make money.”
The passionate arts educator presently teaches at KIPP DC instructing ninth-12th graders the basics and intricacies of music production and the recording industry. He has been at KIPP for five years, a part of his 17-year career as an educator.
Lockridge said he is undaunted by the negative behavior of some students because he can relate to them in some ways that other educators cannot.
“It is not bad for me. I grew up in a neighborhood that was tough,” he said. “I really have a passion for music. Besides, I was young when I started teaching and not much older than the kids I taught.”
Jacque Patterson serves as a D.C. Board of Education at-large member and is employed by KIPP as its chief community engagement and growth officer. The politician and leader at KIPP celebrated Lockridge’s work as an educator and in the community.
“Service to the community is in Stefan’s DNA,” said Patterson, 60, in a statement to The Informer. “His parents, the late William Lockridge and mother, Wanda Lockridge, had him at community meetings as a youth. It was ingrained in him and now shows as an educator in the ward and on the board of the William O. Lockridge Community Foundation (WOLCF).”
Continuing his father’s work and legacy, Lockridge serves as vice chair of the foundation named in his father’s honor, with his mother leading the charge as chair.
Founded in 2011 after its namesake’s death, William O. Lockridge Community Foundation is a nonprofit with the mission of supporting the educational goals and aspirations of Ward 7 and 8 students. The foundation offers emergency financial aid, scholarships, and activities such as international travel opportunities to students.
Lockridge said one of his charges with the foundation is to protect the legacy of his father and collaborate with public relations and social media. He said the organization’s staple event “Dancing with the Scholars” serves as the nonprofit’s primary fundraiser, and he is integrally involved with bringing it to life annually.
“Dancing with the Scholars takes months to plan,” he said, “and I make sure that the audio and visual equipment works to make it a success.”
While she is elated to see her son celebrated by The Informer, Wanda Lockridge is always beaming with pride and in support of her son’s accomplishments.
“I am proud of him,” she said. “He is a third-generation educator. It is so important to have Black men as educators.”