At Parent Teacher Home Visits, we believe in the power of human connection to transform education. Every other year, we honor one extraordinary individual who embodies that belief by presenting the Jocelyn Graves Award—a tribute to those who uplift communities, foster trust, and center family voices in education. This year, we are proud to bestow the award on Kwesi Rollins—a lifelong advocate for equity, partnership, and change.

A Legacy Rooted in Love and Justice

The Jocelyn Graves Award was created in honor of Jocelyn Graves, the late co-founder of PTHV, whose unwavering commitment to family and community engagement continues to inspire us today. Jocelyn was a mom in Sacramento, who simply wanted better for her children, but how she went about it started a national movement. Jocelyn believed in the brilliance of every child, the strength of families, and the necessity of healing relationships between schools and communities. She worked tirelessly to ensure that all voices—especially those too often unheard—were recognized, respected, and reflected in our schools.

To receive the Jocelyn Graves Award is to be recognized not only for leadership, but for a deep, personal commitment to the values of collaboration, humility, and justice. It is about showing up—for families, for educators, for students—with authenticity and care. Kwesi Rollins is that kind of leader.

Kwesi Rollins: A Life of Service and Vision

As Chief Program Officer at the Institute for Educational Leadership and a former board chair of PTHV, Kwesi Rollins has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for children and families across the country. Through his work, he has focused on expanding family engagement, community schools, and youth development—not just as strategies, but as pathways to justice and equity.

Kwesi doesn’t just talk about change; he builds it. Whether facilitating difficult conversations on racial equity, challenging school leaders to make tough decisions around family engagement, or guiding national policy conversations, he brings a rare blend of wisdom, empathy, and authenticity. His work aligns seamlessly with Jocelyn’s enduring legacy: to center families in every educational decision.

Listen to my immersive and riveting conversation with Kwesi on the latest episode of the PTHV Podcast, where he shares his journey, his hopes for education, how to navigate the current times, and what this award means to him.

In today’s educational climate, where schools are still recovering from deep disruptions and communities are grappling with ongoing inequities, the work of relationship-building and trust is more critical than ever. Kwesi reminds us that effective education doesn’t start with policy or curriculum—it starts with people.

He models what it means to lead with heart. And he shows us that family engagement is not a checkbox—it’s a commitment to equity, a reimagining of power dynamics, and an act of love.

We honor Kwesi Rollins not just for what he has done, but for how he has done it—with humility, purpose, and a deep respect for every voice in the room. In receiving the Jocelyn Graves Award, Kwesi joins a growing family of changemakers who are reshaping education by putting relationships first.

At PTHV, we are inspired by Kwesi’s leadership and remain committed to the vision he and Jocelyn share—a world where schools and families are true partners in creating joyful, just futures for our children.

Learn more about the Jocelyn Graves Award and how you can support our mission of transformational family engagement.

Meet Kwesi Rollins and explore the impact of his work at IEL.

To Kwesi: thank you for your light, your leadership, and your love. You are helping us all build a better tomorrow.