Dishon Mills
Since August 2000, Dishon Mills has been serving as the After School Programs Coordinator for the Boston Public Schools (BPS). In this capacity, Dishon launched and presently heads up the Department of Extended Learning Time, Afterschool and Services (DELTAS). This newly formed department promotes the expansion and improvement of programs at 145 District schools, supports community agencies seeking to partner with schools, and seeks to strengthen the link between what happens in the classroom and what happens during out-of-school time. The After School Programs Coordinator position is the first of its kind in Boston, and has grown into a vital piece of the city’s infrastructure connecting schools, families, and community organizations. In addition to other initiatives and projects, Dishon manages the Boston Community Learning Center (BCLC) initiative, which is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. He is also an experienced trainer and has presented many national, statewide, and local workshops.
Prior to joining the BPS, Dishon served as a Project Associate for BOSTnet (formerly Parents United for Child Care), a grassroots non-profit organization of low and moderate income parents dedicated to increasing the supply of quality, affordable child care in Massachusetts. While at BOSTnet, Dishon became skilled in program start-up and quality technical assistance. He was certified by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time as a quality advisor and used his expertise to guide the Black Ministerial Alliance's Victory Generation initiative and the Boston Community Learning Centers.
Dishon has almost 10 years experience as a child care and youth worker. While completing his B.A. from Harvard University in Sociology and African-American Studies, Dishon worked for four years with the South Boston Boys and Girls Club – the first African-American to serve on the adult staff of that clubhouse. While there, he helped to create a multicultural education club entitled M.C. Action to help expose young people to the diversity of the human experience. After graduating from Harvard, Dishon went to work for the Computer Clubhouse – an after-school learning environment where young people explore their interests and become confident learners through the use of technology. At the Clubhouse, Dishon created and operated the Clubhouse to College/Clubhouse to Career program. The purpose of the program was to give young people the information, resources, and support to help them ensure their own future success.
Dishon continues to work directly with youth through his church’s youth ministry. He is happily married to his wife Afrika, and they live in Randolph, Massachusetts with their daughter and son.
