John Duffy, Psy.D. & Shaka A. Rawls: Helping Our Boys Pursue Belonging and Purpose

Combining different perspectives and populations, John Duffy, Psy.D. (FAN ’20), a clinical psychologist in private practice in the Chicago area specializing in work with adolescents, young adults, and their parents, and Shaka A. Rawls, the principal at Leo High School in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side, will discuss their strategies for helping teenage boys navigate a world that often feels hostile, hard to fit into, and joyless. Duffy and Rawls will delve into a useful set of solutions for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone with a stake in helping young men feel invested in-and excited about-their own futures.
Duffy’s brand-new book is Rescuing Our Sons: 8 Solutions to Our Crisis of Disaffected Teen Boys. He has written and contributed to articles for CNN, the Washington Post, The New York Times, Your Teen, and other media outlets. He has shared his expertise through frequent appearances on CNN, the Today show, The Morning Blend, and others. On radio, he is a regularly appearing expert on WGN, WLS and NPR.
Rawls has worked in urban education for more than 20 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Before coming to Leo, he worked for Chicago Public Schools, his efforts focused on the challenges facing public and charter high schools in some of Chicago's most disadvantaged urban communities. As the first African-American alumnus to serve as principal in Leo's 96-year history, Rawls has overseen a 65% increase in enrollment over the last five years, as well as a 21% improvement in test scores. Leo has achieved a 100% graduation rate among its seniors in each year of Rawls' 7-year tenure.
Duffy and Rawls will be in conversation with Heidi Stevens, Director of External Affairs for the University of Chicago’s TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health. Prior to joining TMW, Stevens worked at the Chicago Tribune for 23 years, where she wrote a daily column called “Balancing Act.” She maintains a weekly nationally syndicated column. Stevens also serves as a FAN board member.