How might a necktie help to ensure a community of purpose and belonging? 

Meet Isa Stokes, Charlotte Latin’s new Director of Academic Transition and Student Success. His title packs a mighty punch and needs little further explanation. That is until you meet him. It goes beyond that. 

Sam visits Isa often. He is neither new to Latin nor transitioning from another school, as Isa’s title might suggest. Sam’s transition is based on a situation in that last year was comfortable and this year is not. 

Isa is a relationship builder, inspiring achievement and comfort in students across Latin’s campus — sometimes unbeknownst to them — via unique and intentional programs. 

Take, for instance, “Tie into Success.” 

Out of the blue, “Do you know how to tie a tie?” Isa one day asked Sam.

“I’ve watched someone tie one,” Sam quizzically replied.

Where is this going, you ask? Tying a tie is a multi-step process, and doing it for the first time comes neither naturally nor easily for everyone. The lesson unfolds.

“Let’s do it together,” he says. Isa went to the hook in his office that often corrals many ties and demonstrated to Sam how he ties one. Something he does every day. Intentionally.

• Take your time. 

• Set up the X, cross the wide and narrow sides at different lengths. 

• Carry the wide side behind the narrow, seam facing out.

• Back across, seam facing you. 

• Up through the hole at your neck, and down through the knot. 

• Use the narrow side to adjust the length. 

Voila! Success.

“In teaching me how to tie a tie, Mr. Stokes made me focus on little things in life — ‘essential knowledge.’ It alerted me to true purpose and empowerment — aligning how learning to tie a tie may be necessary for a young man going off to college. Especially a young black man. Flipping the tie the wrong way messes up the whole knot. It reminded me of our relay race in Track last spring. Our exchange zones were ‘off’ by one simple step, and we could not hand off the baton efficiently. Translated, this showed me how one little mistake can cost me greatly but is easily remedied,” explained Sam Haines ’23.

Academic achievement is inextricably linked to the emotional, physical, and social factors that shape each student’s ability to engage and thrive in school fully. When you have a purpose, and you belong, you succeed. “Never forget who a student can become,” Isa says as he delicately tugs the narrow side to perfectly cinch the knot.