If “You can’t be what you can’t see” rings true, then young Black boys in schools across the nation are suffering. Black men were once Black boys who were taught that being an educator isn’t an option. This urban legend is causing many Black boys to suffer in schools due to lack of Black male teachers. “This is important work that…
It Takes a Black Male Teacher to Swag Out Robotics
A Georgia educator is proving that Black boys can excel in engineering. Using cars and robots, this teacher is making CTAE (what we in Georgia call career, technical and agricultural education) cool again. His presence as a Black male teacher has increased the interest and enrollment of Black boys in CTAE and robotics. A Black male teacher can definitely swag out…
Restoring Atlanta’s Planetarium Could Increase The Achievement of Black Boys
Atlanta residents are currently petitioning the APS school board leaders to reconsider their vote and usage of the $2.4 million E/SPLOST funds in order to renovate the Atlanta Planetarium. Black boys in Atlanta schools are struggling in Science. Research shows that the lack of exposure of Black boys to Science lowers their ability to succeed academically. Restoring the Planetarium could be…
Educating Black Boys Isn’t Hard
Black boys discipline records tend to be longer than their academic achievements and this must change. Teachers complain about discipline with their Black boys often. The U.S. Dept of Ed and Schott Foundation Reports that 59% of Black boys and 42% of Hispanic boys report being suspended. Discipline infractures range from talking in class to physical alternations. All of this is on…
Are We Really Banning Our Black Boys With Dreadlocks From School?
Black boys should not be banned from schools for having dreadlocks. Many wear dreadlocks for cultural, religious or spiritual reasons. They are discriminated against because of their hair in schools by leaders, teachers and peers. A high school in Kentucky had school leaders who felt like dreadlocks impact appearance and academics. Imagine being a Black boy and told you have to…
Black Fathers and Sons Reading Is the New Norm in Atlanta!
Black boys in Atlanta are reading more because of literacy-based programs like Real Dads Read. I wrote about the organization that runs it, Fathers Incorporated, back in October. Real Dads Read has since grown now having 71 libraries/learning centers in barber shops and schools around metro Atlanta. The initiative has distributed more than 5000 books helping to ensure Black fathers and…
It Takes City Council Leaders Like Ivory Young To Advocate for Children
“If we are developing communities without keeping children and seniors in mind, then we’re doing a great disservice to our citizens!” Words spoken by Councilman Ivory Young of District 3 in Atlanta about five years ago. It was his advocacy and attention to children and seniors that connected us. Ivory Lee Young Jr. was the District 3 representative on the Atlanta City Council…