My heart goes out to fellow educators, parents, leaders, and especially our children as we ended the 19-20 school year abruptly and without true closure. March through May of this year caused a lot of disappointment, anxiety, and uncertainty for our students and families. COVID-19 has exposed the inequities within not only the healthcare system but those within our educational…
We Simply Cannot Go Back to School As Usual!
Although President Trump and Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos have made it very clear that they are not concerned about disenfranchised and lower income communities returning to overcrowded schools, we must care. We simply can’t ignore the impacts of COVID-19 because the weather is getting warmer or the fact that government officials in high offices aren’t taking it seriously. We…
It’s Easier to Blame Black Parents for the Issues in Public Schools.
There are so many myths and studies to prove them depicting Black children as struggling, bad and coming from broken homes. School leaders, advocates, Parent Organizations, even non profits say the same line, “We cannot get parents to show up or come out!” It’s a challenge that many schools identified as “urban, Title I or inner city” have. Yet, no…
For Black Students, Your Zip-code Determines The Quality of Education and Income You Receive
For as long as I can remember, zip codes have always determined the income of households and the quality of education one receives in Georgia. In fact, I remember my parents advocating for me to get into specialty programs at schools in other communities that were in different areas of Atlanta. Even as a teacher, I still see the impact…
“Why Do Police Officers Kill Us?’ A Message of Hope from a Black Male Educator.
One of our Profound Gentlemen Cohort Advisers, Courtney Moyer, shares a powerful letter of hope as we are in the mist of civic unrest in America. This letter comes in response to the PG’s Executive Director, Jason Terrell, call for male educators of color to share our stories in such as time as this. I have something to say .…
We Need More Counselors NOT More Cops As We Reopen Schools!
George Floyd’s death ramped up the momentum of what many Civil Rights leaders are calling part II of the movement begun by Dr. King and many leaders of that era. One of the most recent deaths in Atlanta of Rayshard Brooks has made Atlanta parents join together in the call for equity in schools for Black and brown children and…
Male Educators of Color Are Bringing Much Needed Change to Communities and Classrooms.
I’m excited about sharing the story of Thomas Murphy. Thomas is a community leader turned teacher. After witnessing first hand the work being produced by Profound Gentlemen, he took encouraging other males to lead youth in community programs and classrooms. He’s a great example of how men can be leaders in communities and classrooms. Male educators of color are bringing…