Growing up was a constant history lesson in Black Identity. At an early age, I was exposed to lessons and art from Malcolm X, Wes Montgomery, Goodie Mob and Minister Louis Farrakhan. All thanks to my father. At an early age I learned the importance of having a voice and using it. Public schools too often silence Black boys in…
Tag: #BlackMaleEducators
As Black Male Educators, We Can’t Hide Our Voices or Our Stories!
Since Ahmad Avery was murdered, I have been in a spirit of apathy. The weight of watching a Black man being hunted in Georgia’s streets was overwhelming. Hearing Breonna Taylor’s story just chiseled another chip into my stone of sensitivity. Something was different about George Floyd. His murder has been the first time that I have felt something in a…
Making Graduation a Priority for Black Boys Is Celebrating Black History!
Black male educators are working hard to ensure that more Black boys are walking across graduation stages and not leaving high school without a diploma. The school to prison pipeline is a sad reality for many Black and brown youth targeted by the criminal justice system. Yet, for the last several years, it seems the roadblocks are prevailing. Black boys…
Language, Lexile Scores and Literacy Are Resources, Not Threats to Black Boys
We must be up front and realistic. Many of our struggling Black boys in schools have parents who are also struggling with how to engage them in reading. As a teacher, I create innovative ways of helping parents and families of Black boys to understand impact of language, Lexile scores and literacy on the success of their Black male student.…
Black Boys Are Choosing Prison Over School; Positive Role Models Can Help!
Recently, WSBTV news anchor, Tom Jones recently wrote a powerful message regarding an Atlanta young, Black male who was sentenced to prison. These stories are too frequent and familiar not only in Atlanta but across the Nation. Below are Tom’s powerful words which coincide with our EdLanta message that we need more Black male educators in schools from Kindergarten to…
Black Charter School Leader Kenny Knight Says We Are In A Crisis!
Before his sudden passing earlier this month, I featured Dr. Kenny Knight, Dean of Students, Bright Futures Academy. He shared his thoughts on national shortage of teachers and how we as Black male teachers are the solution. We are experiencing a national state of emergency. The crisis is not the wall for border control, but it’s the wall around education…
I Almost Quit But My Student Changed My Mind
Returning back to the classroom this year has reminded me of a teacher’s journey. Recently one of my 6th grade students wrote this narrative that changed my mind about regretting going back to teach. His story reminded me of why I came back to the classroom. I admire the bravery of one of my Black boys who recently shared a…