Thirteen Reasons Why We Must Empower Black Male Educators

Here are thirteen reasons why I believe Black male educators help improve the educational experience and academic achievement of Black boys.

#1 Studies show that the interaction between a Black Male Educator
and a Black Male student can mean the difference between the student
graduating high school or dropping out of school.

# 2 Black boys have terrible experiences in schools because
they lack seeing someone who looks like them and can relate to them.

# 3 Black boys are labeled as, “at risk”,  “in crisis”, or “disenfranchised.”
These stereotypes impact their ability to learn and achieve success.
Black men have walked in the shoes of Black boys and
can help to change the stereotypes of Black boys in schools.

#4 Black Male Educators in schools allows for someone
to see what has been classified as poor behavior and to turn
the behavior around positively.

#5 2% of Black Male Educators isn't enough in schools.
That means 1 in 3 boys has at least one Black male educator
their entire academic experience.

#6 We must change the stigma that it’s not masculine for Black men
to teach Pre K/Early Learning.
It’s important for Black males to be involved in the early development
and learning of children.

#7 Dwayne Wayne isn’t a fictional character;
we need more Black male professors in higher Ed.

#8 Black Male Educators help end initiatives such as Stop and Frisk
unjustly target Black boys in schools by helping Black parents and school leaders
implement innovation discipline models.

#9 Black boys are disproportionately swept into the
juvenile justice system due to truancy from schools.
Black male educators engagement with Black boys inspires them to come to school.

#10 Counselors not Cops!
Increasing the presence of cops in schools creates a tense culture.

#11 Black male engagement improves schools.
We need more Black males volunteering and
supporting our community schools in colleges to inspire them to become Educators.

#12 As Black Male Educators we sometimes can identify
a little better with the behaviors Black boys exhibit because we've lived their story.

#13 Black Male Educators can bridge the gap
that exists between Black boys and the culture of educational institutions.