Engaging Black Communities in Public Schools Begins with the Black Church

Outreach is a critical piece to community engagement and how schools build relationships with Black families. Many Black parents are judged by stereotypes and prejudices that often prevent them from being partners of public schools. School Districts across the Nation are struggling with how to effectively engage Black communities and families in order to enhance the way Black boys learn. Engagement not only shows how we educate and empower not only our Black boys, but the families and communities that rear them.

Engaging Black churches in educational programs helps Black boys find success pathways.

How we engage, held accountable and connect Black parents as partners to public schools truly shapes the way our Black boys learn. Our public schools continue failing to reach success because they fail to reach Black boys and their families.

Community engagement isn't a separate area of education, it's a part of it's heartbeat. For example, there are several ways faith based organizations such as churches can meet the needs of the Black boys and their families. These essential spiritual and community institutions have the opportunity to provide character development and mentoring of Black boys. This not only support social, emotional learning but can enhance career and trade skills exposure.

Faith leaders and organizations can partner with schools to provide important life skills to Black boys. 

Public schools often do not have the capacity to fully support Black boys in these areas. Boys, especially Black boys in America, need assistance in overcoming the road blocks preventing them from being successful in school. Churches can assist with this by providing mentoring programs for Black boys in their community. I believe mentoring program from the community can be replicated and implemented throughout our public schools.

It is important for local churches to become a part of the planning process with schools and offer support to their efforts in educating Black boys. Black boys do not function well academically if they have not eaten. Many of them and their parents rely solely on the breakfast and lunch as their source of nourishment throughout the year. During the summer, many suffer due to a lack of food. Local churches can fill this gap by providing hot/cold breakfast and lunch as well as a safe place for Black boys to connect with other young people. Some Black boys don't even get the opportunity to explore the world of culture and careers in school. They can get it from the communities around them.

Institutions of faith have another great opportunity to partner with our school systems and community to enhance the lives of Black boys. 

Members of organizations within the church can organize, facilitate, sponsor and chaperone field as well as virtual trips which expose the children to historical places and events, political and social change, as well as under exposed potential careers. During my tenure as a Black male teacher, there has been an increase in violence around and in our schools. Black boys are being verbally, mentally and physically attacked before they even reach the school doors.  Safe routes to schools are important. Not just to ensure Black boys are making it to school, but to help erase the distractions that steer them away from going to school.

Faith based institutions can help with this. Churches can join with the neighborhood associations and their community schools to create "Safety Corridors". It's also a great way to get Black males and retirees engaged. Having them serve as a support to parents and students by walking with Black boys in the neighborhood to school helps. Black men can also became a positive presence around the school. This partnership with a local school is beneficial to the Black boys and their families. It is also a great way to partner with and engage the faith based community in a more active and tangible role in our public schools.