Organizations

Black Male Achievement: It’s More Than Just Good Grades

Published February 22, 2012 |

Black Male Achievement: It’s More Than Just Good Grades

December 20, 2011 | by Stephanie

The other day, I came across Gene Marks's controversial Forbes article, “If I Were a Poor Black Kid.” It describes economic inequality as the most important issue of our time, as marked by President Obama in a poignant speech he gave recently in Kansas. Marks, a white, middle-aged tech writer, discusses how if he were a poor black kid, he would make sure to receive the best grades possible. But the obstacles poor black kids face in this country go far beyond studying hard and getting straight A's. The article grossly minimizes the reality of inequality faced by black people and other disenfranchised groups. Marks clearly does not understand what life is like for poor black kids.

Though I'm on staff at the Campaign for Black Male Achievement here at the Open Society Foundations, I’m not a black kid either. I’m Latina and can only speak to my own experience. But whatever our ethnic or racial background, it’s much more important to fight inequality than it is to waste time claiming what we would do if we were someone else. In the last quarter of 2011, the campaign's grantees and partners did just that.

Highlights include three exciting new partnerships. With Echoing Green, we announced a new fellowship program for individuals dedicated to improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the United States. It is the first fellowship program of its kind that targets social entrepreneurs who are starting up new organizations in the field of black male achievement.

With the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, we embarked on a new campaign that will highlight the stories of black men and boys, celebrating and supporting them so they can lead others in strengthening their communities. The Black Male Engagement project piloted this year in two cities, Philadelphia and Detroit.

We also partnered with Root Cause in launching a Leadership and Sustainability Institute to bolster the efforts to improve the life outcomes of black males in the U.S. The project will strengthen the capacity of the campaign’s grantees and other nonprofit organizations working within the field of black male achievement.

In addition to these partnerships, we granted funding to the following organizations:

For more information on our grantmaking, please see our grants page.

Posted in Atlanta, Detroit, New York, Organizations |

Foundation For Ensuring Access and Equity

Published February 22, 2012 |

By webmaster

February 2012

In This Issue

Events

Building Partnerships

Working with Incarcerated Youth

A Story to Be Inspired By

Quick Links

Visit our Foundation

Books and Materials

Mychal Wynn

College Planning Blog

Calendar

February 20, 2012
Closing the Achievement Gap
Columbia, SC

March 2, 2012
College Fair
Athens, GA

March 23, 2012
Superintendent's Conference
Tinley Park, IL

March 24, 2012
University of Louisville

April 7, 2012
Girl Scouts of SE Florida

April 14, 2012
Call Me MISTER
Newberry, SC

Our Partners

A monthly newsletter focused on increasing student achievement and expanding student opportunities.

In this issue…

This month there are important links to scholarships, internships, and summer programs. Deadlines are approaching, so please pass on to students and families you know could benefit. Call Me MISTER and the Minority Teacher Recruitment Project (MTRP) provide examples of how students can substantially reduce the cost of their college education if they have a willingness to serve.

This issue also examines the huge impact that faith-based partnerships can have on increasing student achievement and expanding college readiness.

Mychal Wynn

Author/Founder

Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity

Faith-based and Community Partnership Strategies

2011 College Panel Discussion

One of the most pressing challenges in communities, both in the U.S. and abroad, is closing the achievement gap between Black males and their counterparts from other demographic groups. The partnership with the Turner Chapel AME Church Education Ministry has yielded important and impressive successes that other communities can learn from. Pictured above is a video from a college panel discussion where Black males share their
candid insight into the obstacles they have encountered, issues they have overcome, and successes they have achieved. The young men on the panel attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, Morehouse College, Hampton University, the University of North Carolina and Miami Law School,
Southern Polytechnic University, North Carolina A&T, the University of West Georgia, and Arizona State University.

In the audience were young men, from elementary school through high school, who are anticipatiing the day when they can serve on the panel.

Click here to learn more about how to shape such a vision in your church or organization…

Strategies to Inspire

I am currently working with incarcerated youth in the Los Angeles County Office of Education Juvenile Court Schools. In one of the juvenile camps, students are reading my autobiography, Follow Your Dreams and working through activities in the companion book, My Dreams: Student Journal. The book and the self-reflective activities from the journal have inspired students to reflect, discuss, and examine their own gifts and talents.

In one Special Education classroom, students have created original poetry, narratives, and illustrations. Their writings and illustrations are being compiled in an eBook as a tangible, real-world application of their gifts and talents. They have given this project the name, "Silent Voices."

Illustrated here are the cover concepts for the front and back cover. Hopefully, this project will change the trajectory of their young lives. According to the U.S. Department of Justice report, "Correctional Population in the United States, 2010," male incarceration rates are:

678 White men per 100,000
1,775 Hispanic/Latino men per 100,000
4,347 Black men per 100,000

In 2010, 2,266,800 men and women were incarcerated and 4,055,514 were on probation.

Contact us if you would like to learn more about how to inspire your students to "Follow Their Dreams!"

Student Profile

Pictured above is Shai Boyd, freshman at Livingstone College in North Carolina. At the 2011 Turner Chapel AME Church High School Graduation Celebration I shared Shai's story,

"Shai considers one of her most difficult challenges as having been diagnosed with learning and developmental disorders that caused her to be placed into Special Education. However, she considers one of her most significant achievements as having received a new diagnosis in the 10th grade when doctors determined 'You are not Special Education, you are Gifted and Talented.' This one-time special education student, took 11 honors and AP classes in high school and has received a full scholarship to Livingstone College."

Shai continues to be a bright light of achievement as she has been named to the Livingstone College team, which will be competing at the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge's HBCU National Quiz Championship in Los Angeles, March 30 – April 3, 2012.

Shai's participation on our College Panel Discussion provided an important example for schools and community organizations of how important it is hear the voices of our young people. It is equally important to celebrate their success and to be continually reminded that despite the many labels our children receive, i.e., Special Ed, ADHD, Dyslexia, or Autism, they are not limited in their potential.

Speaking Engagements…

Sunday, February 20, 2012: Increasing Black Male Achievement: It's All About Strategy. Hosted by Black Achievers Determined to Be Different.

Sunday, February 26, 2012: Choosing the Right Summer Programs. Hosted by the Education Ministry of Turner Chapel AME Church, Marietta, Georgia.

Saturday, March 2, 2012: The Importance of Faith-based and Community Partnerships on Increasing Student Achievement, College Planning 101: What It Takes to Get Into College, and Financial Aid 101: What It Takes to Go to College Without Going Broke! Hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council through a partnership with local school districts, faith-based, community organizations, and local businesses.

Read more…

Friday, March 23, 2012: Keynote address at the Superintendent's Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity Conference.

Saturday, March 24, 2012: Keynote address at the University of Louisville Minority Teacher Recruitment Project (MTRP).

Read more…

Saturday, April 7, 2012: Increasing Student Achievement: Strategies that Work! Hosted by the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida.

Saturday, April 14, 2012: Keynote address at the Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) Summit at Newberry College .

Read more …

Recent Blog Postings…

Parent Education Summit

02-09-2012 18:08:04 PM

Parent education summit, hosted by Spelman College. Registration opens at 8:00 AM. Workshops will deal with such issues as: The importance of parenting The impact of absenteeism on student achievement The importance of third grade learning outcomes The importance of … Continue reading →…»

2012 High School Pipeline Program

02-08-2012 22:33:03 PM

The State Bar of Georgia Diversity Program, in partnership with the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys and Atlanta's John Marshall Law School, present the 2012 Pipeline Program, May 29 – June 8, 2012. Held at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School, this … Continue reading →…»

21st Century Leaders Summer Programs

02-08-2012 19:40:50 PM

The 21st Century Leaders (21CL) was established in 1991 by a group of executives in response to two alarming trends: 1) a lack of people prepared to accept leadership roles, and 2) the difficulty of employees in crossing class and … Continue reading →…»

Community Banker's Association Scholarship

02-08-2012 19:27:27 PM

The Hester Scholarship is open to Georgia high school seniors who will be entering a Georgia college, university or trade school (two year program or more). The scholarship is named for the late Jan Hester, daughter of Lalia and the late Julian … Continue reading →…»

Georgia Black College Expo

02-08-2012 19:20:41 PM

The 2011 Georgia Black College Expo to be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, GA. The cost is $10 per person at the door, $8 online. Students can meet … Continue reading →…»

NGCSU Federal Service Language Academy

02-08-2012 19:13:44 PM

North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) will host the second summer language academy for high school rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in June and July 2012. If you are interested in a job in the FBI, US State Department, CIA, Homeland Security, or … Continue reading →…»

Delta Community Credit Union Scholarships

02-08-2012 15:24:35 PM

The DCCU Scholarship is about awarding scholarships annually to assist students in their quest for higher education. Scholarships are awarded based on high school academic achievement, school/community involvement and submission of an essay on a topic selected by the credit union. General Eligibility … Continue reading →…»

Terry Accounting Residency Program

02-08-2012 15:19:37 PM

June 17 – 20 or July 8 – 11, 2012, The University of Georgia Terry College of Business is hosting a pre-collegiate summer program. The program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors with an interest in learning … Continue reading →…»

Terry Business Academy

02-08-2012 15:17:31 PM

June 3 – 9 or June 24 – 30, 2012, The University of Georgia Terry College of Business is hosting a pre-collegiate summer program. The program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors with an interest in business … Continue reading →…»

Youth Theological Initiative 2012 Summer Academy

02-08-2012 15:00:04 PM

July 7 – July 28, 2012. The Youth Theological Initiative will host a summer program for high school Sophomores and Juniors at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. At YTI, we believe that young people need theology – the study of … Continue reading →…»

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Posted in Atlanta, Detroit, New York, Organizations, Resources |

YouthRISE for Obama 2012 Detroit

Published February 19, 2012 |

By webmaster

Dear high school staff members/group advisors,

I direct the youth-led group, YouthRISE for Obama 2012 Detroit, a partner of Organzing for America Metro Detroit, the 2012 Obama campaign, and happen to be a junior at Southfield High School. Our organization, which is made up high school students from across Southeastern Michigan, is hosting a youth leadership summit at the end of next month and we're recruiting young high school leaders to attend. Please forward this information (see attachment) to all high school students you feel would be good fits for this FREE event! If you have any questions please call or email as soon as possible! Thank you and have a great day! I look forward to meeting the great, young and energetic representative leaders from your school and having a blast with them!

A T T E N T I O N H I G H S C H O O L E R S

LOOKING FOR METRO DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARTICIAPTE IN FREE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING EVENT

YouthRISE for Obama 2012 Detroit

presents

YouthRISE Future Leaders Summit 2012

In partnership with Organizing for America Metro Detroit

YouthRISE for Obama 2012 Detroit, an all youth volunteer organization and team member of Organizing for America’s Detroit office, the Michigan headquarters for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, is hosting a summit for young leaders on March 31st, 2012 for select Metro Detroit high school students in grades 9-12. We are currently searching for 50 young people to attend. The first 50 to R.S.V.P will be scheduled to attend and will be invited to take part in online planning for the event via online conferencing before the 31st. Students can RSVP by calling 313-974-1285, or e-mailing @youthrisedetroit@gmail.com (subject line– I Am A Young Leader, and include name, school, age, grade, address, telephone number, and any additional info to let us know who you are, such as hobbies or interests) before or on March 17th! THE ENTIRE EVENT IS FREE!!!!

QUESTIONS OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFO: CALL 313-974-1285

Where?

Organizing for America 2727 2nd Avenue Detroit, MI 48219

(On the corner of 2nd and Temple, next door to Cass Technical High School

SATURDAY, MARCH 31ST, 2012

12pm-6pm

At the end of the Future Leaders Summit, participants will possess a thorough knowledge and understanding of the 2012 campaign, the President’s agenda, and their importance to the campaign and how they can get immediately in-volved. At the end of all workshops and discussions, all attendees will receive certification as YouthRISE team leaders and OFA grassroots organizers by Or-ganizing for America Detroit and YouthRISE for Obama

2012 Detroit.

We’re bringing together the area’s brightest students involved in political activ-ism, community service, and youth empowerment interested in volunteering for the President’s campaign. The summit will tackle: