BMEC
BLACK MALE EDUCATORS E-MAGAZINE
" ... an act of protest. " A DIVIDED STATES OF AMERICA
2% is not enough
TOGETHER, WE MADE HISTORY 700+ ATTENDED INAUGURAL CONVENING
what's next?
#THEDAYAFTER- WHAT WILL YOU DO? (PAGE 7)
THE FELLOWSHIP ISSUEÂ #10 "STAY WOKE" EDITION
1000X2025.ORG @BMECFELLOWSHIP
The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice is a professional membership and activist organization dedicated to advancing the recruitment, development, and retention of Black male educators in schools throughout Greater Philadelphia and throughout the nation.
CONTENTS
02
CEO Message
03
An Act of Protest
05
Stay Woke Recap
09
#TheDayAfter
C E O
M E S S A G E
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once gave a commencement address to the Morehouse College graduating class of 1959 titled, "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution". Today, I echo this same caution that Dr. King admonished those college students that we must "stay woke" during these times of unrest in our country. These are interesting and inspiring times. We must always ask ourselves are we standing on the right side of history for schools, our students and communities? Am I complacent about the issues affecting our school communities?
BIOGRAPHY OF VINCENT COBB II: Vincent Cobb is the CEO and Co-founder of the Fellowship-BMEC Inc. Cobb has 10 years of experience in schools since his undergraduate years at Syracuse University. Previously he has worked as a community organizer, family and community engagement director and a background in school leadership starting his education career and in classrooms at the Syracuse City School District, there Cobb worked for 7 years as a school administrator and then program director for the Say Yes to Education Foundation organizing faith based initiatives and school partnerships, managing an annual $500,000 community grant. In Philadelphia, Cobb worked with Teach For America to bloster the region's Black male engagement efforts as a regional manager of community partnerships and then spent 3 years as manager of family and community engagement with a portfolio of Mastery North Philadelphia schools.
@VINNY2ND_PHILLY
Often times the wrong narratives get played and constantly reinforced to our students about who they will become; there is an implication out there that certain students' life chances are slim and not worth the investment. However, we as educators and activists will reclaim the narrative of our schools, our students, and our communities. Today, we will tell a different story; one of courage, social justice and a fierce fight to protect the minds and potential of every student. We must commit to being highly effective in our classrooms, serve with activism, and love so that we can legitimately challenge and change the status quo that has left far too many of our students behind. We as Black male educators in schools will serve, fight, and aspire to be excellent. Our time is now! 2%... is not enough! Sincerely, Vincent Cobb CEO, The Fellowship Co-Founder
1000X2025.ORG
AN ACT OF PROTEST
Members of the leadership team with guest speakers Brittany Packnett and DeRay McKesson
2% .... is not enough
BY: DR. DARRYL C. HOWARD
I had the opportunity to attend the Inaugural National Black Male Educators Convening (BMEC) hosted by The Fellowship, a Philly group focused on increasing the number of Black men in education. When I walked into the opening assembly, the first remark I heard the speaker tell the audience was “Your presence here is an act of protest.” This single thought that was offered by Vincent Cobb, a Fellowship leader, was what guided
how I approached the entire day at the convention. I had to agree that even though I was clothed in a nice suit, new tie, and shined shoes, I was there to protest. When I think about protest I think of a moment that is orchestrated to highlight an issue, challenge shortsighted notions, and disrupt norms. As a member of The BOND Project, a male educator’s group in Maryland, we decided to attend this
convention because we are concerned that there are only two percent (Yes, I said TWO percent) of teachers nationwide that are Black men. At the convention, every time we heard “2%”, all participants chanted in unison that “Is not enough!”, just as if we were in a live protest. Lets be clear, the purpose of protest is to make people listen and it was important that we were all bringing attention to this deficit and collectively calling for the growth and advancement of men of color in education.
photos of the week
Attending this “protest” opened my eyes to the similar talents, passion, and vision that these 500 plus black men bring to the field of education. Lastly, a protest is designed to empower, encourage, and motivate. Let me tell you; Synergy is real. With our nationwide numbers at 2% (Is not enough!) oftentimes we feel isolated in this profession. This “protest” exposed me to new voices and stories that (re)inspired me to carry on this important work. To be engaged with kindred spirits in the cause of education and social change was stimulating and invigorating. In spite of our low numbers [in schools], I left the convention excited to know that because of men of color great things are happening in schoolhouses and many kids have us as an important mirror for which to reflect upon. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE PHOTOS BY JASMINE ALSTON 29
venture
INSIDE SCOOP WITH
STAY WOKE RECAP WRITTEN BY DAVID MCGUIRE MY WEEKEND AT THE NATIONAL BLACK MALE EDUCATORS CONVENING INDY ED BLOG POST
There are moments in time where African Americans have a chance to shine. For example, in 2002 at the Oscars when Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won the two most prestigious awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, we shined. In 1999 and 2002, when Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys won five solo Grammy awards in the same night, we shined.
There are other times when there is just black excellence everywhere. To give you glimpse of my weekend at the inaugural National Black Male Educators Convening held in Philadelphia, try to imagine those events I previously listed, NAACP Image Awards, and Black Girls Rock all wrapped into one with educators. That’s
ABOVE
Moderator, Natasha Alford facilitates the panel with legendary civil rights scholar Dr. Howard Fuller (right), Salome Thomas El and Chris Stewart after panel on the Movement then and now.
" DON'T PRAY FOR A LIGHTER LOAD. PRAY FOR A STRONGER BACK" PRINCIPAL SALOME THOMAS EL
THE NATIONAL BMEC 2018 THE NATIONAL BLACK MALE EDUCATORS CONVENING OCTOBER 12-14, 2018 PHILADELPHIA, PA
what this weekend was for me. Having the chance to be in the room with over 500 black male educators was simply breathtaking. Not to mention having the opportunity to hear from some amazing educators doing incredible work. One of my personal highlights of the weekend was I had the chance to facilitate the session “Elevating the Black Male Voice in Education.” Read more about that in an upcoming blog post. This weekend, I was fortunate enough to sit in a room full of educators who are the who's who of black education and have my mind blown away with their wisdom, their insight, their passion, and most importantly their love for our black babies. Here is the recap from my weekend at the Black Male Educators Convening. After a full weekend of unapologetic blackness and black educational excellence, I left Philadelphia and returned to Indianapolis inspired. I have a new fire lit inside.
"NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, AND BLACK GIRLS ROCK ALL WRAPPED INTO ONE
I have to take all the gems I learned over the weekend and I have to put it into action. It is time to go to work and do the work necessary. The most important thing this weekend taught me was there is power when you get black male educators together. The rally cry for The Fellowship rings ever true “2% is not enough.” It is not enough and we must inspire more black men to become teachers and we must also support and retain the black men that we have. Thank you to The Fellowship for hosting this convening it was much needed and all too inspiring! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
WITH EDUCATORS" - DAVID MCGUIRE, Indy Blog Post
SAVE THE DATE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2017-18 JOIN US. FOLLOW US. SHARE WITH OTHERS
NOV 8TH
TEACH US ALL AT LA SALLE UNIVERSITY (HOLROYD 390) 6-9PM
NOV 8TH KIPP SCHOOLS & BLACK TEACHER PROEJCT KIPP Elementary Academy 5-7PM
@BMECFELLOWSHIP
NOV 15TH
The fellowship PROTEGE LAUNCH HIGH SCHOOL program at SIMON GRATZ HS 3:30 -5:00PM
NOV16TH THE FELLOWSHIP HAPPY HOUR AT REVOLUTIONS BOWLING 6PM- 8PM
NOV17TH NOV18TH nov 21st feb. 5th 50TH COMMEMORATION OF PHILA STUDENT WALK OUT
gROW IN GREATER PHILLY AT WEST PHILADELPHIA HS 11AM-5PM
My brother's keeper philadelphia: HEALTH AND WELLNESS@ COMMUNITY COLLEGE 5:30-7:30PM
2018 NATIONAL BLACK LIVES MATTER WEEK OF ACTION FEB 5 - 11TH
PAST EVENTS:
OCT 27-29
BLACK PANTHER PARTY CUB REUNION IN NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN OF THE STRUGGLE
THE FELLOWSHIP The Fellowship will address the career T H E F E Lupward L O W S H mobility, life I P L E A D E R S Hcycle I P T of E A black M trajectory, male professional career educators in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
Above. Left to Right: Vincent Cobb (CEO), Sharif El-Mekki (Board Chair), Rashiid Coleman (Social Media), Jovan Weaver (Treasurer), Dr. William Hayes (Vice Chair), Dr. Kenneth Waters, Ani Mwalimu, Raymond Roy-Pace, Tremaine Johnson, Chris McFadden, Aaron Bass, Kevin Gold, Robert Parker, Sterling Grimes, Dr. Jack Perry, Sterling Grimes and Tamir Harper
THE FELLOWSHIP HISTORY In the fall of 2014, veteran educator and principal Sharif El- Mekki initiated his vision for meetings with 17 Black male educators at 48th St. Grille in west Philadelphia. These meetings engaged dynamic educators (principals, deans, teachers, community managers etc.) doing great work in and for public schools to talk about the rewards and challenges many Black men experience in schools. Formalized in 2015, the Fellowship was born out of a desire to inspire new generations of Black men to work for social justice through teaching. Since then, The Fellowship has grown to include an ever-expanding network of more than 2,000 members who serve as teachers, administrators, legislators, clergy members and business leaders in Greater Philadelphia. In addition to our Board of Trustees, we also have a volunteer Leadership Council comprised of 20 highly effective Black male educational leaders who advise and help oversee all of our programing and outreach activity
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VISIT US: 1000x2025.org BMEC | 2
#THEDAYAFTER ARTICLE BY SHARIF EL-MEKKI
The Fellowship-Black Male Educators for Social Justice held its first national convening (8th overall Black Male Educators Convening), “Stay Woke—The Inaugural National Black Male Educators Convening.” The event, which was open to everyone, aimed to advance collaboration, networking, policy solutions, and professional development among Black male educators to ensure we grow and continue the legacy of Black male educators as fierce and relentless advocates of their children and communities. Though our name speaks of Black male educators, we welcomed everyone to the convening, and to join us in our mission. I have a White principal friend who, after confiding in me that he wasn’t initially sure if he was invited, told me he had never heard a collection of black male educator
voices until he attended our convenings; now he consistently attends and seeks out diverse voices. The event, as all of our events, is for anyone interested in social justice, education justice, diversity, and student achievement. Whoever serves children and support those who serve children, we welcome them. My colleagues and I at The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice have set for ourselves a bold agenda of tripling the number of Black male educators —to 1,000—by 2025 Black communities have always known that having more highlyeffective Black men leading classrooms and schools can have a direct and tangible impact on our students’ achievement. And, now there is a growing body of
research that continues to confirm what we have always known: Having more black teachers can have a tremendous impact on black students. Having just one Black teacher in elementary school decreased dropout rates by almost 40 percent. Students who have had at least one Black teacher are 29 percent more likely to be interested in pursuing college. When Black students have Black teachers, they have an increase in academic achievement. When Black students have White teachers, they are half as likely to be placed in gifted programs as if they have a Black teacher—even if they have the same scores as White students.
THE DAY AFTER...
When Black students have more Black teachers, there is a decrease in suspension and expulsion rates. Black teachers have higher expectations and confidence in Black students than White teachers.
It isn’t just Black children who are impacted by having a Black male teacher. Even White students say they prefer having teachers of color. Bias and racism aren’t just reinforced by institutions. Often, these mindsets are reinforced at kitchen tables and living rooms. Many of the White students who benefit from having a Black male teacher will grow up to influence policy, police neighborhoods, and raise a new generation. By seeing Black men in positions of power and influence in close proximity, a cognitive dissonance can occur that challenges negative notions of black men honed by the media and bias-forming conversations. Sharif El-Mekki Founder, The Fellowship Board Chair