If you have ever done a privilege walk, you know it can be a very moving, and sometimes emotional, visual of how some of us have been given opportunities and head starts and others of us have not. In the video above, the narrator tells participants to take two steps forward if 1) both of your parents are still…
This weekend I had the opportunity to attend the first national gathering of Black Male Educators Convenings (BMEC) in Philadelphia. I was both inspired and challenged. In sacred spaces like the convening, where Black men are often coming from schools and places that are predominately female and White, I try to think carefully about my presence, both in simply being…
Many studies note that there is an over identification of Black boys to special education. While serving as the Teach For America Vice President with Teacher Leadership Development in Greater Philadelphia, I had the opportunity to spend time in classes in Trenton, Camden, and Philadelphia. In this role, I saw 3rd grade special education classes that were 100% Black males…
Imagine that a teacher comes to a workshop and says he is struggling to get his students to learn calculus. He describes them as resistant, unmotivated, and chatty. But wait a minute. An hour later, he tells the room that his students should be grateful to have him, that he drives 45 minutes each way, and that he is highly…