Center for Black Educator Development to Convene National Conference in Philadelphia
Leaders gather to accelerate change, 2% of U.S. educators are Black men.
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Center for Black Educator Development (CBED) will host its fifth national Black Men Educators Convening from November 17 –19, 2022 in Philadelphia. To address and accelerate change in the educational ecosystem, the conference will convene experts and practitioners to explore and share strategies for improving Black teacher recruitment and retention as well as how best to build the Black male teacher pipeline.
Research shows that Black boys who have at least one Black teacher are up to 39% less likely to drop out of school and if Black boys have one Black male teacher they are 18% less likely to be identified as needing special education services – especially in communities that are under-resourced. What’s more, if Black students have two Black elementary school teachers, they are 29% more likely to go to college. Despite this compelling research and data, less than 2% of teachers in U.S. public schools are Black.
“Having a Black male teacher to educate a young Black boy is a game-changer,” said Sharif El-Mekki, Center for Black Educator Development founder and CEO. “Investing in Black teachers, and particularly Black male teachers, is critical, and is one of the biggest interventions a district can make.”
#BMEC2022 will provide professional learning and mentorship experiences uniquely tailored to support all Black male educators, from aspirants to seasoned teachers. Support extends to schools, districts and organizations to assist in informing and energizing interests among Black boys and men to pursue teaching careers.
The speaker lineup includes: celebrated educator Joyce M. Abbott, inspiration for the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary; Dr. Travis J. Bristol, assistant professor of education at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education; Tamir D. Harper, co-founder and founding executive director, UrbEd Inc.; Kaya Henderson, CEO of Reconstruction and former chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools; Principal Baruti Kafele, master teacher and transformational school leader; and Kurt Russell, 2022 National Teacher of the Year. Additional speakers to be announced.
To register, visit www.thecenterblacked.org/bmec
| WHO: | The Center for Black Educator Development | |
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| WHAT: | 2022 Black Men Educators Convening (In-person) | |
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| WHERE: | Loews Hotel | |
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| 1200 Market Street | |
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| Philadelphia, PA | |
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| WHEN: | November 17–19, 2022 | |
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| WHY: | A teacher corps that reflects its students helps close achievement and opportunity gaps. Currently, just 2% of the U.S. teacher workforce is composed of Black males. |
About The Center for Black Educator Development
The Center for Black Educator Development was founded in 2019 to address and accelerate change in the educational ecosystem. Its mission to rebuild the Black Teacher Pipeline to achieve educational equity and racial justice is achieved through the alignment of pathways into the profession, professional learning and public policies to ensure greater educator diversity, cultural responsiveness, and improved student outcomes for Black children.
Nonprofit aims to recruit more Black male teachers
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nonprofit-aims-to-recruit-more-black-male-teachers/
Improving the preparation pipeline for Black teachers: 5 ideas from experts
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/improving-the-preparation-pipeline-for-black-teachers-5-ideas-from-experts/2022/10
Education power players: Sharif El-Mekki
https://metrophiladelphia.com/education-power-players-sharif-el-mekki-the-center-for-black-educator-development/
Contacts
Joy S. Jones
Communications Manager
[email protected]
407.868.6269
