@jballen5 We don’t just need more Black males in the classrooms—we also need them running for public office.
Recently inspired by Davion Lewis, local Metro Atlanta educator, running for City Council Ward A in the City of East Point, I decided to do a call to action to fellow Black male educators who want to impact the community outside of the classroom and realm of education.
We cannot have clean cities, thriving businesses and poorly educated children. We need leadership that is bold, equitable, inclusive, and transformative. Black male who are educators are more than qualified to bring this to the table. Especially in government.
If we are turning around schools and student success, then we can change the bias policies in our government too.
I recall about five years ago when I went through the Georgia Leadership Academy for Economic Development I was the only educator in the room. If we aren’t in the room we are certainly on the menu.
Having an educator run for city council gives hope to the overlooked areas in government including affordable housing, job training and education. The recent Democratic
We need leaders in politics who are well versed in education and who understand the impact of economic development on schools. Black male educators through organizations like Profound Gentlemen are those with integrity, who will put people before politics and self-interest; leaders who are problem-solvers, not problem creators.
Our creed as educators is to lead by an example and act with integrity. “Our children are watching us as they begin to take steps into making their mark in the world. I believe it’s important for more Black male educators to be a blueprint for our scholars in classrooms, in boardrooms and in city council seats!
Yesterday at a kick-off event, Lewis echoed these words to supporters and community residents. “History tells us that in our East Point, the leaders we choose really do matter. They make the difference between peace and in-fighting, or prosperity and decline.”
I am calling to action all fellow Black male educators in Metro Atlanta to use their platforms to bring attention to public school district policies on attendance, discipline and behavior. These same policies mirror those in the criminal justice system that are pushing more Black boys out of classrooms and into jail cells.
This article was originally posted on September 15, 2019 for the EdLanta. Click to here to read it again!
Bio
Jason has worked in education for over 15 years as a teacher, blogger and community advocate. He speaks and writes primarily about the need to improve education for Black boys, particularly increasing the number of Black male educators in schools. In addition to blogging here at EdLanta, Jason is also a featured writer at Education Post.
Recently inspired by Davion Lewis, local Metro Atlanta educator, running for City Council Ward A in the City of East Point, I decided to do a call to action to fellow Black male educators who want to impact the community outside of the classroom and realm of education.
We cannot have clean cities, thriving businesses and poorly educated children. We need leadership that is bold, equitable, inclusive, and transformative. Black male who are educators are more than qualified to bring this to the table. Especially in government.
If we are turning around schools and student success, then we can change the bias policies in our government too.
I recall about five years ago when I went through the Georgia Leadership Academy for Economic Development I was the only educator in the room. If we aren’t in the room we are certainly on the menu.
Having an educator run for city council gives hope to the overlooked areas in government including affordable housing, job training and education. The recent Democratic
We need leaders in politics who are well versed in education and who understand the impact of economic development on schools. Black male educators through organizations like Profound Gentlemen are those with integrity, who will put people before politics and self-interest; leaders who are problem-solvers, not problem creators.
Our creed as educators is to lead by an example and act with integrity. “Our children are watching us as they begin to take steps into making their mark in the world. I believe it’s important for more Black male educators to be a blueprint for our scholars in classrooms, in boardrooms and in city council seats!
Yesterday at a kick-off event, Lewis echoed these words to supporters and community residents. “History tells us that in our East Point, the leaders we choose really do matter. They make the difference between peace and in-fighting, or prosperity and decline.”
I am calling to action all fellow Black male educators in Metro Atlanta to use their platforms to bring attention to public school district policies on attendance, discipline and behavior. These same policies mirror those in the criminal justice system that are pushing more Black boys out of classrooms and into jail cells.
This article was originally posted on September 15, 2019 for the EdLanta. Click to here to read it again!
Bio
Jason has worked in education for over 15 years as a teacher, blogger and community advocate. He speaks and writes primarily about the need to improve education for Black boys, particularly increasing the number of Black male educators in schools. In addition to blogging here at EdLanta, Jason is also a featured writer at Education Post.