Live at the virtual barbershop: Supporting Black students in the classroom
Join us at the virtual barbershop as we talk about life ... REAL life. Being Black in America means many things, but one of the most prevalent issues is experiencing racism daily on multiple fronts. From standard microaggressions on up through direct confrontations, the men who'll be waiting on their haircuts at our barbershop have experienced it all.
Discussion Topic
In his 1933 book The Mis-Education of the Negro, Carter G. Woodson postulated that Black people of his day were culturally indoctrinated rather than taught in American schools, creating people who would be dependent on and seek out inferior places in the dominant white society. One of the significant points Woodson repeated in his discourse was that the entire educational system was structurally unrelated to the future needs of Black children to develop and thrive with lives rooted in self and race knowledge as well as self-respect.
As we think about our education system today, we face the same questions Woodson posed almost a century ago: Do Black children and youth fare better in their lives by going through the established educational system? How can educational values and curriculum overcome the inherent biases against Black history and culture?
Join African-American male leaders from the sector as they explore the relevance of the U.S. education system to the needs of the Black community. Discuss the challenges and opportunities to creating an inclusive system that builds on all students’ capabilities, resilience, and dreams.
This conversation is just one in a four-part Live at the Barbershop series. Register to join us for these other topics:
Leading Positive Change amid Social and Political Unrest
March 26 from 1-2 p.m. CT
Addressing COVID-19 Disparities and the Vaccine Rollout
April 30 from 1-2 p.m. CT
Building Family Resilience by Supporting Black Fathers
June 11 from 1-2 p.m. CT
Supporting Black Students in the Classroom
Aug. 27 from 1-2 p.m. CT
The barbershop is one of a few safe places where black men feel very comfortable in having candid conversations on just about anything. All over America, the barbershop continues to serve as a second home and place of refuge, healing, and compassion for black men.
This virtual space will feature several black male executives from around the country, sharing their perspectives and recommendations on how to increase the number of African American males in leadership positions at human services organizations. Just like in any barbershop, anyone is welcome to drop in at any time based on their availability and interest.
What You'll Take Away
- How the dominant culture has perpetuated racially based deficiencies in the education system
- How to support Black students in their social-emotional development and occupational goals
- Strategies to achieve educational reform responsive to community values and students’ potential to thrive
Who Should Join
- Like the barbershop, all are welcome
Who'll Be at the Barbershop
The Barber
- Dr. Undraye P. Howard, The Barber, Senior Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Engagement at the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities
Waiting on a Haircut
- Raphael Holloway, MA, CEO, Gateway Center in Atlanta, GA
- Reyahd D.J. Kazmi, Esq., Director of Business and Government Strategies, National Youth Advocate Program in Columbus, OH
- Jesse McLean, MA, Executive Director of Western Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio, Pressley Ridge in Pittsburgh, PA
- Julius Mullen Sr., PhD, Chief Clinical Officer, Children & Families First of Delaware
- Claude A. Robinson Jr., Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Diversity, UCAN in Chicago, IL
- Jonathan Palmer, Executive Director, Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul, MN
- George Winn, MA, COO, The Children's Center in Detroit, MI
Questions about this webinar should be directed to Dr. Undraye P. Howard "The Barber" senior director of equity, diversity, and inclusion and engagement at the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.
