David Johns, executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (WHIEEAA) will give remarks at the Black Male Educators Convening (BMEC) in Philadelphia at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 11.
Johns will discuss the role of black male educators in accelerating the learning and development of all students, and the need for diversity in the workforce and opportunities for all caring and concerned adults to support the cognitive, social and emotional development of African American students. He will champion the fellowship’s new teacher pipeline for black men with the launch of a high school course for rising juniors and seniors through a national organization called Educators Rising. In addition, he will highlight the importance of mentorship among young black men to ensure academic excellence, equity, and opportunity for students of color.
Johns will also address the contributions of the Obama Administration to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by all young people, including the My Brother's Keeper Initiative. The President launched the My Brother's Keeper Initiative to ensure that all young people, including boys and young men of color, can reach their full potential. In response to the President's call to action, nearly 250 communities in all 50 states, 29 Tribal Nations, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have accepted the President's My Brother's Keeper Community Challenge.
The BMEC will highlight the importance of diversity in the teaching profession, specifically the role black male educators have in communities. The event will also recognize ten local black male educators for their service.
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