Why Are We Needed

Why We Are Needed

#BlackBoysMatter

Say their names: Michael Brown, Cameron Tillman, Jordan Davis, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin. All of these young Black boys, ages 18, 14, 17, 12, and 17 respectively, were all killed too soon at the hands of law enforcement. The list of young, Black males whose lives were cut short is exhaustive. For years and years, the lives and bodies of young, Black boys have been under attack.

At some point little Black boys who were once described as cute and innocent, grow up and become dangerous and threatening in the eyes of others. The world is demanding change. Work must be organized to assist in improving the lives and outcomes of Black boys across the United States. Black boys’ lives matter. It’s time that we show them that they really matter.

Background of the Problem

The Evolution of the School to Prison Pipeline

The school to prison pipeline is created when school systems and administrators begin criminalizing schools and creating prison like environments where students must sit quietly, stand in lines, and move like prisoners (Mizel et al., 2016).

The Dilemma of Disconnected Youth

The Evolution of the School to Prison Pipeline

The U.S. Department of Education (2012) defines disconnected or opportunity youth as youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are unemployed and not enrolled in classes. There are currently 5 million youth across the U.S. who are considered to be disconnected (Lewis & Burd-Sharps, 2017).

The Emergence of Mentorship Programs

The Evolution of the School to Prison Pipeline

The Emergence of Mentorship Programs

Mentoring programs can help improve outcomes for black boys which can reduce the $250 billion costs society endures for providing social services to those who drop out of school (Standard, 2003). Mentoring has emerged due to the need to provide support for boys (Frederick, 2001).

The Voices of Black Advocacy

School Needs

Needed Representation

Perceived Benefit

“Schools and staff need to create a safe environment where kids feel loved and cared for. Black boys need to know that you care and that you treat them like they are family.”

- Black Male Mentor

Perceived Benefit

Needed Representation

Perceived Benefit

"Having a Black male mentor or role model was important because my dad wasn’t always in my life, and they showed me how to be a man and how to act. Black boys misbehave because some may not have fathers, so mentors are needed to provide them with someone to look up to.”

- 6th Grader

Needed Representation

"Having a male mentor of color to prepare students, it gives the students an opportunity to see someone similar to themselves. These males will be an example for students who may not have that figure in their lives and may even change the wrong path to the right path in order to be successful in life.”

- Black Mother