Smith says African-American male students should be reached long before they move onto college campuses – or even into K-12 institutions.
“People need to know how important the first five years of life is for children,” she said. “But it’s something about our system. I actually think Black boys carry the racial burden of our system and our society.”
Nearly 300 representatives from most of the system’s 35 institutions attended the two-day conference, specifically those institutions participating in the AAMI, along with students and other dignitaries.
In addition to giving institutions a chance to share their ideas, the conference also encouraged students to talk about ways they can be more successful. Author Kevin Powell led a forum open to Black male students only so they could have an unfettered dialogue about the issue.
There was also an awards ceremony recognizing those who’ve contributed to finding answers to the situation.
“But this is by no means a celebration,” Perry-Johnson said. “It’s a focus on what we’re doing right so more people can focus on doing that.”
--Add Seymour Jr.
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