Format
Individual Presentation
Location
Ballroom F
Strand #1
Social & Emotional Skills
Relevance
The proposed session relates to conference strand I. and II. The session will focus on decision making, life skills, communication skills, emotional intelligence, self-esteem and positive identity. When students have these characteristics and exhibit these behaviors, they are likely to be more engaged in the learning community thus, increasing their motivation and academic achievement.
Brief Program Description
Rooted in data and years of various experiences working with black males, this session will explore nine essential topics which need to be communicated to young black males to increase their success in school and beyond. Though the title of the session specifically identifies young black males, the topics in this session can benefit all students.
Summary
Nine Things Young Black Males Need to Know is based on a summary of years of work in Title 1 schools as a teacher and administrator, work as a fatherhood practitioner, work with youth in churches and faith-based organizations and as a father of a young black male.
Evidence
The primary evidence used to substantiate this session is rooted in the various data showing young black males being overrepresented in data regarding high school dropouts, under-enrollment in advanced courses and over representation in the correctional system. The historic data showing the plight of young black men has caused President Obama to launch a White House Initiative entitled My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to Build Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color. It is the proposer’s position that mentoring, partnerships and providing educational opportunities to young men of color can impact the various data and provide better outcomes for young men of color.
Biographical Sketch
Kevin L. Smith is the principal of C.E. Williams Middle School for Creative and Scientific Arts, the same middle school he attended as a student, which is in the Charleston County School District (CCSD). Prior to his current position, he has been a teacher and administrator in two different Title 1 schools as well as an administrator at a district-wide performing arts magnet school.
Kevin has been a speaker for CCSD Title 1 Parent Advisory Council events, CCSD Boyz to Gentlemen Summits, State Parents Leading the Way Conferences, SC PTSA conference, South Carolina Association for School Administrators Conference, South Carolina Middle School Association Conference, and the National Title 1 Conference.
In addition to his work in education, Kevin served as a fatherhood practitioner for 11 years with the Father to Father Project, Inc. located in North Charleston, SC and has been a radio talk show host for 9 years. He has also been a contributing writer for “Native” and “Living Roots” magazines.
Keyword Descriptors
Black Males Achievement
Presentation Year
2015
Start Date
3-2-2015 1:15 PM
End Date
3-2-2015 2:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Smith, Kevin L., "Nine Things Young Black Males Need to Know" (2015). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 80.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2015/2015/80
Included in
Nine Things Young Black Males Need to Know
Ballroom F
Rooted in data and years of various experiences working with black males, this session will explore nine essential topics which need to be communicated to young black males to increase their success in school and beyond. Though the title of the session specifically identifies young black males, the topics in this session can benefit all students.
