Cultivating the Classic Black Male: “Extinct or Misunderstood”

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Charles G. Barnes Mr., DeKalb County School DistrictFollow

First Presenter's Institution

DeKalb County School District

Second Presenter's Institution

N/A

Third Presenter's Institution

N/A

Fourth Presenter's Institution

N/A

Fifth Presenter's Institution

N/A

Strand #1

Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance

The Young Men of McNair is a school-based mentoring group that collaborates with the home, community, and subject matter experts to assist with academic and social/emotional growth. The objective of this session is to assist the participants in identifying and cultivating the classic black males in their schools, homes, and communities. Through mentorship, community/home collaborations, cultural experiences and experiential learning, your diamonds in the rough will emerge. Thus, each program builds on each student’s strengths and creates opportunities of growth in the areas of dearth. This will foster and promote the overall well-being of the students.

Brief Program Description

Using an ecological approach, the participants are able to understand how the many facets of a black youth’s life intersect. The objective of this session is to assist the participants in identifying and cultivating the classic black males (at an early age), in their homes, schools, and communities. Through mentorship, community/home collaborations, cultural experiences and experiential learning, your diamonds in the rough will emerge. The goal is to dispel the myth that the classic black male does not exist, yet at times are misunderstood. Participants will leave with an understanding of the innate S.W.A.G (Style, Wisdom, Altruistic and Genteel) qualities, that their students posses. The targeted audience includes but is not limited to school, community, residential, and religious based employees

Summary

1. The setting takes place in a suburban town outside ofAtlanta,GA.McNair Discovery Learning Academy is a predominately African-American elementary school, where 100% of the students receive free lunch. The Young Men of McNair is a school-based mentoring group that collaborates with the home, community, and subject matter experts. The objective of this session is to assist the participants in identifying and cultivating the classic black males in their schools, homes, and communities. Through mentorship, community/home collaborations, cultural experiences and experiential learning, your diamonds in the rough will emerge. Thus, each program builds on each student’s strengths and creates opportunities of growth in the areas of dearth. Exposing your students to the following experiences can lead to academic and social/emotional growth:

• Academic Advisement
• College & Career Readiness
• Chivalry & Etiquette
• Resume Writing
• Importance of Developing Positive Interpersonal Relationships
• Developing Positive Self-esteem
• Decision Making Skills
• Proper Grooming Techniques
• Fine Dinning

I will provide the participants with a template that provides hands on/practical strategies to cultivate, motivate and inspire their students to strive for excellence. The goal is to dispel the myth that the classic black male does not exist, yet at times are misunderstood. Participants will leave with an understanding of the innate S.W.A.G (Style, Wisdom, Altruistic and Genteel) qualities, that their students posses.

Evidence

Given the documented challenges of Black boys and men in research and interventions, alternative approaches to addressing their varying health and safety needs are warranted (Reid, 2015; Watkins, 2012; Watkins & Jefferson, 2013). For example, one effort to understand the experiences and needs of boys and men of color in the United States is President Barak Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, which was developedto combine federal, state, local government, human services, philanthropy, and business sector resources to improve the conditions of young men of color (Barbarin et al., 2016). Such efforts explore the role of community generated resources as a necessary component to improving the safety and well-being of boys and men of color.

Some scholars argue that the most effective approaches to improving the safety and well-being of Black boys and men are still a matter of debate; however, accessibility to psychosocial, economic, and health resources and supports is a critical consideration (Reid, 2015). Identifying and monitoring where and which social determinants cause the most problems for Black boys and men can allow policy makers and practitioners to direct resources to these subgroups more appropriately (Barbarin et al., 2016). Likewise, many of the challenges Black boys and men face can be addressed through school and/or community-based interventions that promote increased self-esteem. Therefore, resources aimed at supporting programs for these young Black men could be provided for and across institutions where disparities exist.

Biographical Sketch

Charles has over twenty three years of combined academic and professional experience which has provided him with the knowledge of current trends and relevant counseling modalities. His experience in youth development with (K-12) students and counseling a diverse group of youth in Title I public schools, residential treatment and the community sector, makes him a qualified presenter for the National Youth at Risk Conference. His ability to assess school needs and collaborate with key stakeholders to address academic, social and emotional needs drives his mantra: “How are students and parents better as a result of what I do?”

The ability to develop positive interpersonal relationships with community and business partners has led to Charles acquiring resources that promote attendance, pro-social skills development, drug prevention/school safety and academic achievement. As a result, his schools have received the State-wide Governor’s Red Ribbon Award of Excellence for about 11 years, been named as a Distinguished Title I School (Tilson Elementary School) the recipient of the Atlanta Falcons and Rooms to Go Initiatives, McDonald’s Corporation, Eastlake YMCA and a partnership with the Atlanta Dreams. He received the Atlanta Braves/BellSouth Educator of the Year Award along with being selected as the Employee of the Month. In addition to his counseling skills, Charles provided staff development and resources for all stakeholders in the areas of: College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI), Bullying, Conflict-Resolution, Anger-Management, Developing Positive Self-Esteem, Georgia Law Related Education, Gang-Awareness, Second Step, and Nurturing Parenting Skills. His professional affiliations with America School Counselors Association, Georgia School Counselors Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society and a National Youth at Risk participants since 2008, allows him to stay abreast of the most current trends and relevant counseling modalities. He strongly feels that his role in bridging the gap between the home, school and community, is vital to ensuring that equity and access are available to all students.

Keyword Descriptors

African-American males, mentorship, cultivating, leadership, ecological approach, altruistic, genteel.

Presentation Year

2017

Start Date

3-7-2017 4:00 PM

End Date

3-7-2017 5:30 PM

Recommended Citation

Barnes, Charles G. Mr., "Cultivating the Classic Black Male: “Extinct or Misunderstood”" (2017). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 157.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2017/2017/157