Elementary School Black Male Mentoring Program... Here. Now.

What is your Impossible and how will you achieve it?

As a Kindergarten teacher, when I see my 5 year old students, I envision the life that lies ahead of them. When I look at Zyairr, I know that he will probably be dead or spending his life in prison. Zyairr is a black boy and 4 out of 5 black boys will be in jail at some point in their life. And if he does not go to jail, statistics indicate he will more than likely just be killed. We cannot let them die. I am creating a mentor program at my school that will give Zyairr, and other students a fighting chance. We aim to equip students with character development that 1) builds upon their history 2) will help students in their specific communities 3) is aligned with the character traits associated with college-students and professionals.

Explain how the $500 award will allow you to overcome your Impossible.

This $500 will be used specifically and immediately. I am partnering with the national Police Activities League program for the 5th grade boys. $200 will go toward funding their admission into this program, which parents have indicated they cannot pay, and the school does not have.$200 will fund the business suits, shoes, dress shirts, and ties that students will wear. Many boys lack basic clothes, let alone have the resources to dress for success. Lastly, $100 will go toward purchasing history-related books for the older elementary students. I am also partnering with a high school literacy mentor program, and the boys will engage in book studies. This $100 will allow the boys to actually own a book and start their at-home library.

Once you achieve your impossible, how will you share your experience to inspire others to achieve their impossible?

Mentors will also have the opportunity to help broadcast the image of black men in a more positive light to all of Charlotte. By reaching out to various local publications, we hope to enrich the image of the black men. Partnering organizations will have the gratification of working with at-risk boys, along with gaining publicity from the media outlets we will pursue for the program during the upcoming year. I have spoken with the communications department of CMS, who is excited to cover this.

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