Black Men in Education: A Collective Recommitment in Philadelphia, PA
- Dr. Sharon H. Porter
- 40 minutes ago
- 5 min read
By Dr. Sharon H. Porter | Saturday, November 21, 2025 | EducationFIRST
In a powerful demonstration of dedication to the future of education, over 1,400 educators, advocates, and thought leaders—primarily Black men—converged in Philadelphia, PA, from November 20-22 for the 8th annual Black Male Educator Convening (#BMEC2025), hosted by the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED).
More than just a conference, the three-day event served as a critical forum and a "soul-sustaining" family reunion, reaffirming the indispensable value of Black men in the classroom at a time when teacher shortages are worsening and diversity initiatives are under fire. The focus was clear: strengthening the Black teacher pipeline, sharing best practices rooted in the Black Teaching Tradition, and championing policies that support Black students and educators.
Amplifying the Black Teacher Pipeline
The urgency of the convening is underscored by stark statistics: Black students make up nearly 15% of the student population, but Black teachers account for only about six to seven percent of all teachers, with the number of Black male teachers dropping even more drastically, to as low as 2% nationally.
As CBED’s Chief Program Officer, Dr. Orpheus Williams, emphasized, increasing the presence of Black male educators dramatically improves outcomes for Black students, leading to an immediate improvement in engagement, a decrease in disciplinary actions, and higher academic achievement. The Convening tackles this issue head-on, building on CBED’s work to create pathways like the "Teaching Academy" in high schools to expose Black students to the profession.
CBED's Pipeline: From High School to Career
The Center for Black Educator Development, founded by veteran Philadelphia educator Sharif El-Mekki, works on the philosophy that to achieve educational equity, the Black teacher pipeline—which was systematically dismantled following Brown v. Board—must be rebuilt.
The Teaching Academy
CBED's flagship initiative for high school students is the Teaching Academy, a multi-year, accredited Career & Technical Education (CTE) course.
Curriculum: The course uses the LeCount-Catto Curriculum, which grounds scholarly materials in a Black pedagogical framework. The goal is to help students connect teaching with social activism and liberation.
Dual Enrollment: By partnering with higher education institutions, the Teaching Academy allows students to earn college credits through dual enrollment, providing a head start on an Associate's degree in education.
Apprenticeship: Students receive targeted coaching and professional development to prepare them to serve as teaching assistants and instructors in mentor classrooms, directly exposing them to the practice of teaching.
Beyond the High School Classroom
CBED's commitment extends well past high school graduation, providing support throughout the entire journey to becoming an educator:
Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA): A five-week summer program that serves as a high-quality apprenticeship for high school and college students, allowing them to provide literacy intervention to K-3 students while receiving coaching and deepening their interest in education.
Black Educators of Excellence Fellowship: This initiative, often in partnership with organizations like the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), provides financial support (scholarships and stipends) to college students and offers a generous retention stipend during their crucial first years of teaching. This helps address the economic realities that often deter Black youth from entering the profession.
Voices of Leadership and Impact
The event's powerful programming featured keynote speakers, panels, and breakout sessions designed to challenge, inspire, and equip attendees. We spoke with several of the luminaries who helped shape the conversation:
Principal Kafele: Reflective Leadership
A sought-after presenter on leadership and school culture, Principal Baruti K. Kafele brought his signature focus on reflective practice to the Convening. Known for challenging educators to be "uncomfortable with being comfortable," Principal Kafele’s message centered on instructional leadership. He compels leaders to deeply assess their own value in the classroom to ensure teachers receive the necessary support to improve pedagogy and help all students thrive.
Curtis Valentine and Real Men Teach
Curtis Valentine, co-founder of the impactful initiative Real Men Teach, spoke to the critical need to re-imagine and elevate the teaching profession for the next generation of men of color. Real Men Teach, which contributed to Prince George's County Public Schools achieving the highest percentage of male educators of color in the DC Metro area, focuses on recruiting, retaining, and supporting quality male educators. Valentine’s work is a testament to the power of targeted community building and investment in the pipeline.
Dr. Jeremy Eddie and Dr. Fernando Branch: Building Brotherhood
Representing the important work happening regionally, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Dr. Fernando Branch along with Chief Program Officer and Co-Founder, Dr. Jeremy Eddie from the Colorado Men of Color Collaborative (CMOCC) highlighted the necessity of local, collaborative networks. CMOCC focuses on promoting brotherhood through community building and corporate partnerships, with a strong emphasis on mental health and wellness for men of color—a crucial, often-overlooked component of retention in demanding professional fields like education. Their message reinforces that a supportive, holistic community is essential for educators to persist and flourish.
Kelsey Nicole Nelson: Culture Meets Learning
Bridging the gap between the classroom and contemporary culture, award-winning sports journalist and entrepreneur Kelsey Nicole Nelson lent her expertise to the conversation. As a media personality, influencer, and university lecturer, Nelson's insights into how sports and entertainment can function as effective educational spaces are invaluable. Her role in highlighting the intersection of learning and cultural institutions speaks directly to the Convening's mission of making education relevant and accessible for Black youth.
The #BMEC2025 gathering was more than an exchange of ideas; it was an act of "loving resistance," a declaration that the community of Black male educators will continue to build their own networks, amplify their voices, and plot a course for educational liberation. By focusing on collective strength, professional development, and the intentional rebuilding of the teaching pipeline, the men who gathered in Philadelphia are ensuring that the future of education is one where every Black student sees their potential reflected in the front of the classroom.
You will find the upcoming release of the full interviews on the I Am Dr. Sharon Show on the FAMTV Plus Network on Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, Channel VP 1006.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (Dr. Sharon) is an award-winning educator, accomplished author and publisher, dynamic host, renowned for her multifaceted contributions to education, media, and leadership. As the President of SHP Enterprise, she oversees the operations of Perfect Time SHP LLC, a prominent Book Publishing Firm, and SHP Media and Broadcasting, which encompasses the impactful Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media, LLC.
In her role as the Executive Director and Founder of The Next In Line to Lead Aspiring Principal Leadership Academy (APLA), Dr. Sharon passionately empowers and guides assistant principals from across the United States, nurturing their potential to ascend to the role of principal. Her commitment to educational leadership extends to her current position as an elementary school principal in Maryland.
