Accelerating African American Male Student Achievement
2008 Conference Highlights
AVID Center, the College Board and the National Association for Gifted Children’s 2nd Annual Up Where We Belong: Advancing African American Male Achievement conference in Atlanta, Georgia was a resounding success.
Participants gather at the opening breakfast keynote.
Nearly 500 participants from across the country attended the two-day conference in October. Presentations addressed issues facing the educational status of African American male students and solutions for closing the achievement gap. Group discussions examined how to accelerate educational access and equity by utilizing rigorous curriculum as a vehicle for change.
Keynote speaker Dr. Juwanza Kunjufu (right) with AVID’s Patrick Briggs and Maria Cobb.
Featuring keynote speakers, Dr. Juwanza Kunjufu and Jonathan Grant Brown, the event also included a variety of breakout sessions that provided direct instruction about culturally relevant pedagogy and the use of effective classroom methodologies. These solutions focused on improving academic success for African American males and narrowing the achievement gap.
Keynote speaker Jonathan Grant Brown (red tie) is introduced by AVID’s Granger Ward.
Student panelists.
One of the highlights of the conference was a student panel discussion featuring eight African American male middle school, high school and college students, representing students who will be, are, and were AVID and AP students.
Dr. Chance Lewis presents in the session, No More Excuses: Utilizing Culturally Relevant Pedagogy to Bring State Standards to Life for African American Males in the Classroom.
Dr. Jeanette Patterson presents in the session, Understanding Culture: African American Male Students Surviving in Suburbia School Systems.
Dr. Darlene Willis presents in the session, Understanding Parents and Educators Working TOGETHER to Ensure the Educational Success of African American Males.
A dozen breakout sessions were offered to participants.
Rockdale County High School choir during a stirring performance at the luncheon.
AVID’s Robin Withers and keynote speaker, Dr. Kunjufu set up for a book signing.
George Miller proudly displays his African American art.
Keynote Speakers Bios
Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu
Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu is an educational consultant, mentor, author and lecturer. With over 30 different workshops, Dr. Kunjufu addresses a variety of audiences, including students, parents, teachers, and community residents. He has dedicated his life to uplifting communities. The author of more than two dozen books, Kunjufu’s works include:Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, Vol. 1 and Motivating Black Youth to Work; Children Are the Reward of Life; Lessons from History; A Celebration in Blackness; Elementary & High School; To Be Popular or Smart: The Black Peer Group; Adam Where Are You?; Satan, I’m Taking Back My Health; and State of Emergency.
Jonathan Grant Brown
Jonathan Grant Brown, now at the University of Texas (Permian Basin), is a highly sought after motivational speaker, and a positive role model and mentor. He is the West Texas AVID Consultant and Master Tutor for the Midland/Odessa area. This extraordinary young man began his journey in the foster care system, and has emerged as the embodiment and the hope of what is possible when any student is nurtured and guided by caring educators, high expectations, a loving family, and a committed community.
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