An African-American student in New York City accepts a certificate from a MIND Research team member, as part of a program celebrating math success.
One of my students shared this powerful plea with me nine years ago:
I am this person lost in the world,
And don't know where to turn.
...Wanting to achieve in anything I do
I want to be treated like I exist.
I want to be seen for more than the outer me.
I want to be seen for the person placed inside of me.
I feel like I'm alone in the World.
I feel like there is no one out there in the world to run to when I feel like it's the end of me.
Sometimes I want to run away to a place where no one can hurt me.
Sometimes I feel like life for me will never go right. As much as I try, it will never go right.
What should I do if the problems I face won't come up from the deep, dark place inside me? Who should I turn to if I can't turn to the person that gave life to me?
Then who can I turn to?
This existential expression rings with alarming truth in an awakening society. It speaks for countless children in a woeful whirlwind of life.
As a former superintendent of the deceased Michael Brown Jr., and also the youngest and first African-American in Ferguson-Florissant in that leadership role, I intimately know this sentiment represents millions of economically disadvantaged youth, especially African-American males.
Nearly 70 percent of black children live in a single parent home, 40 percent of black children live in poverty, and 50 percent of black parents lack secure employment, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book.
Honestly, it's better for a child like the one who wrote the poem above to be alone than partake in the plethora of poisonous options available such as drugs, violence and criminal gangs. Sadly, nearly one in three black males are in prison, on parole or probation, reports the Sentencing Project. Nearly half are likely to be drug users, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Every 24 hours, 14 black males expire from violence.
Simply put, for those who are living to die, the end is always near. For those who are dying to live, the question, "Who can you turn to?" is profound.
Hundreds of thousands of youth are alone -- not reached by talented, nurturing individuals. Who is willing to say, "I am someone you can turn to!"?
Triumphantly, my 9 grade student who shared that powerful plea made it through high school, attended a nationally recognized university, graduated and today helps others in need. Mentorship made a difference. This included time together, trips, tutelage, talking through life's trials and tough love.
We cannot always improve society for our youth, but we can improve our youth for society.
As a nonprofit social benefit organization dedicated to reaching all students, the MIND Research Institute's new Initiative for African-American Males, referred to as I. A.M., demonstrates that we hear the pleas and see the plight of millions of unrepresented students. We stand collectively in support with such organizations as the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, and My Brother's Keeper.
I. A.M. aims to catalyze community and regional efforts and support comprehensive, cradle-to-college-and-career strategies through:
- Innovative math content in high poverty schools, supporting STEM success
- Mentors and volunteers
- College internships
- Leadership summits, fairs and camps, game-a-thons and presentations with students and adults
- Community and corporate partnership support
- Research and longitudinal studies about student success.
I. A.M. is about helping people grow.
A growing number of leaders and organizations are dedicated to saying, "I am here for you." Starting in my hometown of St. Louis, we are partnering with the Urban League's Save our Sons Program, the 100 Black Men for STEM and college assurance programming and the Boy Scouts of America's Restoring our Village Program.
As a nationwide organization that exists for social benefit, MIND Research has the means to dramatically impact high-needs students, in the quest to achieve our mission of ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world's most challenging problems.
Some of the most challenging problems we face include:
- 58 percent of all U.S. 4 graders perform below proficient math, according to the Nation's Report Card; and, students' math ability is the earliest predictor of academic success.
- 86 percent of black 8 graders are below proficient in math (NAEP).
- Algebra is a gatekeeper for completing high school -- around 50 percent of 7 and 8 grade black male students in Algebra fail (U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights).
- 93 percent of black 12 graders are below proficient in math (NAEP).
- 50 percent of the STEM jobs do not require bachelor degrees -- so they depend on deeper learning and preparation in primary and secondary schooling. (Brookings).
- Only 2 percent of all teachers are black males. (US DOE).
- Only 2 percent of all Ph.D. and 3.5 percent of all bachelor degree earners are black males (National Center for Education Statistics).
Despite these disturbing statistics, youth can succeed -- with our help. All minds can be math minds. It takes the right teaching, tools and learning by doing deep thinking and problem solving. I. A.M. is one powerful vehicle for impacting students.
With expectancy, I look forward to that faithful day when these statistics are reversed and more than a supermajority of minorities can join all students and confidently say: I am equipped; I am available; I am in greater roles. I am a leader. Here I AM.
MIND Research Institute is a partner of Cisco CSR. Cisco sponsors The Huffington Post's ImpactX section.