Success for Black Boys

We are inundated daily with messages about the challenges and disparities facing African-American males. From educational outcomes, to economic and health indicators, to criminal justice involvement, we are constantly reminded of the bleak statistics and associated decreased future possibilities for African-American males. Decades of scholarly research has sought to examine the complex interplay between race, gender, identity, socioeconomic status, social structure, oppression, and opportunity, and the development of African-American males within this reality. Within education, the field has moved forward dramatically in understanding the outcomes of African-American males, thanks in part to researchers looking beyond the blame of individuals and instead examining systemic influences.
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I was introduced to the work of Roszalyn Akins at a conference being held by the Mississippi Learning Institute. Roz (that's her nickname) was giving a presentation about her program called "Black Males Working." I was immediately impressed with the vigor and passion with which Roz approached the important task of mentoring and educating young black boys. Without having the funding or the fanfare that her program truly deserves, Roz has taken the "worst" kids in her district and turned them into academic champions. She reminds us that there is nothing that our kids can't do when they are given an opportunity and a little bit of encouragement. Saving the black male is not just something just that helps black men. It is important to any woman who cares about her son, husband, brother or father. In fact, saving the black male is critical to protecting the black family in America. It is for her never-ending commitment to empowering black boys that Roszalyn Akins is today's Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:

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