Why is The Gentlemen's League Needed?
Say their names: Michael Brown, Cameron Tillman, Jordan Davis, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin. All of these young Black boys, ages 18, 14, 17, 12, and 17 respectively, were all killed too soon at the hands of law enforcement. The list of young, Black males whose lives were cut short is exhaustive. For years and years, the lives and bodies of young, Black boys have been under attack.
At some point little Black boys who were once described as cute and innocent, grow up and become dangerous and threatening in the eyes of others. Illustrating this, Black males have been found to be suspended at a much higher rate, four times more likely, than their white counterparts (Kang- Brown et al, 2013). The world is demanding change. Work must be organized to assist in improving the lives and outcomes of Black boys across the United States. Black boys’ lives matter. It’s time that we show them that they really matter."
Our Solution
If we want Boys of Color to be holistically successful in school and life, then they must experience environments where they feel seen, heard, and deeply known.
The Gentlemen’s League is an all-male mentorship program that serves Boys of Color in grades 3-12, through whole-child targeted supports, incentive program, social-emotional development, and intentional mentoring that creates opportunities for children to experience joy and success. The overarching goal for The Gentlemen’s League Mentoring program is to reduce suspension rates, and to improve student achievement and increase graduation rates, which will ultimately decrease the juvenile violent crime rates for homicide, assault, and violent behavior.
OUR MISSION
Intervening in the lives of at-risk boys, in order to provide them with alternatives that will lead them away from a life of crime and violence, and lead them to a life of achievement. Our mission is to educate, empower, and enrich our males.
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Cultivating joy in schools where boys of color can be holistically successful in school and life.
OUR OBJECTIVES
The Gentlemen’s League’s vision is to instill in the youth the values of mainstream America, while respecting the existing values of the individual. This project has 3 objectives that will lead to our impact:
OUR LEARNING OUTCOMES
Excellence
We seek knowledge and skills. We get smarter through hard work, persistence and learning from failure. We celebrate the small victories. We know that success in anything is the result of continual practice.
Fellowship
We know who we are as individuals & how we are connected to others in the world. We trust, respect, show companionship to one another. We take responsibility for creating a community in which all members feel safe and comfortable expressing their true selves.
Integrity
We believe that all actions should be guided by honesty, morals and fairness. We strive to accept responsibility for one’s own actions, and have a personal sense of what is right and wrong.
Joy
We find joy in every experience. We celebrate the joy of learning and personal discovery. We create environments rich with smiles and laughter.
OUR MISSION
Intervening in the lives of at-risk boys, in order to provide them with alternatives that will lead them away from a life of crime and violence, and lead them to a life of achievement. Our mission is to educate, empower, and enrich our males.
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Cultivating joy in schools where boys of color can be holistically successful in school and life.
OUR OBJECTIVES
The Gentlemen’s League’s vision is to instill in the youth the values of mainstream America, while respecting the existing values of the individual. This project has 3 objectives that will lead to our impact:
- Increase the representation of Males of color in K-12 schools: Imagine Boys of Color having access to positive, Males of Color each and everyday they enter the school building. Our boys cannot be what they cannot see. We will work relentlessly to increase the availability of quality mentoring for boys of color by recruiting more caring, committed adults from traditional corporate, community, and faith-based organizations to serve the schools.
- Transform Learning and increase access and opportunities: Imagine in our nation that female students are no longer out performing male students. Imagine that when students enter the program, they are guaranteed a chance to attend college or advance through a potpourri of post-secondary opportunities geared toward the next level of education. We aim to increase student achievement and improve graduation rates for boys of color.
- Dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline: Imagine having a commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion. We will work to ensure all boys of color feel seen, heard and deeply known. We will also push our boys of color to reclaim their power. Our intentional work will ensure that we decrease the number of disciplinary incidents and suspension facing our boys of color. We will work to dismantle the school to prison pipeline by supporting the cradle to career pipeline.
OUR LEARNING OUTCOMES
Excellence
We seek knowledge and skills. We get smarter through hard work, persistence and learning from failure. We celebrate the small victories. We know that success in anything is the result of continual practice.
Fellowship
We know who we are as individuals & how we are connected to others in the world. We trust, respect, show companionship to one another. We take responsibility for creating a community in which all members feel safe and comfortable expressing their true selves.
Integrity
We believe that all actions should be guided by honesty, morals and fairness. We strive to accept responsibility for one’s own actions, and have a personal sense of what is right and wrong.
Joy
We find joy in every experience. We celebrate the joy of learning and personal discovery. We create environments rich with smiles and laughter.
IMPACT OF THE GENTLEMEN'S LEAGUE: |
A PROMISE OF SUCCESS . . . When students enter the program, they are guaranteed a chance to attend college or advance through a potpourri of post-secondary opportunities geared toward the next level of education. Mentors from the program assist students with their matriculation through middle school into high school and into post-secondary opportunities.
Short Term Impact: Students who participate in the Gentlemen’s League will be tracked quarterly to determine the effectiveness of the program. The short term impact of the program:
Long Term Impact: Statistics show that males who are enrolled into a mentorship program are more likely to attend a college or university. Students who participate in the program and graduate statistically have no further negative contact with violations of student conduct codes or the law. When students enter the program, they are guaranteed a chance to attend college or advance through a potpourri of post-secondary opportunities geared toward the next level of education. Other long term effects are:
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In the News
How The Gentlemen’s League is setting up young Memphis men for success |
The Gentlemen’s League engages with young men over breakfast |
Young male students ‘cannot be what they cannot see’ |
Executive Director recognized on The Ellen Show |
The Importance of Black Male Leadership in Education (ft. Dr. Archie Moss Jr.) |