Hopkins hosted its first-annual Black Male Summit on May 18. The Black Male Summit was created to support and empower young Black males in grades 6-12 in Hopkins Public Schools and the surrounding suburbs. A total of 68 students participated in the event, from Hopkins and surrounding communities like Wayzata, Robbinsdale, and Mounds View. Each Hopkins school chose five Black male students to attend. Topics included careers, building resilience, mental health, and navigating school.
“We are invested in providing opportunities and pathways for young Black boys and this is the start of more things to come,” said Keenan Jones, co-creator of the event.
When it comes to academic achievement and school success, research shows that African American males across the country are disportionately associated with subpar academic performance and underrepresented in college and degree attainment. Nationally, African American males are more likely to be suspended and expelled from school and rank at the bottom on most indicators of academic performance. Affinity groups, a sense of belonging and mentorship programs are capable of disrupting these patterns.
George Nolan, principal at Gatewood Elementary and co-creator of the Black Male Summit, said it is important to have conversations about equity and how we can create equitable positions and opportunities for our scholars.
“This school district will create think tanks and conversations about race, disproportionality, and equity,” Nolan said.
Speakers at the event included executive director of One2One Karl Benson, Brooklyn Park’s Youth Services Liaison Antonio Smith, executive director of Black Men Teach Markus Flynn, and Saint Paul Public School’s Student Equity Leadership & Development program manager William Hill.
The Black Male Summit was created with the desire and need to keep conversations about how to empower Black males. Many Black males in our community have had to deal with COVID, racial trauma, and the death of peers and family members. It was created for young men who don’t feel heard or supported by society as a whole with the goal of providing an opportunity for growth and development as they engage in sessions hosted by impactful Black male leaders from the metro area.
The event organizers hope to expand the event to an annual series that serves a wider audience.
