Philadelphia Councilman At-Large Isaiah Thomas Issues Resolution Announcing October as “Black Male Educators Month”
Center for Black Educator Development Black Men Educators Convening also Honored
The Center for Black Educator Development Founder Sharif El-Mekki joined the Council of the City of Philadelphia on Thursday, October 27, 2022, to testify in support of a resolution by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas declaring October as “Black Male Educators Month” and honoring the Black Male Educators Convening for its role in and impact on the recruitment, development, support, and retention of Black men educators in our city’s schools.
Raymond Fields, Founding Executive Director of Urban Teachers Philadelphia and Raymond Roy-Pace, principal of Girard College and a founding member of The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice also testified.
“As a Black male educator myself, I am proud of Center for Black Educator Development for carrying on the vital Black Teaching Tradition and for working nationally and locally to rebuild a National Black Teacher Pipeline and for particularly carrying on the traditions of Black educator groups like The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice to specifically address and elevate the needs of Black men in education through important efforts like the 5th annual National Black Men Educators Convening (#BMEC2022)," said Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. "By working to recruit, develop and retain Black male educators because we know that representation is meaningful for our students and by bringing current and hopeful educators together, around this shared vision, we can share best practices and deliver for our students in a meaningful way."
The Center will host its fifth annual national Black Men Educators Convening #BMEC2023 in Philadelphia, November 16–18, 2023 at the Loews Hotel.
