Recognizing October as, Black Male Educators Month, and honoring the Black Male Educators Convening, for their dedication to the recruitment, development, and retention of Black male educators in schools by providing support and mentorship to Black men.

WHEREAS, Sharif El-Mekki founded and launched The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice/BMEC with the support of 17 other Black men educators in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, the Black Male Educators’ Convening was first hosted by The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice here in Philadelphia in 2015, it brought together 150 participants to elevate the need for more Black male educators and more support for their success which would lead to better student outcomes; and

WHEREAS, the Fellowship addresses the Black male educator pipeline and worked to influence high schoolers and career changers to make sure that recruitment, support and retention of Black men educators rose, Black male educators are coming together and amplifying their voices and those of their students; and

WHEREAS,

these convenings not only provide an opportunity to celebrate Black men in education and the work that they do but also provides a platform for educators across the country to engage in dialogue, additionally, the Fellowship advocated for educational and racial justice advocating for a sustained, equitable school funding formula and better professional development for current and aspiring school staff

; and

WHEREAS,

the Fellowship advocated for Black male educators as well as for students and addressed the beliefs which impacted educational policies and decisions

; and

WHEREAS,

today, the Center for Black Educator Development continues the important tradition of supporting Black men in education, hosting the 5th annual National Black Men in Education Convening on November 17-19, 2022 in Philadelphia

; now,therefore,be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby

Recognize October as, Black Male Educators Month, and honoring the Black Male Educators Convening, for their dedication to the recruitment, development, and retention of Black male educators in schools by providing support and mentorship to Black men

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy be presented to Black Male Educators Convening further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

End