PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (July 24, 2020) – Two research centers at Prairie View A&M University are ready to address the educational disparities facing young African American and Latino boys. The Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center (TJCPC), led by Director Susan Frazier-Kouassi, and Minority Achievement, Creativity, and High-Ability Center (MACH-III), led by Associate Director Stella Smith, are hosting the 2nd Annual Summit on Improving the Outcomes of African American and LatinX Male Youth. During the free summit on Aug. 6, attendees will hear from leading researchers about the current trends and educational changes affecting young African American and Latino males.
The coordinators combined their perspectives to share how crucial the summit is this year in light of challenges that have surfaced during the global pandemic and digital disparity in equal education and opportunity for these young males.
Why did TJCPC and MACH-III decide to join forces?
We first began discussing this idea in Austin at a meeting with representatives from several organizations and institutions around the state of Texas. We wanted to see what we could do to improve the educational outcomes of African American and LatinX young men. As we talked, we realized that one area where we, as research centers at a higher education institution, had the expertise to affect and support is the grassroots efforts of community organizations that are on the ground supporting our students who do not have access to support for program assessment and sustainability efforts. We formed this interdisciplinary partnership and planned the First Annual Summit on Improving the Outcomes of African American and LatinX Male Youth to provide stakeholders from the Houston metropolitan area an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and learn about processes for organizational development and sustainability.
What is the purpose of this year’s summit?
During this year’s virtual summit, attendees will learn from leading researchers about the current trends and educational changes affecting African American and LatinX young males.
Whom are you targeting as participants?
We have a broad target for participants, including educators, students, parents, policymakers, and all interested parties that support positive educational outcomes for African American and LatinX young males.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, as organizers, what are your greatest fears for Black and Brown boys in the educational system, and how is this summit going to be an asset for them, their families, communities, and schools?
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and further exacerbated the disenfranchisement and disparities that already exist in public education. This summit will provide African American and LatinX young males, their families, communities, and schools with research-based information on the disparities and suggestions for where to go from there.
This is the second annual summit. How did the summit originally come about?
Texas State Senator Royce West (D) provided us with a charge to develop strategies to close the achievement gap for African American and LatinX male students in Texas. Responding to his charge were persons representing the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Workforce Committee (TWC), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Texas Southern University (TSU), Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), independent school districts, and other higher education personnel. This planning group met over several months to review an extensive body of research related to the root causes and the potential solutions.
What will be the takeaway for participants?
We want participants to leave the summit with a better understanding of the current trends (i.e., police reform, school segregation, COVID – 19) and micro/macrosystems that undergird the challenges and opportunities for African American and LatinX young male success. Participants will also have the opportunity to join a strategic planning workgroup that will be a platform for monitoring, evaluating, and promoting positive change for African American and LatinX young males. We hope they will be inspired to continue to advocate for these students in new and innovative ways. In the current dual pandemics of COVID and resurgent racism, it is critical to have a dialogue about challenges and strategies to support our African American and LatinX young males.
For more information about the summit, contact Dr. Susan Frazier-Kouassi at 936-261-5209 or sfkouassi@pvamu.edu or Dr. Stella Smith at 936-261-3656 or stsmith@pvamu.edu.
Click here to visit the website for the summit.
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By Michael Douglas
