State of Black Male Education (SBME):
The State of Black Male Education Project documents the educational outcomes of students in
Los Angeles County over the past 15 years. The project is currently examining the enrollment,
retention and graduation data from the California Department of Education create a ‘pipeline’
that demonstrates where Black males face significant challenges in Los Angeles County’s K-12
public education.
Jeremy Edwards
2nd year
Undeclared major
“I grew up in schools from both IUSD and LAUSD; in result, I feel directly linked to the SMBE research. Unaware of the misrepresented numbers of black males in these districts, I want to address the problem by enlightening others about these low numbers and finding ways to strengthen black male performance in school.”
Tr’Vel Lyons
2nd year
Philosophy Major
“As a high school student I was cognizant of the educational injustices affecting my peers and I, but I had very little knowledge of what could be done about it. The Black Male Institute allows me to problematize and assess the attrition of black males, and empowers me to make a difference.”
Keimer Raymond
4th year
Sociology and African-American Studies double major
“I chose to take on this project because I realize that in America, Black men have had a long legacy of having the highest drop-out rates, incarceration, and gang involvement. I am aware that they are often targeted by police, teachers, and other authoritarian figures due to a biased perception that they are ALL unruly. Despite this, I know that the obstacles oppressing young Black men can be changed through the efforts of people who care about the success of black males. Through research I intend to, in alliance with the research team, tackle and stifle the root of the issue that has long demonized black males”
Shakinah Douglas
3rd year
Political Science major
“I am involved with BMI because I believe in the notion of linked fate. Whatever affects one black person, impacts all of us to some degree. Black males are marginalized and increasingly disenfranchised as a result of discontinuance of education, incarceration, and fatalities. These are our fathers, brothers, and sons that are being subordinated by systematic oppression. If we do not work together to effectively combat these issues, it will not be done. ”
Not Pictured:
Seth Smith
“Seth is a senior at UCLA majoring in Middle Eastern and North African Studies and minoring in Political Science. Seth transferred to UCLA from Santa Monica College and, prior to that, served for six in the U.S. Navy as a linguist. Seth’s interest in higher education and African-American students began at Santa Monica College where he noticed that black students were not taking advantage of a number of opportunities designed to help them successfully achieve their academic goals.”
Jeremy Edwards
2nd year
Undeclared major
“I grew up in schools from both IUSD and LAUSD; in result, I feel directly linked to the SMBE research. Unaware of the misrepresented numbers of black males in these districts, I want to address the problem by enlightening others about these low numbers and finding ways to strengthen black male performance in school.”
Tr’Vel Lyons
2nd year
Philosophy Major
“As a high school student I was cognizant of the educational injustices affecting my peers and I, but I had very little knowledge of what could be done about it. The Black Male Institute allows me to problematize and assess the attrition of black males, and empowers me to make a difference.”
Keimer Raymond
4th year
Sociology and African-American Studies double major
“I chose to take on this project because I realize that in America, Black men have had a long legacy of having the highest drop-out rates, incarceration, and gang involvement. I am aware that they are often targeted by police, teachers, and other authoritarian figures due to a biased perception that they are ALL unruly. Despite this, I know that the obstacles oppressing young Black men can be changed through the efforts of people who care about the success of black males. Through research I intend to, in alliance with the research team, tackle and stifle the root of the issue that has long demonized black males”
Shakinah Douglas
3rd year
Political Science major
“I am involved with BMI because I believe in the notion of linked fate. Whatever affects one black person, impacts all of us to some degree. Black males are marginalized and increasingly disenfranchised as a result of discontinuance of education, incarceration, and fatalities. These are our fathers, brothers, and sons that are being subordinated by systematic oppression. If we do not work together to effectively combat these issues, it will not be done. ”
Not Pictured:
Seth Smith
“Seth is a senior at UCLA majoring in Middle Eastern and North African Studies and minoring in Political Science. Seth transferred to UCLA from Santa Monica College and, prior to that, served for six in the U.S. Navy as a linguist. Seth’s interest in higher education and African-American students began at Santa Monica College where he noticed that black students were not taking advantage of a number of opportunities designed to help them successfully achieve their academic goals.”