America’s teachers are primarily white and female. Fewer than 7 percent of teachers are Black, and just 2 percent are Black men. Teacher turnover rates are especially high for Black men.

We advocate for programs and policy that make development, recruitment, and retention of Black men in education a priority. Our students deserve to have role models and mentors accessible to be the voice that tells their stories and considers their perspectives.

Youth experience a rough world that will devalue childhood and move children into systems designed to criminalize adolescent behaviors. Though the numbers of youth incarcerations are declining, there are still more youth incarcerated in the U.S. than in any other country.

We speak to dismantle mindsets of mass incarceration and prevent the disproportionate incarceration of Black youth.

About 100 in 100,000 black men and boys will be killed by police during their lives in contrast to 39 white men per 100,000. This means black men are about 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white men.

We commit to hold community leaders accountable for the public health and safety of our communities, advocating for policy that prevents this story from being relived.

Suicide has been the second leading cause of death in those 10-19 years old. In the past two decades, suicide rates in Black males 10-19 years-old increased by 60%. Early adolescent Black youth are twice as likely to die by suicide as compared to their white counterparts.

We speak in support of mental health services and programs for families in under-resourced communities, both in and out of school.