making of men

Why the Making of Men Leadership Conference

Level Up:  Mindset Matters 
Leadership Conference       

The Fifth Annual Making of Men and Waking of Women Leadership Conference is where over 500 high school and college students, parents, educators, government officials and community leaders from across the city will come together.  The goal is to learn, listen and grow with the mission of creating clearer pathways to college, careers and leadership development.

 Presented by Believe, Inc.,  the two-day conference supports public education in Oklahoma.  This conference is designed to help prepare and empower scholars to be leaders in our global economy. The conference offers an array of speakers and experts, best-practice workshops, and informative breakout sessions. 

For nearly a decade, we have looked at the data on the outcomes for Black and minority males and females in public education. During that period, there has definitely been an increased awareness of the issues and opportunities confronting our young people. There have been more national, state and local commissions formed, philanthropic dollars invested, programs developed and documentaries produced — all of which I view as worthy investments. Without these, it is very unlikely that any progress would have been made over the past decade.

However, if we are to be totally honest, the necessary systemic reforms and investments to significantly improve our scholars outcomes and to provide them with a fair and substantive opportunity to learn have come at a painstakingly slow pace or not at all.  Data gathered on Black Males indicate nationally the gap between the Black and White male graduation rate has only decreased three percentage points in the last 10 years. At this rate of progress, with no “large scale” systemic intervention, it would take another 50 years to close the graduation gap between Black males and their White male counterparts. As the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s “America Healing” Initiative appropriately highlights, addressing racial inequity to ensure that all children in America have an equitable and promising future will help America achieve strength and prosperity.” The unconscionable outcomes for these young boys and men are not reflective of their potential nor their abilities — but a direct result of denying them equitable supports and resources they need to be fully engaged and succeed. This is the opportunity gap that is the root of the achievement gap.

RESURGANENCE/RESILENCY SATURDAY    
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). For example:    
experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect 
witnessing violence in the home or community 
having a family member attempt or die by suicide 

Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a household with:    
substance use problems 
mental health problems 
instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison 

Please note the examples above are not a complete list of adverse experiences. Many other traumatic experiences could impact health and wellbeing.  

ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adolescence and adulthood. ACEs can also negatively impact education, job opportunities, and earning potential. However, ACEs can be prevented.

The Empowerment Jazz Brunch Conversation    
Panel discussion on ACE and what the community must do to RENEW, REKINDLE AND RECONNECT THE COMMUNITY.