Second annual Project BEST Men Teach plants higher education seed

Event encourages Black males to pursue career in teaching

By California State University, Bakersfield

January 29^th, 2021

Black males make up approximately 1.7% of the teaching force in Kern County. It is because of statistics such as that one that the Project Black Excellence in Scholarship and Teaching (BEST) Men Teach event was founded. It is a partnership between the Kern County High School District (KHSD) and California State University, Bakersfield. The Kegley Institute of Ethics co-sponsored the event.

“The response from the community was overwhelming. Many reached out and inquired about future events and asked whether they could be involved,” said Dr. David Sandles, lecturer in the Department of Teacher Education and director, M.A. Curriculum and Instruction at CSUB.

“To be able to provide that opportunity for them to see what college looks like. Beyond that, to let them meet amazing Black male teachers in our community and within California they can connect with and learn from. And hear their stories and know that their paths may be similar, but then look at the outcome, look what you can do with your life. It just brings a little inspiration, insight to just even think about college, think about even teaching,” said Dr. BreAnna Evans-Santiago, chair and assistant professor, Teacher Education Department.

Second annual Project BEST Men Teach plants higher education seed

With one event under its belt, the second annual Project BEST Men Teach took place recently.

“For me, being the chair of Teacher Education and supporting our initiative to recruit Black male teachers has been a drive and a goal for us in the past, so we want to continue to do that. Dr. Sandles came up with a great idea to connect and work with a high school organization,” explained Dr. Evans-Santiago.

This event is focused on recruiting and planting the seed of higher education for Black males who are in the KHSD Project BEST program.

“Our committee feels this is an essential event,” said Dr. Sandles. “We have always felt that way but considering the recent acknowledgment of longstanding injustices, we believe it is more essential now than ever. Our students need greater representatives who share their backgrounds, their collective sense of history, and an understanding of how best to help navigate society. That said, with the current societal context, this event takes on greater significance than in the past.”

“Overall, we want to see success with our Black males. We don’t want to see a path of not finishing high school. They say the school is a prison pipeline. We don’t want that. We want to help change that to where our students are saying the school to college pipeline and to move forward with careers because they can. It’s just being provided the opportunities, having other doors opened for them that they might not have seen that exist,” added Dr. Evans-Santiago.

This year’s lineup included a virtual tour of CSUB and President Zelezny was in attendance, as well, to show her support for the initiative with a few encouraging words as she welcomed the students participating in the event.

“We provide students with those opportunities that they might not have ever thought were possible. Providing this annual event gives more and more students the opportunity to learn about it and to be a part of the college career goal. And to be part of a new path. That’s what we’re hoping. We’re even hoping to extend it to middle school,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago.

The keynote address was from Dr. Fairest Hill, an international motivational speaker and recording artist who resides in Tampa Bay, Florida. After graduating from Central High School with honors, Dr.Hill continued his education at the Detroit College of Business and Golden Pacific University where

he earned his master’s degree in business administration. While he was working on his education he was also employed at the Children’s Hospital in Detroit, MI.

During his seven-year tenure there, Dr. Hill rose from maintenance to admittance then to the credit department and finally on to management. He later received a master’s degree and doctoral degree of divinity from Friends International University.

Dr. Hill is the founder/director of Youth on the Move, USA, Inc. He is also an author, with books entitled “Life Without Limits,” “Daddy Talk” and “Yes You Can Win.”

Also in attendance was State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

Thurmond spoke at the beginning of the event and recognized CSUB, giving the young men advice for becoming leaders and their futures.

“Racial injustice screams for change in our system. You are being recruited to be academic leaders,” he said. “As you think about what you are going to do in your future, I want you to think about how, at this inflection point, you becoming a teacher can allow you to do powerful things for our young people: to make a difference for them, to ensure that they graduate, that they get some postsecondary education, maybe go on to college, but that they don’t drop out of school and that they don’t end up in our criminal justice system.

Special guest, Grammy-nominated recording artist, Jarrett Johnson, also spoke to the young men.

He is an industry professional with more than 20 years of experience. Johnson has toured the world with artists such as Michael Bublé, sang on film and television, performed behind artists like Alicia Keys and is an aspiring solo artist. His passion is to create art that inspires and heals a broken world.

“With consistency and concerted involvement from various quarters, this event and others can serve as a catalyst for change in the Central Valley,” said Dr. Sandles.

“The CSU system prepares the most teachers in the state. For us, that’s an important part of who we are and what we do. If we’re providing the most teachers in California, then we need to absolutely make sure that we continue to work toward providing teachers that connect and relate to the communities in which we teach,” said Dr. Evans-Santiago.

“This time around, we had a lot of faculty involved within the CSU, supporting the event. I think that that’s been valuable,” added Dr. Evans-Santiago.

However, it’s more than just attending the event.

Dr. Evans-Santiago asks that those who have gotten involved also examine what they can do next, whether it’s mentoring or if they work with children, they can start planting the seed for higher education. It’s about the action that comes after attending an event such as this one.

“We hope the young men take away the possible impact they can have on subsequent generations of students as teachers. We also hope the participants appreciate that Black men have a long and illustrious history in education, from ancient times to modernity and that they can be contributors to this great history,” Dr. Sandles added.