EDTalks: Changing Outcomes for Black Males

Too often our education systems work to “fix” black male students rather than recognizing the systemic racism inherent in these systems and the tremendous harm they inflict on students. The Minneapolis Public Schools Office of Black Student Achievement (OBSA, formerly Office of Black Male Student Achievement) was created in 2014 to address our city’s wide racial disparities in education and provide targeted support for black students. Director Michael Walker will explore common misperceptions of black males, how these beliefs shape education practices, and how OBSA engages students, families, teachers and community members to provide support, build confidence and change outcomes for these young people. Presenter: Michael Walker is a highly experienced leader in youth development and assisting black youth to achieve success. As the inaugural director for the Office for Black Male Student Achievement (now the Office for Black Student Achievement), he works to expand support and change outcomes for black students in Minneapolis Public Schools. Michael is former assistant principal and dean of students at Roosevelt High School, has served as a Career & College Center coordinator for AchieveMpls, and directed the Black Achievers program at the YMCA of Minneapolis and Greater St. Paul, where he managed programs focusing on social, academic, athletic and employment skills for youth. A graduate of Minneapolis Public Schools, he holds a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. This EDTalk was livestreamed on October 5, 2020. EDTalks is co-sponsored by AchieveMpls and The Citizens League, with generous support from the Bush Foundation and Comcast. Audio production by www.callsign51.com. Learn more at www.achievempls.org/edtalks or follow us on Twitter at #EDTalksMN.