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On April 30 through May 2, 2009 an extremely important event took take place at Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. This third annual gathering of leaders, sponsored by the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC), was underwritten by the generosity of the Open Society Institute's Campaign for Black Male Achievement.
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The theme, The Affirmative Development of Boys and Young Men of Color, appealed to school, community and all who recognized that this was an urgent call to action. Noted legal expert Lani Guinier has stated emphatically that we must see black males as the canary in the mine. It continues to be a warning to civil society that survival and progress of male students of color is inextricably tied to the fulfillment of democratic values for all. Affirmative Development was a concept first created by Professor Edmund Gordon of Teachers College, Columbia University, nearly two decades ago. It was based on the assumption that academic abilities are not simply inherited but can be developed through pedagogical and societal interventions.
The 2009 Gathering gave attention to promising practices that served to intervene in the constructive and affirming process to advance the intellectual capacity of male students of color. This event inspired, informed, united and engaged all who came committed to increase the promise of boys and young men of color.
This gathering was designed to thoughtfully and earnestly involve boys and young men in important cross generational learning experiences. Youth made presentations, participated in discussions and gave powerful charged statements to the participants.
These learning exchanges were also complemented by informative and interactive workshops, forums, open space discussions and social networking.
Gathering participants had an opportunity to join in on a critical conversation led by Pedro Noguera and colleagues. This critical discussion focused on the unveiling of an important set of commitments or standards to be designed for schools paying serious attention to the Affirmative Development of Boys and Young Men of Color. COSEBOC was very pleased to sponsor this unique and vital work session and equally pleased to say that the 2009 Gathering at Dillard Univeristy was a huge success!
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