Black Men in Education Convening Returns to Philadelphia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dominque Howse, Center for Black Educator Development, cbed@fenton.com
The seventh annual Black Men in Education Convening (#BMEC2024), the largest Black male educator
convening in the country, returns to Philadelphia from November 21– 23, 2024. The event will feature
live sessions with experienced educators such as Joyce Abbott, award-winning educator and veteran
teacher; Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, American pedagogical theorist; Dr. Angela Davis, educator and
member of the Black Panther Party; Dr. Chris Emdin, Maxine Greene professor of Science Education at
Columbia University's Teachers College; Michael Harriott, columnist at TheGrio; James H. Shelton III,
former United States Deputy Secretary of Education; and many more! Participants will engage in a
unique, communal and empathetic space to discuss classroom pedagogy best practices and empower
male educators.
Hosted by The Center for Black Educator Development, #BMEC2024 will continue the tradition of
professional development, mentorship and organizing by convening Black men in education and those
who support them to build a community that remains committed to the success of students and the
school communities they serve.
Research conducted by John Hopkins shows that Black male educators are vital to student success as
Black boys who have at least one Black teacher are up to 39% less likely to drop out of school and 18%
less likely to be identified as needing special education services – especially in under-resourced
communities.
#BMEC2024 will be a live event aiming to enhance the learning experience and student outcomes by
recruiting, retaining, supporting, and activating more Black men in education who are essential to
student success, both in and beyond the classroom.
EVENT:
2024 Black Men in Education Convening
WHERE:
Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
WHEN:
November 21– 23, 2024, at 10:30 am EST
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Joyce Abbott, Award-Winning Educator and Veteran
Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, American Pedagogical Theorist and Educator
Dr. Greg Carr, Professor of Africana Studies, Howard University
Dr. Angela Davis, Pedagogical Theorist and Educator, Black Panther Party
Dr. Chris Emdin, Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education & Professor of Science Education, Columbia University's Teachers College
Michael Harriott, Journalist, TheGrio
Dr. William Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia
Dr. Ericka Huggins, Educator, Black Panther Party
Cherelle L. Parker, City of Philadelphia Mayor
Dr. Vanessa Dodo Seriki, Associate Dean, Recruitment and Student Success, School of Education & Urban Studies, Morgan State University
James H. Shelton III, Former United States Deputy Secretary of Education
Dr. Tony Watlington, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent
About The Center for Black Educator Development:
The Center for Black Educator Development was founded in 2019 to address and accelerate change in
the educational ecosystem. Its mission to rebuild the Black Teacher Pipeline to achieve educational
equity and racial justice is achieved through the alignment of pathways into the profession, professional
learning and public policies to ensure greater educator diversity, cultural responsiveness, and improved
student outcomes for Black children.
