Page 15: Our Community

DR. KEITH BROOKS
‍Former BMT Speaker, and 5th Grade Parent Monroe Elementary

As a teacher, educational administrator, and diversity officer from a family full of folks in the profession, Keith knew immediately that Black Men Teach would be one to watch. He had been part of very early conversations with the founders, attended BMT’s 2023 Teacher Appreciation Week Dinner, and spoke at BMT’s 2023 Celebrating the Half-Percent Conference.

“I believe in the mission of Black Men Teach. It’s important to be able to learn from anyone, and it’s not only a benefit to African American children, it’s a benefit to all children. It also helps prevent assumptions and negative stereotypes about Black males when students get to learn from a Black male teacher along the way.”

Keith’s professional experiences in education have also underscored the deep need for organizations like BMT.

But nothing drives the point home more than Keith’s experience as a parent. His eldest son is a junior in high school. His youngest now attends Monroe Elementary.

“My youngest son was having negative experiences at his first schools. The final straw was when his auntie asked how school was going, he said, ‘The white kids never get in trouble, I always get in trouble.’ An eight year old said that. So we took him out and put him in Monroe in the middle of the school year. He is thriving in that school. His white third grade teacher at Monroe was great, she had a high level of cultural competency. His fourth grade teacher was a white man, he was even better. Mr. White communicates consistently, he’s lovingly firm, and is always encouraging my son to think about his future. My son wants to be a teacher. Mr. White is his first Black male teacher.”

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