L-R-Dennis Richmond Jr., George Lee, and Christopher Bowman
By Dennis Richmond Jr.
From November 21st to November 23rd, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Black Men in Education Convening in Philadelphia, a transformative experience for me as one of the only 1.3% of Black men teaching in America today. This convening brought together around 1,200 folks in education from almost 40 states, all committed to reshaping education for Black students.
As a middle school educator with experience in Yonkers, the Bronx, and now Mount Vernon, I’ve dedicated my career to empowering students facing systemic barriers. This event reignited my passion and provided valuable tools to better support my students.
The convening provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with professionals deeply committed to educational equity. I had the privilege of engaging with HBCU students such as Glendon Harmon and educators like Reed Driver, a teacher from Nashville, Anthony Johnson of the Belmont Charter Network in Philadelphia, and George R. Greenidge Jr., a visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. These discussions were inspiring and necessary.
Representation matters, and as a Black male teacher, I know the impact my presence can have on students who may rarely see themselves reflected in their educators. Black male teachers make up just 2% of the overall teaching force, and that statistic isn’t lost on me. Events like this convening are critical to building networks, sharing resources, and finding support to stay in this field and thrive.
Thanks to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), who sponsored my attendance, I walked away from Philadelphia with a clear vision for what I want to achieve. I’m excited to launch several new initiatives at my school in Mount Vernon, starting with ensuring every sixth grader has a library card by January 2025. Access to books and digital resources can be life-changing, and I want to make sure my students have the tools they need to succeed.
I’m also committed to helping all my students achieve grade-level proficiency in Language Arts by June, and I’m designing a Boys Empowerment Class to start in February. This program will focus on leadership, resilience, and academic success, giving boys a safe space to build confidence and receive mentorship from educators who look like them.
In addition, I’m challenging my students to read at least 25 books this year and plan to organize curriculum-aligned field trips to help bring learning to life. These initiatives were directly inspired by conversations I had at the convening, and I’m eager to see the impact they’ll have.
Attending the 2024 Black Men in Education Convening wasn’t just an inspiring experience—it was a call to action. I left Philadelphia more motivated than ever to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and provide my students with the opportunities they deserve. This journey is just beginning, and I’m excited to see where it takes me and my students.
Dennis Richmond, Jr., an educator, historian, and writer, illuminates the experiences of Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities in Yonkers and NYC through his journalism. Stay connected with him by following @NewYorkStakz on social media.
