The Black Boys Movement Returns After COVID Shut-Down

On Monday July 13, 2020 a group of young men gathered together to kick off The Black Boys Movement (A community book club for black boys) in Marion, SC. Atlanta Educator and Author of “I Declare” Ms. Marie S. Boatwright was the keynote speaker, Donovon Eaddy (Retired Military) and then Marion School District Board Member Elect, Mrs. Nadine Harris Foxworth offered words of empowerment. While the initiative was held up somewhat during the pandemic, the organizer Christopher Davis continued to keep books and other academic material in the hands of black youth in the community, especially black boys.

Moving forward and evolving into 2024 four years after the initiative was launched, a re-launch has occurred on Sunday July 28, 2024 from the New Mt. Zion AME Church in Sellers, SC; where Rev. Shernard R. Barnes is the pastor. Community members are eager to come together for effective change. Ready to be the shift in the atmosphere because they have black sons, or because they have black children as neighbors or within their congregations. The Black Boys Movement has re-launched and ready to block (vehicles) plagues that bring black youth especially black boys to the intersections of crime and illiteracy. Creating book clubs are great ways to create space for critical conversations. Among those in the audience or offered reflections were (back row) Abdalla Straker Non-Profit CEO, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur, Judge Janette Dupree, Zaire Davis, Mrs. Jessica Davis, retired educator Mrs. Ann Jones and retired educator/pastor Rev. Shernard R. Barnes. Front row; Zakar Straker, Zack King, and Adrienne Phillips. This project came with a huge impact, and every adult was given a free copy of the book Black Boy Joy donated by community members and companies.

There is a great work ahead but it is doable. Considering students who may live in impoverished, socioeconomic communities who are predominantly black and male are impacted by numerous factors that can be Segway for trauma. In such cases the ability to read and comprehend is vital, as the right decisions and choices are made when faced with opportunities to commit a crime, that could result in a lifetime behind bars. Davis looks beyond the shortcomings of black boys and sees their potential, having seen so many labeled as at-risk, who also have high levels of low self-esteem and self-worth. Some are even classified or stereotyped by educators who are non-black as being one or all of the following; Dumb, Deprived, Dangerous, Disturbed, and Devious, which has a huge impact and affect on their opportunities to obtain fair learning experiences in a class setting when the teacher has already developed such theories in their own mental spaces.

While this does not only affect black boys, but black girls as well, however black boys are more likely to perform well in school, have behavioral problems, and again be low performers academically, according to statistics. They are less likely to have positive self-talk and usually don’t see themselves successful. The Black Boys Movement is designed to allow black boys to see themselves in books that are written where-in characters possesses similar characteristics and traits as they do. Dialogue is in order so that understanding and forward movement and thinking can lead to positive growth and development.

So often black boys are introduced to a few societal giants as they listen attentively to speeches given by other black men or even women alluding to the shoulders in which they stand upon. The legacy builders or the ancestors who have gone before to make provisions for now. Davis applauds the sharing of the names of a few of the giants, but feels there needs to be a more in-depth introduction and in a space that allows a little time for a proper introduction. Davis has an exhibition of books written by black male authors, and or illustrated by black male illustrators, or stories of heroism that reflect the works of such great black men, that he includes in the curriculum of The Black Boys Movement. This is a huge exhibition of books that offer the young opportunities to engage in lectures and studies of such individuals. This is an enrichment book club for black boys, a proposal is being made for black girls as well.

The first book that was advised for parents and mentors to read was Black Boy Joy by KWAME MBALIA. Shouldn’t Black Boy Joy be the care free ability for men of all ages to define and express their joy uniquely, intelligently, unapologetically, and limitlessly? Free from Judgement? Black boys need to be able to align, envision and build upon their dreams. How likely is it that they can lay a solid foundation to build their dreams upon if they can’t read the instructions of the blueprint that clearly depicts the final artistic view, from the inception of such a life in their minds? How can they use the thought patterns of the books and lessons that engineer them into such lives if they have not read them?

The Black Boys Movement Membership is open to any black male third grade through ninth grade. We are also hosting mentoring training sessions for black men interested in volunteering some devoted time to work with boys in counites across the state of South Carolina like Florence, Dillon, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Richland, Lexington, and Greenville, to name a few.

Interested persons should contact Christopher Davis (980) 210-9448 email: curatingbooksandart@gmail.com