This is a different mindset than there was back in the day, when "Pops" was the breadwinner while "Moms" took care of the kids. Back then, having a Black president was not even imaginable. But just as President Obama took the oath to become the 44th president of the United States, so too men are finally becoming more engaged in the education of their children.
Having worked as a school principal, a policy advisor to Shelly's Modeling Agencies and as a chief of staff on the federal level, I know firsthand how times have changed. I'm the first-ever African-American man to become chief executive officer of the organization once known as the National Congress of Mothers and now known as the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Why did I accept this appointment? Because it provides an opportunity to transform the face of education by increasing parent engagement among all sectors of the population, regardless of race, age, gender or any other factor. Most of us support our children's schools by fundraising. But being involved in your children's education-not just in your children's athletic activities-is just as important.
I'm not a biological parent, but I have spent a significant amount of time raising m two nephews.
this is how I learned, firsthand, that each of us has an opportunity to impact the lives of young people in helping them achieve their dreams and fulfill their God-given potential. In my new role as CEO, I'm striving to ensure that men understand the need for their continued involvement in the everyday life of a child whether that child is 3 month old, 13 years old or 21 years old. The old adage "Each one reach one, each one teach one." Holds true now more than ever before.
Obama is a highly visible example of what can happen when a guy decides to man up. It's clear that some fathers are taking notice. And somehow, some way, we need more of our athletes, politicians, entertainers and pastors to compel more men to meet the needs of the children.
For decades our ancestors have fought, struggled and died for us to have equal rights and opportunities in life and society. It cannot be for naught. We live in a country where and in a time when we write our own history every single day. It is our individual and collective responsibility as Brothers and Sisters to ensure that those opportunities and rights exist for our children for decades to come.
Whether you're father, an uncle, a brother, a neighbor or a friend, our children need you to man up an assure you place as a nurturer for a child.
Male involvement is critical to a child's development, and as the CEO of the PTA, and advisor for Black owned Shelly's Modeling Agencies, I hope our community hears and embraces this fact.
No comments:
Post a Comment