In response to the gross under representation of young men of color in leadership programs in Connecticut, the Connecticut Association of Schools began running leadership conferences specifically designed for young men of color in 2015.  Recognizing the perils facing young men of color in society at large, as well as the lack of outreach to this population and institutionalized barriers barring their identification as leaders and scholars in their schools, education and outreach are urgently needed. It is vital that CAS work at all levels of school leadership (administration, faculty, board of education) and student development to remove barriers to success and advance students to their true potential. As a result of the December conference held for middle school boys, two CT middle schools, in conjunction with CAS, have developed ongoing leadership development programs that promote a shift in the culture of the school in how young men of color are viewed, supported and challenged.

Sage Park Middle School, in Windsor, CT, sent 35 students, the school principal and two additional faculty members to the Young Men of Color Leadership Conference held at Goodwin College in December 2015.  They had a keynote and workshop with A’Ric Jackson, a motivational speaker and partner with CAS, participated in small group workshops, heard from a distinguished panel of speakers and ended the day with a pledge written by A’Ric Jackson.  Excited and full of ideas, they returned to Sage Park and completed a writing reflection on the day and next steps.  Eager for more, the students wanted to continue developing their burgeoning skills and they turned to the principal with questions of what happens now?  They strongly believed that not only those students demonstrating some degree of leadership should participate but their friends and classmates who were in need of mentoring and something to spark a change should join as well. The principal and his leadership team seized the moment and organized a new program, Sage Park Leaders, to heed the call.

The principal, Paul Cavaliere, Jr., created 6 stipend positions for advisors, 2 at each grade level 6th, 7th, and 8th. They organized an intensive leadership training day with A’Ric Jackson and CAS for 50 identified mentor boys.  They participated in a leadership style exercise, created and preformed a leadership rap, did small group work and created intention statements that they shared with the group about the dreams for their future. The school called each student by name over the PA system identifying the boys as Sage Park Leaders.  They were given collared shirts with Sage Park Leaders embroidered on the front to be worn during their activity days to further identify them publicly as Sage Park leaders. The following day the 50 mentor students and 50 identified students in need of mentoring attended a panel discussion comprised of a complete spectrum of men of color from the Windsor community including a civil rights leader, a coach and a high school senior among others.

Following the initial kick off days, the students meet with advisors by grade level every couple of weeks to do more leadership and personal development activities.  They also complete missions sent by A’Ric Jackson via video and are devising community projects in small groups. Early on it was clear that this program had to be successful.  The school and the students stepped into a new approach at their school.  Parents and teachers have raised questions and pushed back against the program, others have supported it.  In addition to the work with the students, the school administrators have been meeting with faculty and conducting cultural competency and consciousness raising trainings. As this is a newly created program mid-year, there is no budgeted money to support the program.  The principal has made funds available to pay advisors and cover basic program costs. A’Ric and CAS have donated their time and training to the project.

Mr. Cavaliere, Jr., is continuing to push his advisors to build strong relationships and to tweak the program as it develops.  CAS is supporting this initiative with activity ideas, resources, planning but it is a Sage Park Program.

The program will continue next year bringing in new sixth grade students as well as utilizing the students from the program who have moved on to the high school in a mentor capacity. Another school that participated in the conference in December (MD Fox Middle School in Hartford) is utilizing the Sage Park model with its own students and conducted its initial training day on March 31^st. This model will be presented at the superintendents’ conference in the fall as well as at staff development trainings and leadership conferences at CAS throughout the 2016-17 year.

Written by Jenn Buckley, Assistant Director of Student Activities