5K Run/Walk For Literacy

When the parents get it, the kids will follow.

Eric Brown

Friday December 8th, Free Screening of The Right to Read Film at Mott Community College

The sad reality is that COVID has provided a cover for educational systems to not be held accountable for their failing the students.

NY Times says school COVID closures may be ‘most damaging disruption’ to kids’ education in U.S. history A recent New York Times editorial detailed just how damaging COVID-19 school closures were to the development of America's K-12 students.

The literacy crisis is real and an event such as this can make all the difference in the world to positively impact someone’s life.

5K Run/Walk in Collaboration w/ Washtenaw County Literacy Coalition Every human deserves to be free and in a position to prosper. "Once you learn to read, you will forever be free"....Frederick Douglass

The 2nd iteration of Juneteenth being celebrated as a national holiday has come and gone. I have a suggestion for ALL. Please keep the conversation going with regards to the meaning of the day. Personally for me, it is not about a celebration and I hate seeing the “freeish since 1865” gear. Please people, be more deliberate and intentional about how you honor/recognize the day going forward as well as educate yourselves about what REALLY took place down in Galveston, Texas.

Does it not bother you how commercialized the day has become? I do not want to go into a Target and see clothing that will assist in their bottomline and in no way improve Black America. And I damn sure do not want to walk into Walmart to see a special flavor of “Juneteenth” ice cream on sale. I mean, what the p***k is juneteenth flavored ice cream?

And to the many in white America; quit your bitching about having your day to be acknowledged. Many of you do one helluva job making fools out of yourselves on St. Patrick’s Day and the way you wave your American flags on the 4th of July, you most assuredly have your day. So please, no need to be disingenuous when calling into national shows complaining about the Juneteenth Holiday. Just enjoy your day off and do something constructive; like learn about the true history of the country that so many of you love and think is so great. I don’t get your whining, but the actions of so many do not surprise me.

Now to Black America; learn the true meaning of what the Juneteenth Holiday is all about. Additionally, do yourselves a favor and learn about the Emancipation Proclamation and the benefit to slaves on January 1, 1863. The June 19, 1855 date is significant, but to equate being free as part of the reason to celebrate is very misleading. The folk in Galveston, Texas were already freed, but it is just unfortunate that they were bamboozled by white America who took advantage of their lack of knowledge. The irony of how the more things that do not change, the more that they remain the same (a post for another day).

It is important that WE know our history and to quit expecting others to teach OUR history from THEIR perspective. So many still need to learn about Tulsa, Oklahoma and “Black Wall Street” (again, a post for another day). Most importantly though, quit with the commercialization of what is a very important day that need not be commercialized. It is history, but history that must be respected and treated with dignity.

Instead of questioning my calling out elected officials, the educational systems, civic and social organizations, the black church and the business community; find a way to get involved and fix this mess. Here are proficiency rates of 8th graders from the top twenty-five urban school districts in America.

Detroit and Dallas share the same paltry 5% proficiency rate for black students, with Cleveland just a step above at 6%. However, overall, Dallas fares better statistically than Detroit and Cleveland. The worst rating amongst the twenty-five cities is Detroit, Michigan.

The information shown represents the percentage of black students in the district and the proficiency rate of the demographic group. Three districts, Albuquerque, Austin and San Diego, did not meet the reporting standards to specify a proficiency rates. However, the overall reading proficiency for black students in Albuquerque, Austin and San Diego were higher than eight, eleven and twenty-three cities, respectively.

Just over one-hundred-sixty years since the Emancipation Proclamation became law, when reading and learning how to read is legal; these numbers here are sad, shameful and pathetic. It makes no sense at all and we have got to do better Black America in making the importance of reading a priority.

• Albuquerque (3%/Standards not met)
• Atlanta (72%/13%)
• Austin (6%/Standards not met)
• Baltimore (79%/11%)
• Boston (29%/15%)
• Charlotte (37%/16%)
• Chicago (38%/9%)
• Clark County, NV (14%/11%)
• Cleveland (63%/6%)
• Dallas (19%/5%)
• Denver (14%/15%)
• Washington, DC (62%/14%)
• Duval County, FL (43%/15%)
• Fort Worth (20%/6%)
• Guilford County, NC (42%/12%)
• Hillsborough County, FL (22%/12%)
• Houston (21%/9%)
• Jefferson County, KY (38%/12%)
• Los Angeles (6%/19%)
• Miami-Dade (19%/18%)
• Milwaukee (49%/6%)
• New York City (21%/12%)
• Philadelphia (48%/11%)
• San Diego (7%/Standards not met)
• Shelby County, TN (73%/10%)

Literacy and Justice for all!!!

YOU ARE INVITED to attend 5K Run/Walk For Literacy and the Washtenaw County Literacy Coalition's FREE Movie Screening of "The Right to Read", produced by LeVar Burton Entertainment.

The Right to Read shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read.

WHEN: Sunday, March 26, 2023
WHERE: Second Baptist Church
301 S. Hamilton St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197
TIME: 5 p.m.

There will also be a panel discussion about the literacy crisis in Washtenaw County immediately following the screening.

See you there!

An amazing quote!

My post on the 3rd Grade Reading Law yielded this response from a real goid friend of mine that I consider family. He is also a retired teacher of an urban (Detroit) an school district.

35 ways to make a quick, and permanent change in public schools.

1. Make parents more accountable
2. Make students more accountable
3. Install student dress code
4. Classroom teachers must dress in at least semi-casual attire
5. Allow teachers to expel students and teachers must meet with parents with an administrator upon return
6. No advertising of sexual/religious beliefs/perspectives/ideologies
7. Stick firm to the Student Code of Conduct
8. Pass a curriculum that students can better relate to
9. Teach Core Democratic values, Critical Thinking and Conflict Resolution
10. Give classroom teachers more flexibility with inputting/teaching the curriculum
11. Make learning a second language mandatory from 7th-12th
12. Make health/family education mandatory
13. Disallow student cel phones/ear pods, etc., in classrooms
14. Students must learn to read at their grade level
15. Students must be able to comprehend/write at grade level
16. Students must know basic math
17. Students must learn to spell
18. Students must learn to write in cursive/print
19. Students must take a year of financial literacy
20. Students are not allowed to hold hands/kiss or display any other intimacy while at school
21. Parents must attend at least two parent/teacher conferences per year
22. Parents are mandated to receive/check email communications daily from teachers/administrators
23. Students must have their own class supplies daily
24. Students must pass at least one year of physical ed class
25. Students must pass at least two artistic expression/creativity classes
26 Schools must be allowed to separate students by achievement/grade/test scores
27. At least one school/class level assembly per month
28. Go back to having Department Heads
29. Department Heads will have student discipline powers
30. Teachers/administrators are graded every 3 years by school educational/administrative staff
31. Board of Education members restored limited school powers
32. All public schools administrators must live in the city that they serve
33. Make computer literacy mandatory
34. Medal detectors/security guards with arresting power in all schools
35. Attendance officers/school counselors work together

I am 100% committed to bringing the needed awareness to the literacy crisis and I am the 5K Run/Walk.

Pleased to be associated with the

https://earlyliteracymatters.org/literacy-map/

Literacy Map – EarlyLiteracyMatters Early Literacy is the gateway to lifetime success.

2022 was a good year for 5K Run/Walk For Literacy and there is a lot in store for 2023. New collaborations will take the cause to another level and I am looking forward to furthering the conversation with Ronnie Peterson about an event in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Additionally, looking forward what can be done with First Lady Lesonya Wilder in Charlotte, NC. A speech before the led to an opportunity to be a part of the initiative surrounding Juneteenth and the . The will focus on theee pillars in the Black community that needs addressing; our health, wealth and literacy.

Also looking forward to return trips to Cincinnati and Los Angeles, where success was had thanks to Kenneth D Price, Kimberly Lumpkin Freeman, Jeanette Nettles Davis, Monica Mallet and Adam Aejaye Jackson.

Eastern Michigan University was a very accommodating partner in 2022 and cannot thank the folks (Vicki, Regent Crumm, Walter, Tray, Diane, Cathy, Melissa, Brittany, Michelle, The Office of Alumni Relations and President Smith) up there enough for their support.

Then there are potential opportunities for Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Columbus, East Orange (NJ) the Flint/Saginaw area, Dallas and Atlanta to come on board. One place where I am committed to see this event become a reality is Chicago, Illinois.

The potential collaboration with will add to the year-long bicentennial celebration in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

So what started as a vision in 2017 has manifested itself into a cause that is sorely needed to expand knowledge in our community. Again, referencing the words of Harry Todd; “just doing God’s work”.

And a big shout out to my Sands Rockell Metcalf, Personal Ajay Johnson and my main man, Jimmy E. Greene for their continued support and belief in this journey that I’ve ventured on. Aaron Williams, your stewardship in helping to spread the word is so greatly appreciated. Thank you Karen Dumas for allowing my voice to be heard through your op-ed piece and Ben DeGrow for his continued efforts in keeping me informed about various literacy issues.

and

EVERY village across America needs to be intentional about making viewing this a priority.

The Right to Read Trailer The Right to Read shares the stories of a courageous activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the mos...

This is a must read and necessary book for all; especially those that say they are concerned about the educational crisis in America.

A necessary MUST READ for so many.

How is this even acceptable in the so-called best country in the world?

Time and time again, the projections are spot on. These types of observations have to stop being the norm.

A must read!!!

My personal Public Service Announcement!

I embarked upon a purpose to make a difference five years ago after learning about a 17-year-old Black kid at a Detroit high school reading at a 1st/2nd grade level. This young man folks was in the 12th grade. Not long after that, a report came out of California from their Department of education that stated 75% of Black K-12 boys were not reading at their grade level. Then I learned that as much as 47% of the adults in predominantly Black Detroit were deemed to be illiterate.

For me, as a black man; I was startled and embarrassed, while at the same time wondering how could this be happening in the so-called greatest country in the world. The need to sound an alarm was necessary, but due to the deafening silence and lack of outrage about the 12th grader, California Black boys and Detroit’s adult literacy rate, that alarm was not being heard.

Many may want to act like this crisis does not impact them, but it does. In an honest and poignant conversation that a Black girl had with her dad after learning about the California report; she asked, “How am I going to find a husband?”

That right there speaks to the limited prospects our daughters are looking at when deciding on a mate.

I constantly ponder if the dummying down in society is intentional; particularly when it comes to the Black boy/man. I also question if Black organizations and the Black church are going enough to address the crisis. A national issue that constantly results in totem pole reserving a spot at the bottom of it for Black America.

The cause that I founded in no way is about me. I will continue to seek out like-minded people who are willing to join me to address this crisis and collectively come up with solutions that will move the needle. Our brothers cannot continue to be seen as not expected to be nothing more that a potential occupant of a concrete motel/hotel. The direct correlation between the 3rd grade law in many states and the pipeline to prison is not coincidental.

The 5K events are a start and they will also provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about what services/organizations are available to assist with eradicating the societal ill of literacy that is decimating our community. I am about meeting people where they are and connecting the community to the vehicle that will drive down the avenues to solutions is a major goal of the cause.
The passion doesn’t come without heartache and this need to just stop giving a p***k.

As I recently stated to a friend and frat brother, Ralph Harper; we have to care about fixing us. I say that because about 75% of the inquiries that I get asking what can they do to help come from people that do not look like me. That’s real talk and an issue that I will continue to find perplexing.

Sadly folks, this literacy crisis affects people from all walks of life in every corner of this country. Yet, it negatively impacts Black boys/men more than any other demographic group in America. We are the only ones that can control our own destiny. The literacy crisis is real and my passion to change/fix it will continue.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush established a foundation whose main purpose is to address the literacy crisis. There mission in dealing with isn’t centers on this statement right here:
“Literacy is the key to solving healthcare, poverty, crime rates, unemployment; Literacy is the key to solving everything.”

Let that sink in and marinate.

It is way past time to address this crisis and be serious about fixing us. Whatever support those of you can offer, please do. Take a look at the website and if you are compelled to get involved, support a 5K event, donate or even volunteer; the contact information is available to learn more about how you can be a part of the solution.

Save The Date!!!!!

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Brother Dukes for his words yesterday after I presented my 5K Run/Walk For Literacy initiative to those in attendance at the Sigma Chapter Centennial Celebration Picnic. My Brother, your co-signing this cause means a lot and I want to thank Brother’s Charles Heckstall and for offering to get involved with the host committees in Atlanta and Los Angeles, respectively.

It is my challenge to all Black men to support this endeavor as the saying, “we’re an endangered species”, manifest itself daily as education, or lack thereof; continues to place us at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to so many societal ills. As Marvin, Chuck and myself were engaged in dialogue yesterday; yes, I was preaching to the choir based on our many levels of success. Yet, we still have a role to play in order to end this orchestrated effort to keep the Black male uneducated and headed towards the concrete motels and hotels to participate in the legalization of a modern day slavery industry.

The 5K started with one city in 2019; this year I’m up to 10 and next year, the goal is to have a 5K in at least twenty cities. #44, President Barack Obama (see blow) said it best and we as professional college educated/trained Black men have to be the vehicle that drives other Black boys and men away from the generational curse of illiteracy that is negatively impacting so many here in America. Let’s collectively tackle this problem and prove to others that we’re better than their low expectations of us.

This is not a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated initiative, but Founder Elder Watson Diggs was an educator and I am willing to bet that I would have his approval in trying to make a difference when it comes to literacy.

Thank you to the Eastern Michigan University student newspaper, Eastern Echo, for doing this story:

http://www.easternecho.com/article/2022/06/5k-race-and-walk-for-literacy-awareness-will-be-held-at-emu-campus

Thank you !

https://www.proliteracy.org/Blogs/Article/817/It-Started-with-One-City-Now-There-s-10-The-Race-for-Literacy-Awareness?utm_campaign=Communications%20-%20Blogs&utm_content=211687498&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-95990820