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By Connie LeGrand
Anchor
Published: July 8, 2009

Less than 50% of African American males are graduating from high school according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Some would tell you the cards are stacked against many of these students from the start.

A church in Spartanburg says it wants to change the culture for African American boys. “What we call it is the vicious cycle. It starts with under-achievement, not achieving in school, underemployment, can’t make the money they need and then crime and imprisonment,” says Joshua Quick, head facilitator of Black Boys of Distinction. A partnership between the Promise Land Church and Wofford College is trying to steer a different course. The program is an effort to reach out and mentor African American boys between the ages of 8 and 16 who are considered at-risk. During six weeks in summer the students come to Wofford to learn about life and empowerment through activities like science experiments, character education, and physical fitness. Nothing is sugar coated, and the boys know why they are there.

Fifth grader Kevin McKinney says, “Last year, I kept on getting suspended every time I went to school. This year. I made good grades and I never get suspended.“ For sixth grader DaeShawn Smalls, it’s making a difference. “I want to go to college and graduate and so something good with my life,“ he says with a grin.

Quick says don’t be uncomfortable with the name Black Boys of Distinction. He says it’s how these children are classified when it comes to statistics. “When you see that less than 50% of them are graduating from high school….African American males make up 8.7% of the school system nationwide, only 8.7, but they account for a quarter of the suspensions, a quarter of the expulsions… and those numbers are really outrageous.“ Quick says BBOD seeks to steer a different course, starting in Spartanburg, one student at a time.

Quick chants, “All together”!
The boys respond, “I’ll be a black man of distinction, and I will always remember that I was loved.“

The program will celebrate its one year anniversary in August. The plan is to follow the boys through graduation and see them off to college. When BBOD started in August 2008, it was funded by the church, but a $130,000 grant from the Department of Education made the six week camp possible.

From BBOD website: http://www.blackboysofdistinction.org/

BBOD is accepting applications to enroll young boys from the ages of 9 to 15. If you have a child that you wish to enroll please download the Student Enrollment Application below as well as the Parent Commitment Form. In BBOD, we expect parents to participate and be active in the program to help ensure the success of the boys.

BBOD Student Application | BBOD Parent Commitment Form

Once both forms have been completed in the entirety please mail or fax them to us using the information below. If you have any questions, please contact us via the website or by calling 864.595.0515


Email: info@blackboysofdistinction.org

Fax: 864.595.0516

Mail:
150 Kensington Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303