About AAEEBB

an initiative dedicated to developing and implementing a set of evidence-based recommendations and strategies to improve the educational experiences and outcomes for Black boys in Maryland’s schools

Currently, there are 14 pilot schools, throughout the State of Maryland, that are part of this initiative. Pilot schools participate in professional development opportunities, book studies, and speaker series that support the implementation of AAEEBB programming within their schools. Watch our 2nd annual AAEEBB Summit Below!

In Baltimore County Public Schools, our mentoring program is entitled, Black Boy Joy & Genius. The Black Boy Joy & Genius at Pikesville Middle is focused on supporting our boys in our mentoring program. In addition, we are providing our teachers with support on culturally responsive teaching practices and methods to support the academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs of Black boys and young men.

On October 27, 2022 Baltimore County Public School held our Black Boy Joy & Genius Kick-off for year 2. The boys attended sessions conducted by African American men in Executive leadership positions in Baltimore County. The three pilot schools in Baltimore County (Golden Ring Middle, Pikesville Middle and Southwest Academy) all came together to hold a summit for our boys.

F.L.O.C.K. stands for Future Leaders Outstanding Community Keepers. This program focuses on equipping black boys from third to fifth grade with the skills necessary to become effective leaders who make a positive impact on their community. In partnership with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, School Resource Officers and selected staff members work together to teach and model skills such as leadership, decision-making, and self-control through academic and social activities.

The picture above shows our students learning to play the game of Chess. This game is utilized to teach our students the importance of patience in their decision-making. Many of our students not only displayed patience but also grit when becoming frustrated toward learning the game. Those students who already knew how to play prior to this event were vital in helping the new players understand the fundamentals of the game.

The picture below shows our students participating in an activity where they had to express who they are using clay. Many of our students chose things like sports or video games while others chose sentimental events that happened with their loved ones. This activity turned into a bonding opportunity as many of our students learned that they have similar experiences with their peers.

Elite Black Men

•The Elite Black Men of Westlake H.S. who consists of students in our Rites of Passage program recently partnered with the Westlake H.S. PTSO to deliver Words of Encouragement.

•This is a PTSO fundraiser which occurs at the end of the 1st Quarter where parents are asked to write a letter of encouragement to their students. A small treat is added to the letters and hand delivered to the students.

•Our Elite Black Men student organization wore their t-shirts and made special deliveries throughout the building. This is just one act of community service that is a tenant of the Rites of Passage Program.

•What makes this especially meaningful is that we lost a staff member on Saturday, November 12th. The deliveries were made on November 15th. To receive the Words of Encouragement after such a devasting loss was especially meaningful to both the students who received the delivery and our boys who delivered the messages.

•This is a PTSO fundraiser which occurs at the end of the 1st Quarter where parents are asked to write a letter of encouragement to their students. A small treat is added to the letters and hand delivered to the students.

•A call went out to the men in our school community to join us in welcoming our students back to school. From this call to action, the Mighty Men of Westlake began.

•The men were given t-shirts for easy identification and unity, and they began the school year by welcoming students on the first day.

•While this is something usually seen at the elementary school level, our high school students were excited to see their fathers, brothers, uncles and neighbors participate in this event.

•After the call, we began training the men to become volunteers in our school. Training was held on a Saturday morning, and those who were available were excited to be trained as school system volunteers.

At Running Brook Elementary School in Columbia, Maryland, we are focused on providing enrichment opportunities for our students. We have a mentoring program, monthly parent meetings, and family outings

Book Study with Desmond Williams

The Burning House: Educating Black Boys in Modern America

Fourteen Staff Members came together virtually to discuss the book with the author!

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Two day workshop focusing on engaging black boys in learning!

One of our UEE students served on the AAEEBB Summit panel.

We held two parent meetings to share our program with the participants for this year.

• Enrichment classes begin
• Mindfulness Lessons with Baba Jared Parks
• After school sessions beginning
• Bonding over basketball - Time with mentors
• Family Outing - Kayaking in Annapolis

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• Robotics
• African Drumming
• Chess Class
• A day of bonding at Terrapin Adventures
• Two all male social studies classes
• Breakfast & homework help club meets daily
• High school boys begin to join our mentoring program

• 100 % Parent Conference sign up
• Family Meeting
• Reading Stamina Challenge
• First Grade SEL Group begins
• Lunch Bunches with a mentor begins
• Financial Literacy with the mentors

Rationale: Throughout education, black males have traditionally underperformed within public education, to the anti-black culture that continues to exist in America. Consequently, students of color, specifically black males, have been victims of instructional practices that are not culturally relevant and harsh inequitable discipline policies that prevent them from experiencing a safe and inclusive learning environment. Additionally, these practices consistently diminish these students' physical, emotional, and social well-being, perpetuating the opportunity and achievement gap between black males and their counterparts in the educational system. As a result, we are dedicated to supporting this group of marginalized students with an environment that is filled with staff and community members that are committed to learning how to provide culturally relevant instruction and restorative practices through the lens of unconditional positive regard and patience, so that these young men will become the type of citizens that our school vision statement embodies.

College Park Sandy Spring Guide Right Program hosted a summit titled "Learn to Live" an interactive activity between IHQ and NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement). The event was held on Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00 am-11:00 am, in the Arts and Sociology Building Room 2203 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park.

Increase the level of achievement in black male students in literacy and mathematics. We would like to each of our participants to achieve 2.5 or higher g.p.a for all four marking periods, attain two or more evidence of learning measures in literacy and mathematics, register for advanced courses, serve in leadership roles on the Student Government Association (SGA) and class officers, and improve the community by participating in community service projects.

ISI leadership group discussed the poem ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley. ISI discussed the meaning of Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave. 2022-2023 ISI members came back to discuss transition to High School from Middle School.

Marking Period Grade Point Averages Snapshot

Percentage of students by grade level