A Twin Cities organization is working to close the achievement gap and increase representation in the classroom by thinking outside the box.
At a Wednesday morning breakfast, Twin Cities nonprofit Black Men Teach hosted a “Coaches Champions Breakfast” to reach coaches and help them support young Black men in pursuing a career in education.
At the event, coaches learned about the mission of Black Men Teach and strategized with their counterparts on how to recruit and retain young Black men in the industry.
State data shows less than half of one percent of teachers in Minnesota are Black men.
“What we are trying to do is to continue to look at our Black male students and recruit them into the classroom,” Lomumba Ismail, Black Men Teach, said. “The coach plays a pivotal role in not only what the student does in the classroom, what they do on the field and what they do in the community.”
Equity is at the center of the organization’s mission.
Research shows having representation in a classroom setting can lead to more success, like better behavior, higher test scores and graduating.
The nonprofit is already making progress. In just three years, they doubled the number of fellows pursuing careers in education.
Talisha Jackson, a high school parent, has seen that impact through her son’s eyes.
“I’m just excited that he gets this opportunity and I get to see the excitement on his face and the joy that he has with other students and building those relationships,” Jackson said.
The high school senior is involved with the Black Men Teach fellowship program and receives hands-on job training and support.
“It opened the door for seeing the diversity that we need in our schools. When they come in, they don’t just talk to students of color, they talk to all students,” Jackson said.
The organization not only recruits future educators, but they also prepare the students, place them in jobs and focus on retaining them.
The mission is backed by donations and state funding. The nonprofit received a grant from the state for $500,000 per year in 2026 and 2027 to continue its efforts.
