Wednesday, April 6, was already shaping up to be a memorable day when students from Thrive Chicago’s “Intro to Urban Education” (IUE) pilot program arrived at the United Center for a very special evening. IUE is part of Thrive’s larger “Male Educators of Color” initiative designed to build and strengthen the pipeline of diverse teachers in Chicago Public Schools. High school seniors from three schools have been participating in a year-long course designed to deepen their understanding of the relationship between identity and education, and to spark their interest in pursuing a career in teaching. On this particular night, before the Chicago Bulls took on the Boston Celtics, the students had a chance to hear from three professionals whose work straddles sports and the social sector. Jamar Williams of the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, Derrick Christian of the United Center, and Dr. Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry of the Chicago Bulls shared stories about their professional trajectories, their current roles, and the impact that they hope to make.
Later in the evening, a surprise guest arrived who ensured it would be a night the young men would never forget. From the moment President Obama walked in, the excitement was palpable as the students posed for pictures with the former Commander-in-Chief. There were smiles all around as the former President interacted with the young men, expressed his excitement about meeting them, and talked to them about their hopes and plans for the future.
The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, founded by President Barack Obama in 2014, addresses the persistent opportunity gaps that boys and young men of color (BYMOC) face and works to ensure all young people can reach their full potential. In partnership with the Obama Foundation, Thrive Chicago leads the implementation of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative in Chicago, including the Male Educators of Color initiative.
Read more about the Intro to Urban Education pilot in this recent piece by Chalkbeat Chicago.
