Parents Claim 13-Year-Old Son Died From Social Media Challenge Instead Of Alleged Suicide
The young teen was found unresponsive by him parents before being pronounced dead.
The parents of a deceased 13-year-old boy believe their son died from a social media challenge and not suicide as investigators initially thought.
Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr.’s parents found him unresponsive at their Southern California home on Feb. 3. According to KTLA, the family of six had spent the prior evening watching the Grammy Awards together. However, the following day became a nightmare.
As Ohaeri Jr.’s mom performed CPR on her eldest son, his father called out for help from the police and neighbors. While all tried to save him, the teenage boy was pronounced dead.
Despite original assumptions that the teen committed suicide, his family began to doubt the cause of death. In their own investigation, they discovered his participation in a social media challenge that could have led to his passing.
The challenge encouraged participants to try to make themselves unconscious. The effort is similar to the “Blackout Challenge,” in which several participants died, prompting lawsuits against TikTok by their bereaved parents. However, the question of how Ohaeri Jr. discovered the challenge remains unclear, especially as his parents prohibited social media on his phone.
In light of this tragedy, the Ohaeris want other families to have discussions about the dangers of social media. They hope to inspire others to check in with their children about internet engagement and safety.
“I’m going through the Rolodex of guilt now like, ‘Did we check in more? Should I have not been as firm four years ago?’” shared Ohaeri Sr.
As the family deals with the loss, they have launched a GoFundMe to help with expenses during this time. The page also revealed more about their beloved son known as “Deuce.”
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure,” quoted the family in the description. “We want to honor the treasure that was the beloved Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr, ‘Deuce.’ A vibrant, kind, loving, beautiful young man, a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a friend, a teammate, a bandmate, a leader, an athlete, who had a passion and incredible talent for football who meant so much to so many, and will be so very deeply missed.”
The family has raised over $75,000 of their $100,000 goal.
Anti-DEI Group Files Complaint Against Chicago Public Schools’ Black Student Success Plan
The plan is meant to address disparities for Black students within Chicago Public schools.
A conservative advocacy group has filed a federal anti-discrimination complaint against Chicago Public Schools as the city’s school system unveils its Black Student Success Plan.
The group, Parents Defending Education, has advocated against the teaching of race and gender topics, submitting previous complaints against other cities’ school districts. The group waited until CPS released its five-year plan meant to boost the achievement of Black students within their district.
According to Chalkbeat Chicago, the group filed the complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. In the document, it cited the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause banning affirmative action college admissions. Furthermore, they cited the “Dear Colleague” letter issued by the department this month urging school districts to pause race-based initiatives or face potential federal funding cuts.
While race-based, the success plan seeks to lessen the disparities prohibiting Black students from thriving in Chicago schools. It aims to reduce suspensions given to Black students, increase the number of Black teachers, and promote the teaching of Black history across more classrooms. Through its five-year implementation, they also hope to increase the graduation rates of Black students.
Parents Defending Education, however, believes that these measures are discriminatory against students of other races. In a statement, a spokesperson for the organization shared that the plan supports “political indoctrination” in public schools.
“Parents Defending Education hopes that this complaint will spur quick action to remedy unlawful practices and end discrimination on the basis of race, and political indoctrination in America’s schools,” a spokeswoman for the group said in a statement to Chalkbeat Friday.
They also claim the plan overshadows other students’ academic struggles within the district, including Latino students. However, Black students continue to hold the most disproportionate rates out of any identity group.
CPS has remained aware of the timing of this plan’s rollout, especially as the Trump administration cracks down on DEI initiatives across public schools and federal departments. Despite this, CPS officials emphasized that they will continue ensuring all students can achieve while acknowledging and uplifting their cultural identities.
“We will stay true to our values and our mission — to provide all students with a rigorous, joyful, and equitable daily learning experience that affirms and celebrates their identities,” explained district CEO Pedro Martinez.
In the meantime, district leaders have stated they will review and respond to the complaint.
Trump’s Justice Department Deletes Database Tracking Federal Police Misconduct
The nationwide database has tracked police misconduct since 2023, when it was put into place by President Joe Biden.
The Trump administration’s Justice Department has deleted the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database, the nationwide database that has tracked police misconduct since 2023, when it was put into place by President Joe Biden.
According to The Washington Post, the Justice Department dismantled the database in accordance with a January executive order from Donald Trump, which undid all of Biden’s executive orders.
Ironically, Trump first proposed the national database himself in 2020, as the country was dealing with the reaction to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of the police.
The White House defended its actions via a lengthy statement to the outlet, casting the Biden Administration era database as “woke” and “anti-police.”
“President Trump believes in an appropriate balance of accountability without compromising law enforcement’s ability to do its job of fighting crime and keeping communities safe,” the White House said via email.
The White House continued, “But the Biden executive order creating this database was full of woke, anti-police concepts that make communities less safe like a call for ‘equitable’ policing and addressing ‘systemic racism in our criminal justice system.’ President Trump rescinded the order creating this database on Day 1 because he is committed to giving our brave men and women of law enforcement the tools they need to stop crime.”
The justification from the White House was met with criticism from several police reform experts, even if they weren’t necessarily surprised by the administration’s move to end the program.
Lauren Bonds, the executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, told TheWashington Post that the move from the Trump Administration is the latest example that neither Trump nor his administration is concerned about the civil rights of vulnerable citizens. “Trump has made clear through actions such as this that he doesn’t think law enforcement accountability advances public safety.”
Although the database contains only federal officers, Bonds noted that it covers “a potentially impactful group who can impact a lot of vulnerable people’s civil rights” in areas like immigration and Border Patrol. “Even though databases are the bare minimum of tracking, it’s a low bar, but it’s still a bar we should have in place,” Bonds said.
According to Trevor Hugh Davis, a research scientist at the University of Notre Dame, who discovered that the database had been down since Jan. 24, the deletion of the database represents a tremendous loss.
“We have lost countless records of disciplinary actions, terminations, complaints and settlements related to police misconduct,” Davis said. “Officers with serious misconduct histories often move between departments. Despite its limitations, it addressed a real problem — rehiring officers who had been fired or resigned for misconduct … its removal sends a clear message about the new administration’s priorities.”
The database had been criticized by police unions, which, more correctly, should be understood as lobbyists for the interests of police officers, even those who have engaged in misconduct.
One of the more prominent organizations, the National Association of Police Organizations, wrote several letters to the Biden Administration, dating back to 2022.
In January, executive director William J. Johnson wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland, arguing that administrative infractions shouldn’t be included in the database and officers should get due process in order to challenge their inclusion in the database.
“Our comments and recommendations on the establishment of a National Law Enforcement Accountability Database have been largely disregarded,” Johnson wrote in the letter. “As representatives of rank-and-file officers, it is incredibly concerning that their voices are being ignored.”
In contrast to the alleged recommendations by Johnson, Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the Police Executive Forum, told The Washington Post that the database contains vital information, which police departments can use to avoid hiring unsuitable candidates.
“This database helps law enforcement agencies ensure they are not hiring officers who have been criminally charged, fired for misconduct, or are otherwise unsuitable candidates,” Wexler said. “Problem officers tend to move from agency to agency, and police chiefs and sheriffs want access to any information that can help them avoid hiring a problem officer.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 27: A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. performs a step routine during 2022 HBCU Gamerfest at Forbes Arena at Morehouse College on April 27, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Black Fraternities And Sororities Face Uncertain Future As Trump Ramps Up Anti-DEI Push
Other race- and gender-based student organizations could also end.
College student groups based on ethnicity or race could be in peril if the Trump administration’s Department of Education is successful at expanding the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling regarding race-based affirmative action, the administration’s argument would thus center on applying the Court’s decision to every aspect of campus life.
According to The Hill, groups such as the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, are concerned about what could happen to those groups, including Black fraternities and sororities, which were originally developed in response to segregation and discrimination.
As the group’s CEO and president, Paulette Grandberry Russell said in a statement to the outlet, “There is legitimate concern that the new administration may seek to restrict student organizations, including registered student organizations, and perhaps even fraternities and sororities with a nondiscriminatory focus on race, ethnicity, gender, religion and other cultural identities that the DOE determines are prohibited.”
Likewise, Marybeth Gasman, the executive director at the Center for Minority Serving Institutions at Rutgers University, is similarly concerned about how the Trump administration is choosing to apply the concept of race neutrality, which Gasman says doesn’t square with how the concept is supposed to work.
“I am concerned that the Trump administration could target student organizations that are racial affinity groups. They will claim they are enforcing ‘race neutrality’ — which makes no sense,” Gasman told The Hill, adding that “legal precedent strongly protects the right of free association per the First Amendment, which means that any attempts to end these organizations would end up in the courts.”
As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, following the confirmation hearing of Trump’s pick to head the DOE, Linda McMahon, the department sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter.
Despite the letter’s lack of the force of law, it nonetheless presents institutions with an ultimatum to comply with the Trump administration’s position on diversity, equity and inclusion or lose funding, and gave them 14 days to accomplish this task.
According to Craig Trainor, the acting secretary for civil rights at the Education Department, “The Department of Education will no longer allow education entities to discriminate on the basis of race. This isn’t complicated. When in doubt, every school should consult the SFFA legal test contained in the DCL: ‘If an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person’s race, the educational institution violates the law.’ Additional guidance on implementation is forthcoming.”
The positions of the Trump administration’s Department of Education and those of American universities are in direct opposition and are going to set up a legal fight, one that universities need to be prepared for.
According to Sara Partridge, the associate director of higher education at the Center for American Progress, any action of the Trump Administration that would curtail federal funding for violations regarding what it sets forth about DEI would be unprecedented in the history of the United States of America.
“Typically, following a civil rights complaint, the Office of Civil Rights does an investigation. If they conclude that a violation has occurred, institutions are given the opportunity to voluntarily amend their policies. So, the dramatic step of actually taking federal financial aid away from institutions would be very harmful to students, but historically, there has been a process for institutions to remedy any issues before it gets to that point,” Partridge said.
She concluded, “So, it’s yet to be seen how this administration will use the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Education, but to take away federal funding as a result of civil rights violations as this letter frames them would be completely unprecedented.”
LaVar Ball Breaks Silence On TikTok After Surprising Foot Amputation
Ball made light of his recent procedure in a new TikTok video.
LaVar Ball, the father of basketball stars Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo Ball, has finally spoken out after receiving a foot amputation unexpectedly.
The Ball patriarch had to undergo the procedure in the wake of a serious health issue. However, the details of the medical conditions remain under wraps. Despite this, Ball returned to social media in good spirits while still promoting his sons in true fashion.
“Everyone heard what happened and y’all can take my foot, but you know what you can’t take? That Primby account,” he said cheekily to his fans on TikTok.
He then went on to start singing the chorus for his son’s LiAngelo hit song “Tweaker.” Ball spoke to his fans through Primby’s TikTok account, where he has posted numerous video before.
Ball also became known as the vocal backer for his sons’ emerging careers in basketball. As the sports-loving family won state championships for Chino Hills High School in California, it was Ball’s boastful approach to promoting his sons’ talent that gained national attention.
He created the Big Baller Brand to help further the “Ball Brothers” branding through shoes as well. However, his outspoken personality made him a spectacle outside his children.
While two of his sons, Lonzo and LaMelo, have gone on to become NBA stars, his other son LiAngelo has paved a new career in music. The aspiring rapper reportedly signed a multi-million dollar deal with Def Jam.
The senior Ball has taken a backseat in recent years from his sons’ vibrant careers. However, they still show love to their eccentric father, especially as he deals with his new reality. After the surgery, LaMelo, shared a picture with his father stating his love for his pops.
The breakout point guard went to see his father after his team, the Charlotte Hornets, beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 19.
Citigroup Becomes Latest Company To Backtrack On DEI Commitments
In an internal memo, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser indicated the bank would rename its DEI team and make other changes due to Trump's anti-DEI policies.
On Feb. 20, Citigroup walked back some of the diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments made in 2020. Citigroup was one of several United States businesses and banks that attempted to grapple with the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by adopting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, but the political climate no longer supports those initiatives.
According to Business Insider, in an internal memo to staff members, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser indicated that the bank would rename its diversity, equity, and inclusion team and make several other changes in light of the Trump administration’s growing hostility toward DEI.
Per Fraser’s memo, the “diversity, equity, and inclusion and talent management” team will now be referred to as “talent management and engagement. ” The memo also notes that the bank will axe “aspirational representation goals except as required by local law” and will no longer require job candidates or panels of interviewers to be diverse.
By contrast, in September 2020, the bank announced its Action for Racial Equity, which contained specific pledges to increase support for Black Americans and other communities of color, including a pledge to “Advance anti-racist practices in its company and the financial services industry.”
When its three-year action plan was unveiled, Fraser said in a press release, “We are meeting the challenge of helping close the racial wealth gap with urgency. In just one year since launching Action for Racial Equity, we have already invested $1 billion into initiatives expanding economic opportunity for communities of color. There is still more work to be done to advance anti-racist practices both within our firm and across the industry, and we look forward to continuing to evolve our approach to driving diversity, equity and inclusion for our colleagues, clients and communities.”
According to Forbes, Citigroup joins Pepsi, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Deloitte, PBS, Google, Intel, PayPal, Chipotle, Comcast, General Motors, Amazon, Amtrak, The Smithsonian Institution, Target, Meta, and McDonald’s among other companies and government contracted entities to either walk back aspects of or end their prior commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion due to pressure from the Trump administration, many of whom committed multibillion-dollar pledges to assist in fostering diversity.
According to Simon Blanchette, a lecturer at McGill University in Canada and an expert in organizational theory, the corporate whiplash on DEI, while inspired by the Trump administration’s clear animus regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, is also an example of what Blanchette called “diversitywashing” in an op-ed for The Conversation.
He argued that this occurs when companies like Citigroup and others declare support for social causes but retreat under public or political pressure.
Blanchette writes, “When corporations roll back these initiatives in response to political pressures, it signals to the world their commitment to EDI was merely a strategic move to improve their brand image during a period when social justice was a trending topic.”
Soul-Funk Singer Gwen McCrae, ‘Queen Of Rare Groove,’ Dies At 81
The singer was known for producing dance hits with substantive lyrics.
Gwen McCrae, heralded by many as “The Queen of Rare Groove,” has died at 81. Fans remember the soul-funk singer for her contributions to this sector of disco.
Born Gwen Mosley, the Florida native started her career with her husband, George McCrae, in 1963. The married couple later signed to Altson and TK Records, but moderate success led Gwen to try a southern soul sound. However, the singer caught traction when she began focusing on dance-focused records that promoted a “Miami sound” to intrigued audiences.
This sound proved viable for both McCraes, scoring George a UK No. 1 hit with “Rock Your Baby,” but the musical relationship began to impact their marital one. Reeling from the breakup in 1976, McCrae delved further into her own voice to create dance music with heavier lyricism.
According to The Guardian, her biggest hit became “Rockin’ Chair,” which reached No. 9 on the Billboard pop charts. With her throaty voice blending with the sounds of disco, she continued to roll out additional hits such as “90% Of Me Is You” and “All This Love That I’m Givin.'”
However, her recording career dwindled after TK Studios and the label went under in the early 1980s. Despite this, her career found another path through live performances across the United Kingdom. This newfound arena of fame aided McCrae throughout her fluctuating career.
“The only time I’m really happy is when I’m on that stage, in front of my audience,” McCrae said in 1997. “Then I’m the happiest woman in the world.”
The singer continued to tour until 2012 when she suffered a stroke while performing in England. The incident left her paralyzed on the left side and unable to walk. Following years of treatment, McCrae died from a long-time illness.
McCrae remains a household name in the disco scene for Brits during the era. However, her impact on the genre in the United States remains less known. Despite this, the singer’s influence may receive new recognition as the “Miami Sound” gains new acclaim from music historians.
Kamala Harris Inspires At NAACP Image Awards: ‘No Illusions What We Are Up Against’ As Keke Palmer And Others Win Big
Harris received the Chairman's Award.
Kamala Harris joined in on Black excellence, which was celebrated at the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 22. The former vice president spoke to the audience in an inspiring speech, and Keke Palmer and others took home major awards.
Upon receiving the Chairman’s Award, Harris encouraged viewers not to despair about the current state of the world. In her first televised appearance since the election, she urged the audience to look back at the NAACP’s history while championing hope and determination.
“This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred,” she said. “Those who forged the NAACP, those who carried its legacy forward had no illusions about the forces they were up against. No illusions about how stony the road would be,” Harris said at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles.
“But some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history,” she said. “Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before, and we will do it again.”
She added, “We organize, mobilize, educate and advocate. Our power has never come from having an easy path. Our strength flows from our faith — faith in God, faith in each other, and our refusal to surrender to cynicism and destruction. Not because it is easy but because it is necessary. Not because victory is guaranteed, but because the fight is worth it.”
She continued, “While we have no illusions about what we are up against in this chapter in our American story, this chapter will be written not simply by whoever occupies the Oval Office nor by the wealthiest among us. The American story will be written by you, written by us, by we the people.”
The Chairman’s Award honors those who “excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.”
While Harris was a highlight of the evening, the NAACP also congratulated fellow Black public figures for their work across multiple media industries. Keke Palmer took home the Entertainer of the Year award, nodding to her fellow nominees and their monumental year.
“I didn’t think I was going to win because [starts singing],” said Palmer before she referenced the famous riff sung by Cynthia Erivo’s character in “Wicked.” “…It’s such an amazing category to be in with all these people.”
She added, “It is so important that we come here together and celebrate one another with one another. I’ve been in this industry for 20 years, nobody has uplifted me more than you all, the people in this room… While we continue to ask for more money, ’cause we need that… It is important that we remember that what we would and what we deem as important is enough.”
As for other winners, the legendary Wayans family became the newest members of the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. Netflix’s “The Six Triple Eight,” the Tyler Perry-directed war drama film about an all-Black women’s battalion, won the Outstanding Motion Picture Prize.
As for Outstanding Actress and Actor, Kerry Washington and Denzel Washington received awards for their roles in “The Six Triple Eight” and “Gladiator II,” respectively. Dave Chappelle also took home the President’s Award for his achievement and influence in entertainment.
DELEÓN Tequila, a proud returning sponsor of the awards, spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about what being a part of this monumental event means to the brand.
“The 56th NAACP Image Awards was a true celebration of Black excellence, and DELEÓN Tequila was honored to be part of the moment. From unveiling our Bold Spirits, Rise footprint on the red carpet to raising a glass with winners in the trophy room, every detail was designed to uplift the bold spirits shaping culture and community. As part of our Bold Spirits, Rise campaign, we highlighted the journeys of those who inspire the next generation—an ode to the power of community and creativity. This night was more than a ceremony—it was a testament to resilience, achievement, and the voices that continue to pave the way forward,” said Ari Anderman, Brand Director of DELEÓN Tequila.
Head to the NAACP Image Award’s website for the full list of winners.
ICE Prosecutor Called ‘Nazi’ In Complaint, Alleged Racist Posts Include ‘America Is A White Nation’
According to the legal complaint, the posts were on an X account where ICE prosecutor James Rodden tried to hide his identity.
Following a report from The Texas Observer, James Rodden, an assistant chief counsel with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), faces a legal complaint accusing him of being a Nazi working within the agency. The complaint calls for an investigation and the suspension of his law license.
According to CBS News, J. Whitfield Larrabee, an attorney in Massachusetts, filed the complaint with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Washington, D.C., and the Office of Professional Responsibility for ICE.
Per the complaint, “When the representative of the United States in our immigration courts is motivated by bigotry, racism, xenophobia, anti-immigrant bias and hatred of immigrants, this seriously interferes with the administration of justice and undermines the integrity of our legal system.”
The complaint includes the aforementioned article written by investigative reporter Steven Monacelli, in which he alleges to have determined “based on an overwhelming number of biographical details matched through publicly available documents, other social media activity, and courtroom observation” that Rhoden ran the Twitter (X) account “GlomarResponder.”
The complaint suggests that the lawsuit is based on an article from the Texas Observer, which claims that the posts it references are “directly” linked to Rodden’s efforts in advocating for the removal of vulnerable immigrants, refugees, and political asylum seekers before judges.
Several posts from the account indicate that the alleged operator is a fascist, a white supremacist, and supports anti-immigrant violence.
One post allegedly posted by Rodden includes one from January 2025 that read, “America is a White nation, founded by Whites. We are the historical and majority population, and it was founded for our benefit. Our country should favor us.”
In September 2024, he allegedly posted that “all blacks are foreign to my people.”
Last week: Correspondent @stevanzetti identified the operator of an overtly racist X account, "GlomarResponder," as ICE Assistant Chief Counsel James Rodden, based on an overwhelming number of biographical details matched. https://t.co/PzzKE5iB3y
In August 2024, GlomarResponder posted: "‘Migrants’ are all criminals.”
“Nobody is proposing feeding migrants into tree shredders,” the account posted in March 2024. “Yet. Give it a few more weeks at this level of invasion, and that will be the moderate position.”
As he wrote, “The evidence that Rodden operates the GlomarResponder account includes an overwhelming number of biographical details that GlomarResponder has shared over years that align with information about Rodden, including employment history, locations lived, characteristics of a spouse, involvement in a lawsuit against the federal government, height and fashion preferences, penchants for specific phrasing, and a variety of specific interests and hobbies.”
Monacelli indicated that the Texas Observer had verified these details independently. When an ICE spokesperson responded via email, they declined to confirm whether Rodden was still employed with ICE.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will not comment on the substance of this article pending further investigation, to include whether the owner of the referenced ‘X’ account is a current employee. Notwithstanding, ICE holds its employees to the highest standards of professionalism and takes seriously all allegations of inappropriate conduct,” ICE wrote to the outlet.
Rodden has not responded to multiple requests for comment from the outlet, and when approached to inquire whether he had received them, he instructed reporters to “call (his) press office.”
According to Bjørn Ihler, the founder and CEO of Revontulet, a private counterterrorism intelligence and research company, the number of cross-referenced details regarding Rodden and the details shared on the “GlomarResponder” account are unlikely to be coincidental.
“We asked two of our analysts with more than 20 years of combined experience in open-source intelligence to review the identification,” Ihler said. “They found it to be thorough, well-supported, and worthy of public attention. They agree that the evidence linking James Rodden to the online accounts in question is strong, with significant biographical consistencies spanning over a decade…The depth of the investigation leaves little room for doubt.”
Cyrus Mehta, a New York-based immigration attorney with more than 30 years in the field, told the Texas Observer that the views allegedly espoused by Rodden would constitute a violation of ethics.
“A government lawyer who vilifies people that he opposes in court, and puts that out under the radar, would clearly be engaging in conduct that’s prejudicial to the administration of justice,” Mehta said.
HBCU Huston-Tillotson Tackles Black Male Teacher Shortage
The school is boosting its efforts though the African American Male Teacher Initiative.
In 2024, Huston-Tillotson University’s partnership with Austin Independent School District (ISD) through the African American Male Teacher Initiative had slowed down due to the pandemic. However, this year, the program, which began in 2020 to address the nationwide shortage of Black male teachers, is celebrating the graduation of nine seniors.
According to its website, the program is funded by Apple and is part of the university’s Apple Community Education Initiatives partnership with the technology company.
Per their executive summary of the program, “The university is now setting its goals on growing the number of African-American males. The goal is to certify 25 African-American males as classroom teachers by the year 2025. This project’s goal is to increase the number of African-American male educators in the teaching field. Currently African-American males make up less than 2% of all educators.”
Although its original goal was to certify 100 Black male teachers, 25 of whom were to graduate from their program by 2025, the effects of the pandemic hampered that effort.
However, as Jesse Rivers, a university professor and the leader of the efforts to partner with Austin ISD, told KVUE in 2024, the addition of Black teachers could help Austin’s Black male students in several ways.
“Black male teachers are more apt to be culturally responsive, culturally sensitive to the needs of those young Black men,” Rivers said. “So that reduces a lot of the angst and prejudices that we have.”
Ken Zarifis, the president of Austin ISD’s teacher’s union, agreed with Rivers’ assessment.
“That’s ultimately what we want,” Zarifis told the outlet. “So we have a rich experience in schools, so that every kid going to school has a rich, fulfilling experience where they see themselves, but also others so that they become a fuller person.”
In a 2024 press release announcing that the program would be funded by Apple, Rivers indicated that he believes if there is an issue affecting Black people, then an HBCU should get involved and help figure out how to solve it.
“In an effort to alleviate the shortages of African-American male teachers in public classrooms, I wholeheartedly believe that HBCUs must be at the forefront in recruiting and preparing African-American males to teach,” Rivers said. “If it’s a Black problem, why shouldn’t HBCUs be at the forefront of problem-solving?”
He continued, “A popular 21st-century term is innovation, but when someone tries to be innovative, the “system” at times intentionally and unintentionally forces that individual to revert to the status quo or familiar territory. Partnering with private industries to increase the number of Black male teachers is innovative but not unheard of, but more is needed to put a more significant dent in the shortage of African American male teachers.”
In 2021, Dr. Jennifer Miles, who was then the director of the Center for Academic Innovation & Transformation and interim director of the Center for Academic Excellence, also indicated that the program was part of the university’s broader push for racial justice.
“Our pledge towards racial justice by increasing the number of Black males in P-12 education will make a huge impact to student achievement. The African American Male Teacher Initiative, the only program of its kind within all 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), supports the holistic development of future Black male teachers,” Miles said.
She added, “From ongoing professional development to hands-on digital training with state-of-the-art devices to learning app development in an effort to advance a 22nd-century approach to learning, HT is dedicated to the success of this program, and we’re proud to partner with Apple to bring this opportunity to our students.”
This year, according to KXAN, the program currently has 16 students enrolled and is looking for more students to join. To be considered for the program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and commit to giving 30 hours of community service to the Austin community each semester.
As Kai Turntine, one of the students in this year’s cohort who wants to become a school superintendent, told the outlet, one of his primary motivations is to assure young Black kids that there are more paths to success than the streets or sports.
“My goal is to give kids inspiration. Some kids where I am from think sports is everything and I just want to tell people football will end, basketball will end, whatever sport you are playing will end and then you don’t give up on life,” Turntine said. “You don’t quit, you don’t say, Oh, I didn’t make it in this. Some people where I am from go to the streets or somewhere else.”
