In recognition of the agency’s 55th anniversary and to coincide with the Month of the Young Child, Focus: HOPE is presenting an Education Summit entitled, Black & Brown Male Educators Matter. The purpose of this event is to bring together leading male voices in early education to discuss the positive impacts on students that are taught by male educators of the same race. As of 2019, fewer than 3% of preschool and kindergarten teachers were men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Focus: HOPE is leading the way in changing that scenario with nearly 40% of their educators being Black and Brown men.

Moderator:

Andre Ash, Digital Anchor, Michigan Chronicle

Panelists:

Roland Sintos Coloma, Professor of Teacher Education, former Assistant Dean - Division of Teacher Education, Wayne State University, and Chair of the Department of Teacher Education, Northern Kentucky University

Waymond Hayes, Director of Early Learning, Focus: HOPE Early Learning Center, Hayes remains one of the few men in Michigan and the only Black man to hold a high-ranking position in early education.

Juan Ruiz, Teacher, Project Director for 21st-century Youth Development, Head Start Operations Manager, and Early Childhood Specialist for the Great Start Readiness Program., Focus: HOPE Early Learning Center