Unseen Voices: Addressing the Disappearance of Black Boys in Education

By Quintessa Williams | Word In Black — In March, The New York Times highlighted that 1 in 5 young Black men, ages 20 to 24, are disconnected from education and employment. Dr. David E. Kirkland emphasizes this reflects a deeper issue stemming from systemic neglect and bias in early education. He asserts that this trend begins well before college, with Black boys often facing disproportionate disciplinary actions from preschool onward. Kirkland advocates for an educational system grounded in love, trust, and culturally relevant curricula, emphasizing the need to reimagine schools as affirming environments for Black boys.