The Black Inventors "Gifting" Project is creating connection between problem and solution. With only 10 percent of fourth grade African American students proficient in science, compared to 46 percent of whites, the two organizations are on a journey to bring about greater awareness and resources to foster change; 71 percent of African American and (56% of Hispanic) high school students scored below basic in science. A mere four percent of African American high school students tested proficient in science; 12% of African American 8th grade boys are proficient in math.
The problem, according to Street Positive founder and CEO, Terry Boykins, is "We simply are not promoting science, math and engineering nearly as much as current trends suggest to keep African American and Hispanic youth academically, economically or socially competitive. There is a need to begin thinking 'out of the box' in reaching African American and Hispanic students. Globalization and green-collar jobs are here and both are real. And, if these key student groups do not catch hold they will be stuck. At which point, the "science" of dropping out and incarceration takes hold.
With the Black Inventors "Gifting" Project, Boykins and Print 4 Success president, Anthony Green, are encouraging parents, educators and community leaders to purchase a deck of cards and "gift" them to a student of choice. Green stated, "We really need to show our youth what ingenuity and accomplishments have come from black inventors and begin reversing this spiraling out of control trend that is dumbing them down. We have to become excited about where we want things to go and help get them there."
The cards, listed for $10, will be available via www.streetpositive.com throughout black history month. Boykins and Green say they are looking forward to gaining even more momentum in the weeks and months ahead as they pursue their goal of 100,000 individuals willing to "gift" a deck or more to a student(s) of choice. "To sit idle knowing where we are, would prove catastrophic. If we have to sell cards on the streets to keep our youth from failing in the seats, we are prepared and know how to do it. It's time for America to become as fanatical about educating all young people as it is about grown men playing in the Super Bowl. Tolerating mediocrity must stop. Consider lawmakers response if the white student dropout rate reached fifty percent. Of which, is the current black male dropout rate." Boykins stated.
The Black Inventors "Gifting" Project also has a fundraising component for youth and non-profiit organizations needing to generate monies for their respective programs.
February 11 - Street Positive presents "Black Psyche' Red Flag: African American Paternity Revisited." Event: African American Mental Health Symposium. Location: CSUSB - Santos Manuel Student Union. Time: 8am - 1pm. Admission: Free. Parking: $5.
February 12 - Street Positive presents "Overcoming Academic, Emotional & Social Setbacks: Finding Purpose and Direction in Life." Event: Embodi Program - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Location: Cal Poly Pomona - Bldg 5, Rm 262. Time: 10am - 12pm. Admission: RSVP - limited seating for high school males. Refreshments served.
Play the Positive. Life for Real
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