By: Kenya Grant · Published on EdNC.org · April 15, 2025
In nearly 26 years of navigating the world of education—from student to teacher, mentor, assistant principal, dean, director, and now principal—Kenya Grant has noticed a consistent and troubling reality: Black male teachers are rare, especially in rural schools.
For many Black students, particularly boys, the presence of a Black male educator can make a profound difference. They often respond differently to the authority, mentorship, and example set by someone who reflects their own identity. The absence of that presence can leave a gap—not just in representation, but in the emotional and cultural connection within the classroom.
To explore the roots of this issue, Grant convened a roundtable of 15 Black male educators, ages 25 to 75, with teaching careers ranging from 3 to 50 years. Together, they discussed not just why they chose education, but why they stayed in the profession despite challenges.
Their stories reveal themes of resilience, purpose, and the deep responsibility they feel toward their students and communities. They also highlight the systemic changes needed to recruit, support, and retain more Black men in teaching roles.
This conversation is more than an observation—it’s a call to action for schools, districts, and policymakers to recognize the importance of representation and to create pathways for more Black male educators to thrive.
Read the full article here: Perspective | Where are the Black male teachers? on EdNC.org.