Today 12 additional cities joined the #SelmaForStudents movement and announced their success in raising money to send students to see the movie "Selma" for free. Read about it here. African American leaders, now joined by generous citizens of all hues, are working together across the country to ensure that the next generation understands and appreciates the important history of [...]
"Selma is the story of a movement" reads the promotional materials for this critically acclaimed movie which opened in theaters across the country this weekend. #SelmaforStudents, the nationwide effort of Black business leaders to make sure our young people see this movie, is the story of a movement too. GCP was there at the beginning, and we can tell [...]
“Selma” chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. This wonderful film, which opens in wide release on January 9th, is a must-see movie for our children in 7th grade and older. It is a powerful, gripping story of [...]
GCP recently had another live event: A conversation with GCP mom Kathryn Chenault. Kathryn, an attorney who stepped away from her professional life to devote time and effort to raising her two sons (who are now wonderful young men in their 20′s), graciously hosted us at her glorious home. Beautiful surroundings, great weather, and wonderful advice from a boy mom [...]
In a recent report on gender, economic mobility and college success, a team of Columbia and Ohio State University researchers have concluded that they have seen the future, and it doesn't look good for boys. In their paper, found here and reported in the NY Times here, they assert that eighth grade report cards tell the story: if an [...]
It has been front page news for a few days now: L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling allegedly made some outrageously offensive racist comments about Black people to his Black and Hispanic girlfriend. Talk to your sons about this situation, and ask them what they would do if they played for or were the coach of the L.A. Clippers. The [...]
A good male friend recently described the relationship between his two teen sons as "non-existent". Different social circles, different schools, unconnected lives living in the same house. If one is away for a while, the other will eventually ask about him, but only casually, and he certainly doesn't want his brother to know that he cares. My friend assures [...]
Just a quick posting of two thought-provoking articles: In "Teaching My Son to Love Himself", found here, author Faye McCray wonders about the extent to which her son struggles with issues of identity when he finds a white girl is prettier than a Black one. A white father of an African-American son shares "What I Learned About Stop-and-Frisk From [...]
Black boys as young as 10 years old are more likely than their White peers to be mistaken as older, less innocent, and more appropriate targets for police violence if accused of a crime, according to research conducted by UCLA psychologists. In their study, abstracted here, the researchers examined "whether Black boys are given the protections of childhood equally [...]
This afternoon President Obama will announce the launch of an initiative to provide greater opportunities to African-American and Hispanic young men of color. His "My Brother's Keeper" initiative has already received a $150 million commitment from a group of foundations and businesses who have pledged an additional $200 million towards this effort. The White House initiative seeks to intervene [...]