Annual ‘Man on the Shore’ Summit at UMES encourages more Black Educators
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Black men made up less than 2 percent of public-school teachers in 2024 according to the National Center for Education, and along the shore educators are determined to be represented in education.
Black Representation in Education Matters
The message Dr. Richard H. Warren, Hazel Professor of Education and organizer of the Man on the Shore Summit is trying to convey. “I do want to bring together some strong Black men who are doing great things, to pair up with these young black boys, and so that we can truly come together and create a nexus where no Black boy should not be able to see a positive role model.”
Dr. Warren says this is a space to discuss why there are so few males of color in education while simultaneously showing those who’ve stepped up to the plate. “So, we’re going to be talking about financial literacy, manhood, character development, emotional intelligence, and community and legacy building. And so, we wanted to create a space for them to see themselves as productive citizens.”
M.A.D.E. Men Cohort
The past 3 years, they had a panel with male educators, but this year’s summit they are bring middle and high school boys to campus. That’s where M.A.D.E. Men is stepping in, a campus cohort made of young men of color who what to be leaders in education.
Sophomore and Vice President Oscar Megia- Garcia says their main goal is to empower and encourage. “One of our initiatives we have now is the “little Made group” where we teach mentorship skills, leadership skills, and how to navigate the world as a young person of color. One of our recent sessions we had was wellness, how it’s important to express your emotions, but not in a violent way or where you bully others.”
Presence is Powerful
Each of these men agree, the only way to show up for young black the youth, is to be present.
Dr. Robert Mock is the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at UMES and one of 12 speakers that will speak at the summit. He will discuss the topic of financial freedom. “The lack of education, higher education has long term implications, in a non- positive way.”
Dr. Mock says the more you learn, the more you earn. “We have a declining number of African American males throughout the county who are not pursuing higher education. I think that is a big, big deal. At the same time, African American women are pursuing it at a higher level, and I just think it would be nice if we had both genders pursuing level of education.”
