MAP Conference, “A Gathering of Black Men”

By Tanya Dennis     The Maximum Achievement Project, MAP, held a conference at Merritt College recently, marking the second year of the organization’s efforts to promote the educational success of local African American males through mentoring, tutorials, social interaction and financial assistance. At the Oct. 23 event, educators, students and MAP participants discussed how this innovative project, launched through a federal grant, is making a dramatic difference.  One indication is that participants’ grade-point averages have risen from 1.6 to 2.4.  The program has also received national recognition, including a visit from Secretary of State Arne Duncan, who visited recently. MAP representatives also spoke recently at the Congressional Black Caucus.  Growing in strength, the organization has now formed partnership with Oakland and Emeryville School District, working to start the support for Black men at an earlier age. “More African American males will graduate at Merritt than ever before – no longer will we stand at graduation and say ‘Where are the Black men?” Said MAP Director Carlos McLean. Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, who was keynote speaker at the conference, talked about how he was empowered as a young man by such organizations as the Omega’s Boys Clubs and teachers at Laney College who supported his fledgling political career.  “I succeeded because someone believed in me, someone cared, he said. “The Maximum Achievement Project is successful because someone is caring.  It is vitally important to believe in yourself.  This program is saying to the participants: we believe in you, and all we’re asking is that you believe in yourself.” Also attending was  “A Gathering of Black Men,” an organization of African-American “intergenerational” men who wanted to see how they can enhance, empower and interface with MAP men.   Ted Marsh co-founder of the group said, “We need to reconstruct and restore character building experiences for our children. It’s time to create current and relevant rites of passage.” “Striving Black Brothers” from Chabot College, dressed collectively in all black with red ties, wants to change cultural expectations of striving to be “young OG’s (original gangsters) to  “young new leaders.”  “We as Black men have to want education as bad as we want to breathe,” said Ishmael Williams, Jr., a member of that organization. Speaking of the danger of budget cuts to the future of the community colleges, Dr. Wise Allen, Chancellor of Peralta, warned, “The State has capped our money. This opportunity is going away, so it’s important to show up early or be locked out.  Last year we had to turn away 10,000 applicants because of budget cuts.”