The Educated Mentor: Volume 3, Issue 2 (Fall 2022)

The Collegiate Black Male Network has done it again! We are excited and would like to welcome you to Quarter 2!

As the season begins, new things are happening with The CBM Network Last quarter we welcomed a new Board member to the organization who has already shown his commitment and dedication to the organization's mission. Additionally, we wrapped up the final phase for the inaugural cohort of the ONYX25 Under 25 Recognition & Leadership program. The relationships and opportunities created over the past few months is fulfilling because we know the work we are doing is truly making an impact Did we mention that our graduating seniors from the last cohort have begun new journies in their respective fields? THE Honorable Myles Baldwin graduated in May 2020 from Virginia Commonwealth University and is now pursuing a master’s degree at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. And T.H.E. Honorable Keegan Jones, who graduated in May 2020 from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, is now pursuing his dreams of becoming a TV/Film producer at the LA Film School We cannot wait to see the impact they have on their career fields

As we enter the season of Fall, we begin the ‘Season of Giving' Whether it is to your alma mater during homecoming, Giving Tuesday, or traditional holiday spending, we know the impact $1 dollar can make. So, as you prepare for your respective festivities, we ask that you remember us and donate to our organization to continue the impact and create a lasting legacy for collegiate Black men We appreciate your support in advance

Darryl Hylton, Jr

L Enge

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Dr. Darryl Hylton, Jr.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Jamie L. Enge

JOURNAL EDITOR

Dr. Darryl Hylton, Jr.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Elijah Bryant

Kaiden Drain

Jamie Enge

Macklin Gipson

Dr. Darryl Hylton

DeChi Peterson

Tyreek Scott

Dr. Will Sheppard

Da'Marrion White

The Educated Mentor is the official publication of The Collegiate Black Male Network published four times a year. For any questions or feedback regarding the publication, please contact us at info@thecbmnetwork.org

Stay connected with us:

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Hylton, Jr

MENTOR MENTOR

Dear

Donovan Perry Gabriella Torres Gregory Alan Dendy, Jr. Jaron Dawson

Joyce Walker Lindsey Nurczyk Marquise McGriff Nadine Spruell Nathan Anthony Rhuna Holley

National News

ONYX25: Cohort 2 Applications Now Open!

We are excited to announce that applications for Cohort 2 of ONYX25 are now open!

The ONYX25 Under 25 Recognition & Leadership program is designed to celebrate African American male undergraduate students across the nation who have proven themselves as role models for their campus and community. In collaboration with our various partners, we are supporting the next generation of leaders to be competitive in the global market.

To learn more and/or apply visit wwwthecbmnetworkorg/onyx25

Our Board Members are published!

The Collegiate Black Male Network would like to recognize and congratulate Board Member Anita Bledsoe Gardner, Ph.D., for her contribution to chapter eleven of the book From Imagining to Understanding the African American Experience' entitled, Black Influencers

Additionally, she was mentioned in the article entitled, "A history of the mid south sociological association" in the Sociological Spectrum journal (page348).

Way to go, Dr. Bledsoe Gardner!

Professional Mentors Needed!

As a part of the ONYX25 program, we do our best to pair students one on one with individuals who are in their career fields of interest With this partnership, mentors and mentees will engage in a professional exchange of professional, leadership, and career development.

Are you interested in helping mentor the next generation of collegiate Black men to achieve their goals? If so, please contact info@thecbmnetwork.org with the subject line: Professional Mentor Inquiry

Congratulations to Co-Founder, Dr. Darryl and Jamie!

Recently, co founder/COO Jamie Enge was selected as a recipient of two different awards at his alma maters On September 1, 2022, Northeastern Illinois University awarded Mr Enge with the Community Impact Award, recognizing his years of service and commitment to elevating his community. Additionally, on September 15, 2022, he received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award which acknowledges his work in college access, retention, and persistence in ensuring that students, specifically Black males have equitable educational outcomes

CONGRATULATIONS, JAMIE!

In continuing our celebrations, co founder/CEO, Dr. Darryl Hylton was interviewed and published in a recent edition of Voyage LA In his article, he speaks about his success, challenges, and commitment to transforming the lives of collegiate Black men through his work with The Collegiate Black Male Network

You can check out the article here: http://voyagela.com/interview/check out dr darryl hyltons story/

The Collegiate Black Male Symposium

A professional conference experience for the Black men on your campus!

Attending a national conference can be costly with minimal impact. However, with The Collegiate Black Male Symposium, we work with colleges/universities to maximize dollars and increase impact, ultimately providing a transformational experience for staff and students.

In a nutshell, we bring the conference experience to you! That's right, our Network of Experts will bring high quality service and facilitation. There are even faculty/staff development sessions led by

(or both)

Amplified

New Beginnings

By: Dr. Darryl Hylton

Wh th fi t eration college student or not, beginning college is an exciting time of new y new things, meet new people, and start figuring out how you want the

ing first year students actively engaged within their campus community school are more likely to be retained and persist towards graduation. As en have places and spaces to build community as they navigate their more critical. In this edition of Amplified, incoming first year students share most about their college experience

Da’Marrion White Harris Stowe State University

Biology, Pre Med Student

Growing up as a black male on the west side of Chicago, I’m automatically looked at among a community of young black men as a negative stereotype by society. In 2020 the “Black Lives Matter” movement brought global awareness to what people like me have to deal with for simply being ourselves This persuaded me to defy those negative stereotypes and prove that black men could be great regardless of what everyone perceived us as college and serve as a role model for the you reward that I could ask for, and it’s what I loo attending college! It also brings me joy that I becoming a doctor as a first generation colle early years of adulthood.

Elijah R. Bryant Tennessee State University

Exercise Science Student

As I start my collegiate career, I am not just looking forward to the overall HBCU experience, but as I start this new chapter of life, I would say one of the things I'm looking forward to is learning and growing more into myself as a young black man

Since I am currently eight hours away from home, I know that this will help me find the person I really am because there is nobody saying what to do, when to do it, or how to handle problems that I may have All the responsibility is on me which will put my strength to the test and show me who I really am This is very important to me because I plan to learn from my experiences in these next four years and let them mold me into the best version of myself so that after I leave my mark at Tennessee State, I will take everything I learned and then leave my mark on the world.

"Can You Hear Me Now?!"

Kaiden Drain Grambling State University Biology Student

The world of maturing has many avenues. One particular avenue that I've taken a high interest in is internships, school programs related to my major, and promising connections with staff and students I have created a list of different summer internships locally in Dallas and other states. I "WILL!" become a Neuroanesthesiologist, and I feel it is vital to possess a wide range of relevant science programs on your resume I will also participate in clubs and organizations supporting biology majors I believe this will aid my knowledge and experience in the medical field; It also allows me to be in a trusted space with like minded individuals Lastly, I believe those connections will guide me through the undergraduate program and matriculation into medical school. I've already made connections linking me to medical schools, physicians, and other aspects of life numerous opportun neration.

DeChi Peterso te University, Fort Coll

elds I’m pursuing. Bo ing I’m excited to ha to pick their brains a ing the chance to ha d my knowledge on t d of this college phas myself in front of gian

Tyreek Scott

Spartanburg Methodist College Criminal Justice Student

What I'm looking forward to the most in college is the feeling of doing things on my own, not having to rely on my parents or anyone else, and, most importantly, learning new things. In college, I will experience many new things, like living in a dorm, attending college events, staying up as long as I want to with my friends, watching movies, playing manhunt, and studying together. I think of these events as new experiences because I never experienced them in high school And graduating from high school and going straight into college allowed me to be my best self and see new things Being in college helps me understand what life is giving me. For example, life is giving me a chance to fully be who I am and being able to take opportunities to protect those who cannot defend themselves, and being challenged to see what I can handle

Political Science and Theater Performance Student

ONYX25 ONYX25

RECOGNITION & LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

NOW PREPARING FOR COHORT 2!

The Collegiate Black Male Network is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help increase the persistence and graduation rates of collegiate Black men

The ONYX25 Under 25 Recognition & Leadership program is designed to celebrate African American male undergraduate students across the nation who have proven themselves as role models for their campus and community In collaboration with our various partners, we are supporting the next generation of leaders to be competitive in the global market.

Recognition

Engagement

Other benefits include a Certificate of Recognition, Official Lapel Pin, Induction Ceremony, Special Feature in The Educated Mentor, Organizational swag items, and more!

the mentor

By: Dr. Darryl Hylton

CContinuing our celebration and recognition of individuals doing the work of mentorship, this quarter, we are highlighting Dr Will Sheppard, who is making an impact within his respective community at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina

Tell us a little about your background, who you are, where you're from, etc.

Education has been my saving grace. I am originally from Tyler, Texas, where I grew up in poverty and learned many valuable life lessons, including grit, faith, and resilience As a first generation college student, I was determined to succeed despite having difficulty adjusting to and navigating college at the University of Central Missouri. Persisting on, I earned a Master of Science in degree from the University of South Dakota Understanding the

importance of lifelong learning, I earned my Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and continue to expand my learning through professional development and certifications, such as the relationship coaching certificate I am currently working on

Who are the mentors (if any) that have had the most significant influence on you? What was the best piece of advice they gave you?

Unfortunately, I did not have any formal mentors growing up or during my college years. I took advice from many professionals I respected and utilized personal experiences to navigate where my journey was taking me I also lived vicariously through others to minimize mistakes and decisions that could result in negative impacts The best piece of advice I received from the professionals I connected with was “understand who you are as a person and heal from past trauma, forgive yourself, and help others.”

What does mentorship mean to you?

Mentorship can mean different things depending on the perspective of the goal both people want to achieve Positive mentorship means a mature experienced individual sacrifices time, energy, and intentional engagement to develop someone on the path to success. Mentorship gives affirmation to some that never receive it at home and propels them to be the best version of themselves they can be going forward personally and professionally Mentorship is also a reciprocal relationship With the students and young professionals I am honored to mentor, I also learn and grow in the mentorship process.

Tell us a bit about Hammond's new male mentoring program, which you founded.

The Black Male Excellence Initiative started in the Fall of 2021 because passionate faculty and staff members want to see males who identify as Black have a successful first year experience and beyond. After being co awarded a grant to research the experiences of high achieving Black males at the end of their first year of college with my research colleague Dr Brandy Bryson, the idea to further the research findings into practical applications birthed the Black Male Excellence Initiative We were awarded the Chancellor's Innovation Grant, a competitive grant on our campus that allowed us to build the initiative. I oversee the initiative's framework with the assistance of outstanding faculty and staff, monitoring their sense of belonging and academic success I also teach a first year seminar class that is required for them to take We discuss their experiences on campus, nurture a strong scholarly identity, and formulate avenues for success to work through barriers. We know from

the research shows that Black males face tremendous barriers in K 12 schools, postsecondary education, and society writ large These barriers have cumulative effects that can sometimes create long lasting negative impacts and inequitable access to opportunities for advancement With the BMEI leadership team's support, I connect them to services such as mental health and wellness counselors, academic tutors, social and educational programming, and career development to help them feel, look and be their best! The work is to help them increase their self confidence, self actualization, and an overall commitment to holistic success

What attracted you to doing the work you are currently doing?

I am attracted to the work by my experiences as a first generation, low socio economic status college student athlete, Black male. I was placed in situations where unconscious and conscious bias was consistently perpetuated in the academic and community spaces I inhabited. After getting shamed by college professors for academic outcomes that supplemental interventions and support should have supported, I vowed one day that if I were blessed with the opportunity to serve Black male college students, I would give it all I had One of the major findings from the research project on high achieving Black males with Dr. Bryson was the necessity for Black men to address our collective and individual traumas. I know I have to continue working to overcome the trauma I experienced, and I talk about that work to be a role model for Black men I want them to know that going to counseling is a sign of strength and not weakness The healing part of this work is challenging, with each scholar having unique experiences, and I want to help them find ways to see the bond they can have with each other. I see the beauty in the community, and I want to keep it excelling.

What has been the most rewarding experience working with young black males?

The most rewarding experience working with the Black Male Excellence Initiative is seeing the growth of the scholars as they find new strengths and areas they need to heal and root themselves in discipline for growth It is exciting to see the journey and the scholars discovering more about themselves and their potential to see their brilliance!

What specific advice would you give those individuals who are looking to mentor Black men? Mentoring can heal or cause additional pain If you are going to be a mentor, be committed to being a positive mentor to assist in the person's growth and not your recognition Black males need mentors more than ever to overcome the generational trauma and see the King in them. Mentoring to break down egos, walls, and stubbornness to change is so needed in our society, but it's also crucial to understand that the walls and stubbornness are a response to trauma and the stereotypes that create a deficit narrative about Black men Given these cumulative and systemic barriers, mentors must take a holistic approach to champion Black males and bring out their strengths and assets.

Anything else you would like to share with us?

Society sees Black males as athletic, thugs, lazy, etc , so we must not buy into the narrative that we are less than or fit the mainstream stereotypes. I thank the mentors of all races and genders for committing their time to uplift Black scholars. This is a challenge, and it will always take a village.

THE TCOLLEGIATE HE COLLEGIATE

BLACK MALE SYMPOSIUM

A professional conference experience for the Black men on your campus!

The Collegiate Black Male Network is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help increase the persistence and graduation rates of collegiate Black men.

THINK ABOUT IT

Attending a national conference can be costly with minimal impact. However, with The Collegiate Black Male Symposium, we work with colleges/universities to maximize dollars and increase impact, ultimately providing a transformational experience for staff and students

Student Experience

We offer a variety of leadership sessions centered in increasing awareness of issues affecting Black men in society.

Faculty/Staff Development

We offer strategy sessions for staff interested in starting or enhancing a Black male initiative or program on campus

All-Inclusive Package

We provide everything you need for an all inclusive price. That's right! One price covers the entire conference experience.

Our Network of Experts are guaranteed to provide a high-quality service to enhance the overall experience of collegiate Black men on your campus.

DEAR DBROTHER EAR BROTHER

A WORD OF AEMPOWERMENT WORD OF EMPOWERMENT

BY: MACKLIN BGIPSON Y: MACKLIN GIPSON

Dear

A Word of Empowerment

"

. . . during your college experience you will have some exciting and challenging moments, unexpected blessings, and some disappointing times."

Macklin Gipson

IDear Brother,

I want to first thank you for taking the time to read this letter. My goal in this letter is to empower and motivate you as you matriculate through your college journey and my hope is for you to empower and motivate the next younger brother who follow your path.

Your college experience will be a time in your life in which you will explore and experience many things beyond your imagination. You will meet many people; some will help you along the way and some will serve as a mere distraction As I express my level of transparency in this letter, during your college experience you will have some exciting and challenging moments, unexpected blessings, and some disappointing times. This journey will be full of feelings and mixed emotions that will help you develop holistically and prepare you for real world challenges.

As you continue to read this letter, I want to leave you with a few tips that will motivate and encourage you along your college journey. The first thing is, ‘Always Focus on the Big picture.’ As you face challenges on this journey, you must remember that your main goal is to graduate No matter what you encounter, understand that the number one objective is for you to reach the finish line, which is graduation. The next thing is, ‘Take This Time To Discover Who Are’ This time in your life should be all about you Although you will meet and connect with many people, please take the time to connect with yourself. Connecting with yourself will allow you to strengthen your insecurities and will ultimately lead you to live a fulfilling life. The third tip is to ‘Discover Your Life Calling or Purpose’ Believe it or not, you were born with a purpose. Your life purpose will become your daily motivation and your daily motivation will allow you to strive to become a better person every day My last tip is, ‘Appreciate the Undervalued Blessings’ An example of an undervalued blessing is, the ability to wake up every morning or having the opportunity to attend college. Undervalued blessings are things money cannot buy Having a sense of gratitude and humility will allow the right people to gravitate toward you and for many opportunities and blessings to fall into your lap In closing, I hope this letter served you well and I wish you the best of luck on your journey.

Your Brother, Macklin Gipson, M.A. Lane College, '08 Norfolk State University, '14

Macklin Gipson