The Educated Mentor: Volume 3, Issue 4 (Spring 2023)

Spring Spring 2023 2023

MENTOR MENTOR THE EDUCATED THE EDUCATED

MESSAGE FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS

As we enter the fourth quarter, we remain steadfast in our organization's mission. In the next few weeks, The CBM Network staff will host our annual co-founders' retreat, allowing our staff time and space to assess and reframe our work as we continue striving to accomplish the goals within our strategic plan

Additionally, we are excited to share that our second cohort of ONYX25 is preparing for Phase 3: Inward Journey, which focuses on self/personal development. We are proud of the work our Director of National Programs, Mr. Gregory Dendy, Jr., is doing with our young men.

Lastly, we would like to extend our biggest congratulations to all collegiate Black males preparing to graduate from their respective colleges Young men, as you prepare for life after graduation, we recommend three steps:

1) research and explore different opportunities to elevate your skillset,

2) network with professionals in your desired field, and

3) never give up on yourself or your dreams; you did not come this far only to get this far.

As always, we appreciate your continued love and support

In Mentorship,

Dr Darryl Hylton, Jr Jamie L Enge

Dr Darryl Hylton, Jr & Mr Jamie Enge Co-Founders

BOARDOFDIRECTORS

DR. TYMON GRAHAM Board Chair

MS CORTNEY EDWARDS General Board Member

DR. ANITA BLEDSOE-GARDNER General Board Member

DR. JONATHAN FREEMAN General Board Member

MR DEMETRICK COLEMAN General Board Member

AT A GLANCE AT A GLANCE AT A GLANCE

$2.1K $2.1K $2.1K Acquired in donations Acquired in donations Acquired in donations

8 8 8

Total numbers of donors Total numbers of donors Total numbers of donors

0 0 0

Gifts were made by Gifts were made by Gifts were made by organizations/businesses organizations/businesses organizations/businesses

Gregory Dendy, Jr.

Rhuna Holley

Jamie Enge

Marquise McGriff

Lindsey Nurczyk

Nadine Spruell

Joyce Walker

THANK YOU!

8 8 8 Gifts were made by Gifts were made by Gifts were made by iindividuals ndividuals individuals

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 one (or both) of our co-founders.

Schedule Your Consultation, Today!

Email info@thecbmnetwork org

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.

Is there a future Attorney in the house?

On behalf of The Collegiate Black Male Network, we would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to ONYX25 Cohort 1 member Curtis Shannon, Jr , who was accepted to the University of Roehampton in London, England for Law School.

Achievement in Every Field

We would also like to send a major shoutout and congratulations to ONYX25 Cohort 1 member Travis Henderson who was recently initiated into the Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated at the Univeristy of the District of Columbia.

Article Submission

Are you looking for opportunities to publish? For our upcoming quarterly journals, we seek individuals to share their knowledge, expertise, and experience with The Collegiate Black Male Network community. Please see below for Volume 4 deadlines.

Deadline for Articles

Issue Deadline

Fall 2023

Winter 2023

Spring 2024

Summer 2024

August 31, 2023

November 30, 2023

February 28, 2024

May 31, 2021

Published

October 1, 2023

January 1, 2024

April 1, 2024

July 1, 2024

For more information on submission criteria, visit www.thecbmnetwork.org/theeducatedmentor

Amplified

What is Your Dream?

By: Dr. Darryl Hylton

Black men often have dreams of creating a better future for themselves and their communities, leaving behind a positive legacy The Collegiate Black Males Network recently hosted its third annual Educated Black Man event. This year's theme, k men from various colleges nationwide to ng the world. Here are a few excerpts from the

Jaelin Mitchell

George Mason University

Senior, Choral Music Education; Minor: African and African American Studies

As someone who grew up attending schools filled with "at-risk youth," I dream of becoming the Secretary of Education in the Commonwealth of Virginia My personal experiences have shown me firsthand the importance of quality education, particularly for those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds As Secretary of Education, my goal would be to help students facing similar challenges. This would involve developing policies and programs that provide better access to educational resources, particularly in underfunded schools Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances Furthermore, I would prioritize initiatives to improve graduation rates, reduce dropout rates, and increase college enrollment rates among at-risk students. I believe these efforts can significantly impact the lives of countless young people, helping them achieve their full potential and realize their dreams Overall, my personal experiences have instilled in me a deep passion for education and a desire to help at-risk students in any way I can. Serving as the Secretary of Education in the Commonwealth of Virginia would provide me with a powerful platform to make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless students.

Jawaad Williams Coppin State University

Junior, Major: Psychology; Minor: Criminal Justice

My dream as a professional is to become a child trauma therapist. Growing up and coming to terms with myself as a young adult, I realized several unsettling issues about myself have been an effect of non-resolved trauma Children are young and free-spirited individuals who deserve the chance at healing from a young age. Someone to know that despite their battles, there’s someone there to lift them up I think children deserve that chance to learn and grow from experiences at a young age, to break the cycle of untreated trauma that we see today in our current generation The children of today are our future, and they deserve to grow in a headspace that isn't clouded, but rather flourishing into new life and prosperity

"Can You Hear Me Now?!"

Keyshawn Harris Elizabeth

City State University

Senior, Major: Criminal Justice and English

My dream is to be a pillar for the generation after me. I strive to be able to represent those who look like, talk like, and act like me There is little visual representation for men such as myself I will be an Esquire and practice law to the best of my ability. While doing that, I also will be pivotal for my people . Growing up, I rarely saw people in prestigious positions such as this Being from the 757, you only see athletes and gangsters. I will paint a narrative that there is more to life than just that. That was my whole motivation for joining the greatest organization Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc, where I serve as the President of the Epsilon Alpha Chapter at ECSU. Greatness is innate to me and I will achieve It.

Nabil Abas Univeristy of Missouri-Kansas City

Senior, Major: Interpersonal Communications

My name is Nabil Abas; I am a current senior attending the University of MissouriKansas City, earning my BA in Interpersonal Communication Studies in May 2023. I currently serve as a Program Support Specialist for one of our flagship student success programs at UMKC, First Gen Roos. This program strives to build a supportive, energic, and inclusive campus community among our first-generation college students

What is my dream? This is a great question! My goal is to help others accomplish their dreams in whatever way that looks like If that is making sure they are aware of community resources, education resources or helping to eliminate any language barriers by any means necessary My dream has always been to continue to lift others & their goals because that is what my support system has done for me

THE COLLEGIATE THE 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

WHAT WE OFFER:

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.

the mentor

By: Jamie Enge

GGregory Alan Dendy, Jr. is a highly respected and experienced individual and mentor who has a strong commitment to serving others As we shine a spotlight on his work related to mentorship, it is clear that Mr Dendy's passion for helping others is matched only by his dedication to excellence

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

My name is Gregory A. Dendy, Jr., a native of Southeast Washington, D C, and I am a second-year doctoral student at Morgan State University I am the oldest of 5 children in a singleparent household, and two bonus siblings who I love dearly As the oldest of the home, I was always recognized as the standard creator or even the curse breaker. As the golden child, this mentality was more of responsibility than it was a superlative Because I saw this as a responsibility, I have used that energy to propel me in my everyday successes where possible This mentality helps to shape the way I engage with students and professionals on a daily basis.

In 2014, I attended Fisk University a small private liberal arts HBCU in Nashville, Tennessee as a firstgeneration and limited-income college student Many of my experiences there helped refine my attitude towards my responsibility as the golden child I became an advocate for the work of Student Success. After graduating in May of 2018 with a degrees in Political Science and Sociology, I wanted to continue my work focusing on developing the idea of success within Higher Education with the marginalized in mind With that thought in mind, I continued my education at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee For me, my focus was on something other than practicing ministry as usual. I coined myself as the ‘Higher Education Minister’ or H.E.M. This title was coined through the influence of Sam Cook’s discography and the scriptural reference to the woman with the issue of blood As a HEM, I wanted to bridge the gap between higher education and the spirit of intentional community engagement, but with the marginalized in mind I was able to obtain my Master of Divinity with a concentration in Black Religion and Culture Studies, with my thesis titled Ministry of Higher Education: The Role of The Master Teacher in Higher Education. After completing this noble accomplishment, I knew my work was incomplete It was time, even amidst a pandemic, to take on the challenge that helped make me who I am today I wanted to take on the beast that is Higher Education. I returned to my HBCU roots, after being accepted as a doctoral student, at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD as a Higher Education Student Affairs student. Many would argue that I have yet to take a break, but my responsibility as the golden-child won’t allow me to see those with whom I share identities suffer any more than required

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?

If I were to think about mentors that have had the most significant influence on me, beyond those who are often celebrated due to their political status, I would have to say Dr. Darryl Hylton (CEO of The Collegiate Black Male Network) and James Wagner, current writer for the New York Times. These two gentlemen are people I saw myself looking up to and still celebrate the moments we shared and the push they offered me that helped to create who I am today

Dr Hylton has always reminded me that I cannot expect others to want my success as much as I want it for myself. That mentality helped remind me to be thankful for the support I have and appreciate it as much as possible. As someone with a big heart and dedication to service, I often think the best of everyone and when moments come where I am failed I would take on the burden of responsibility.

James was quite beneficial in my upbringing due to him being a great writer. I often am a great lover of the idea of storytelling, mainly due to him James would constantly remind me to flex or showcase my bragging rights. Being able to and comfortable sharing my story helps me with those moments of imposture syndrome I never truly understood the power of storytelling before meeting James.

What does mentorship mean to you?

Mentorship is both a responsibility and an opportunity to assist with present and future problems. As a responsibility, it is essential that we offer mentorship for the overall uplifting of society If we desire to see shifts in society for good, mentorship is just the beginning. As an opportunity, mentorship should be celebrated and cherished like one would a newborn baby. We should be intentional with all that we do around mentoring others. Sacrifices should be made in order to account for potential

growth across all parties. One thing I also believe is necessary with mentorship is establishing boundaries and honoring them. We live in a world where a lot of people assume mentorship is a lifelong commitment. Mentorship should have terms and conditions, so that all parties are aware of what expected results look like. One should be able to re-address the terms and conditions where necessary regarding mentorship. Should all parties come together and realize mentorship is no longer needed, that is understandable and there should be no hard feelings as the tools and experiences gained will allow all to succeed

What attracted you to work in the field of higher education?

My identities as a First-Generation Limited Income and being a Black male, are what attracted me to work in higher education. In my experience, I think about areas of opportunities where those identities were not always affirmed or supported and desire to be the person who creates the change for the future

Tell us about your Morgan State University and The Collegiate Black Male Network work.

At Morgan State University, I am a Student Affairs Professional working within the Student Affairs Division In my role, I work as a Resident Director for a community of 200+ first year male students These students are a joy to work with. I am grateful for the opportunity to leverage my privilege, experiences, and intellect for their support. As someone who believes in student success, beyond that of the academics, this can be as simple as teaching a resident how to tie a tie or as complex as offering advice for relationships in 2023. Regardless, I love my experience with the students here.

As the Director of National Programs for the Collegiate Black Male Network, I enjoy the work of being able to spearhead the programming for the national organization It allows me to remain engaged with the college students worldwide and supporters of those with whom I share identities I also am able to assist in providing platforms for students to share their experiences That is social justice work for me.

Serving as a direct service program of The Collegiate Black Male Network speaks more about ONYX25 and the need behind it.

The great thing about ONYX 25 Under 25 Recognition and Leadership Program is the fact that this opportunity is available for undergraduate students who are engaged with their campus community and who desire support with their dreams and professional aspirations. These students are able to connect with other students who look like them and share similar passions with one another, creating a community that is worth buying into The students are also given a chance at success regardless of their grade point average and major Often we see opportunities being granted to a certain archetype of student ONYX25 wants to support the work of student success regardless of a student’s access to resources The only thing that students must have, besides our qualifications, in order to participate in ONYX25 is a sense of commitment. As the Director of National Programs, I am committed to student success. Now is the time for our collegiate Black male students to control their narrative and show up for themselves. We will be here ready and excited for your success.

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

I would make the case that the most reqarding experience with working with young Black males is when you begin to see their lives or actions change because of your support It is not often that young Black males are able to express themselves, but often in their actions, we can see the mark that is left on them This also applies to me I believe often, young Black males assume that they are not equipped to make an impression on people they look up to or work alongside As I expect young Black males to learn from me, I am also humble enough to mention that often I am willing and learning from young Black males.

What specific advice would you give those looking to mentor Black men?

If you are looking to mentor Black men, it is necessary that you are just as open and transparent about your intentions as you expect from them. We have witnessed countlessly too many times where people were desiring to mentor with other motives in mind and it has often failed our Black men. If you desire to mentor, be able to be mentored. If you are not able to provide what you expect with mentoring Black men, it is simply not your time yet

DEAR BROTHER DEAR BROTHER

A WORD OF CELEBRATION A WORD OF CELEBRATION

BY: DARRYL HYLTON, ED.D. BY: DARRYL HYLTON, ED.D.

Dear Brother A Word of Celebration

Dear Brother,

TAs we end another semester, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge all of your achievements. You have worked hard to navigate the challenges of this past semester, from managing classes and assignments to holding down a job and juggling outside commitments. Your dedication and perseverance are truly admirable as a black man in college.

From balancing your academic workload to juggling outside commitments, you have shown that you are capable of achieving great things. Your commitment to your goals, community and personal growth is inspiring, and I am honored to have the opportunity to celebrate you.

As you reflect on the past semester, I encourage you to take some time to celebrate yourself and practice self-care It can be easy to get caught up in the stress and demands of college life, but it's important to remember to take care of yourself too Whether it's taking a day off to relax, treating yourself to something special, or simply acknowledging your accomplishments, celebrating yourself is a crucial part of your overall well-being.

Additionally, I want to remind you to prioritize self-care in these final days of the semester Ensure you're getting enough rest, eating well, and taking care of your mental and emotional health It's easy to get caught up in the stress and busyness of this time of year, but taking care of yourself is essential for long-term success.

I hope you take these words to heart and find some time to celebrate yourself and practice self-care in the coming days. Congratulations on a job well done, and best wishes for the future.

Love,

E.Hylton, Jr.

Darryl Hylton, Jr, EdD

Norfolk State University, Class of '13

North Carolina A&T State University, Class of '16

Gardner-Webb University, Class of '19

"Ensure you're getting enough rest, eating well, and taking care of your mental and emotional health."

-Darryl Hylton, Ed.D.

Darryl