Introduction | Program Philosophy | Conclusion | Kwanzaa Links | Group Picture | Book List | Activities

Introduction by Jerrell J. Braxton, MSSW, CICSW

The Brothers of Kwanzaa is an award winning African American male support group that began in November 1992, at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts and Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts. The program was necessary due to the on-going deteriorating status of Black male students in the Milwaukee Public School System, (MPS), and throughout society in general. With only a few exceptions, Black men trail all other population groups in important indicators of socioeconomic conditions (Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1990). Five such social indicators are health, status, education, employment/income status, crime and life expectancy.

The current plight of the Black male has been documented in an abundance of statistics dramatically demonstrating that they one of the most distressed populations in our society. In fact, an article printed in the Milwaukee Sentinel, in August, 1994, titled "Are Black Men Nearly Extinct?" suggests that the Black male is in a major crisis and literally faces extinction.

Sometimes society and the Black community unknowingly collaborate an unprecedented assault on Black males. As Black males, we have become partners in our own demise (~Parham, 1989). The current status requires educators to seek alternative ways to make an impact on this population of students. It is this author's belief that Black male students working collaboratively with Black male staff and Black men from the community can make a significant impact on the devastating pattern of failure that we currently see in process. As Black men, we must simultaneously shoulder some of the responsibility for developing intervention strategies that will ultimately impact on this population as well as society in general.

It is important to note that the Brothers of Kwanzaa program is supported by teachers and administrators off all different ethic groups in different capacities of assistance. We firmly believe that it will take our combined efforts to improve not only the plight of Black males but our combined efforts to improve our overall society.

Program Philosophy by Jerrell J. Braxton, MSSW, CICSW

The major focus of the Brothers of Kwanzaa is to empower African American males to succeed. That is to succeed academically, emotionally, professionally and socially. In order to accomplish this goal, a combined effort/exchange between African American males and students is emphasized and encouraged.

Given the current state-of-the-art for Black males, it is important that Black male youth be actively and productively involved in the process of addressing these major concerns. By being involved in this process, it is hoped that the student's motivation will increase to academic success as well as a successful attitude towards life in general.

Brothers of Kwanzaa is a structured but unstructured group. It is constantly evolving. This empowerment intervention for Black males takes into account African-American culture and it's important role in fostering socialization. Thus our group session encourages intelligent verbal spontaneity that will hopefully encourage the development of critical thinking skills.

Another important component is mentoring. This continuum begins with adults in charge, to community speakers and to the students themselves. In addition, the high school boys serve as mentors for the middle schools boys and ultimately the middle school students will serve as mentors for elementary students, thereby, establishing a continuum that addresses the five social indicators as well as other areas such as increased cultural awareness and building self-esteem.

The groups major emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills or survival skill training. Promoting students to critique speakers, documentaries and field trips forces students to think critically about issues that affect their lives presently and in the future.

Finally, group activities and sessions are designed to place emphasis on "internal;" factors as opposed to "external" factors. Internal meaning, "identifying strengths within that will assist in developing pathways to success opposed to pathways to failure".

Speaker Recognition Banquet:
Each May a banquet is held to honor the speakers who have made presentations. Students organize and conduct the banquet. Student entertainment has been featured in the program that primarily focuses on the goals and objectives as well as social indicators and the Nguza Saba. A Kwanzaa Man of the Year award is given to the student who exemplifies what we are attempting to achieve.

In conclusion, the Brothers of Kwanzaa is a collaborative effort by a few who felt that the worst thing we could do as educators is nothing at all. We are aware that we do not have all the answers, but we have taken the approach that our collaborative efforts can make a difference in the destructive pattern that we are currently witnessing. It is, also, our belief that these young men come to our school seeking avenues of success that must be cultivated, if they are to become successful in life.

visit www.tike.com/ Click for Yahoo.com Kwanzaa sources

North Divisions's Young Men of Harambee
are featured in the Journal Sentinel, (1-20-99),
for their efforts to visit Connecticut to see the replica slave ship, Amistad.

mailto: Jerrell J. Braxton @mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us

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