Race In Education Can Be Used to Promote Diversity; Black Men in 100 Cities Will Mentor Black Boys; COSEBOC Awards $10,000 to Best Schools for Young Men of Color; Fellowship Produces the Next Generation of Black Male Achievement Leadership

U.S.Department of Education Says that Race In Admissions Can Be Used to Promote Diversity   Civil Rights Officials Issue More Flexible Rules on Use of Race in School Assignments; Admissions   By Alyson Klein December 2, 2011  Federal civil rights officials today said that school districts and colleges and universities may legally consider race when making decisions about school assignments, admissions and other programs that are designed to increase diversity and reduce racial isolation. The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education jointly released the new, more flexible guidelines that are meant to clear up confusion on how and when race can be considered in the wake of three earlier U.S. Supreme Court decisions. The two sets of guidance documents-one for K-12 school districts and the other for colleges and universities-cancel out those that were issued by the Education Department in August 2008 during the Bush administration. All educational institutions that receive federal funding-roughly 15,000 school districts and more than 3,000 colleges and universities-will receive the guidance. "Racial isolation remains far too common in America's classrooms today and it is increasing," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan. "This denies our children the experiences they need to succeed in a global economy, where employers, co-workers, and customers will be increasingly diverse. It also breeds educational inequity, which is inconsistent with America's core values." The new guidelines are meant to clarify how school districts may legally consider the race of students in their plans to promote diversity and limit racial isolation in schools. The guidance is based largely on three Supreme Court rulings that directly addressed the use of race in decisions about school assignments and admissions by educational institutions: Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1, Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger. According to the new guidance, school districts may use "race-neutral" approaches to make decisions about whether to admit individual students into competitive admissions schools or programs, as well as for drawing school boundary lines. Such approaches would include using students' socioeconomic status, parental education levels, the socioeconomic status of neighborhoods and the composition of an area's housing, such as its share of subsidized housing or rental housing. The guidance says that such race-neutral approaches are required to be used "only if they are workable." In some cases, the guidance states, "race-neutral approaches will be unworkable because they will be ineffective to achieve the diversity that the school district seeks or to address racial isolation in the district's schools." When a race-neutral approach doesn't work, the guidance spells out that school districts may use "generalized race-based approaches" that employ express racial criteria as long as it does not involve decision-making on the basis of any individual student's race. The generalized approach could include consideration of overall racial compositions of neighborhoods when drawing attendance zones. School districts will also be able to consider the race of individual students if it is "narrowly tailored to meet a compelling interest" such as avoiding racial isolation, the guidance states. Districts should first determine that using a race-neutral approach won't work to achieve its goals. The guidance also lays out the types of programs and scenarios in which districts may wish to consider race: Locating schools, closing schools, opening up magnet programs, changing feeder patterns, redrawing attendance boundaries and admissions for competitive schools and programs. Join Black men in 100 cities mentoring Black boys and young men in January 2012 Join the Black Male Achievement Movement  during National Mentor Month, January 2012, as we mentor tens of thousands of Black boys and young men This is what happens when Black men mentor.  We mentor! Do you? Schools, faith-based organizations, fraternities, Masonic organizations, veterans associations, community-based organizations, social service agencies, companies and corporations will participate in this effort.  This is what happens when Black men mentor.  We mentor! Do you? To become one of the the Servant Leaders in your city planning and directing this effort, please call 773.285.9600. We will provide you with an organizing kit that will help you step-by-step in creating an outstanding mentoring program in your city.  We will also provide technical assistance and ongoing support.    This is what happens when Black men mentor.  We mentor!  Do you?   Most Mentoring events will occur on January 31, 2012.  Please see cities that are expected to participate as of December 8, 2011:   Albany, New York Atlanta Georgia. Baltimore, Maryland Baton Rouge, Louisiana Chicago, Illinois Cincinnati, Ohio Detroit, Michigan Houston, Texas Irvington, New Jersey Jackson, Mississippi Los Angeles, California Louisville, Kentucky Milwaukee, Wisconsin New York City, New York - Manhattan New York City, New York - The Bronx Newark, New Jersey Omaha, Nebraska Peoria, Illinois  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Phoenix, Arizona San Bernardino, California Shelbyville, Indiana  St. Louis, Missouri Tshwane, Botswana Washington DC White Plains, New York    This event was inspired by the life and life principles of Muhammad Ali (Rumble Young Man Rumble!).  The Black Male Achievement Movement was born in Louisville, Kentucky in September 2011.  Guidance, support and encouragement for this movement is provided by Open Society Foundations' Campaign for Black Male Achievement.  For more information, please call 773.285.0600. Join the Black Star Project's  Million Fathers Club for Men's College Basketball at Its Best! University of Illinois at Chicago Flames vs Northern Illinois University Huskies on  Saturday, December 10, 2011 The UIC Pavilion  525 South Racine Avenue (500 south and 1200 west) Chicago, Illinois  Game starts at 3:00 pm Call Bruce Walker at 773.285.9600 to reserve your FREE tickets. $10,000 Awards for American Schools that Educate Young Men of Color Best   Dear Friends & Colleagues, COSEBOC is pleased to announce the first annual COSEBOC School Awards, intended to celebrate successful schools. Does your school have a proven track record of successfully educating boys and young men of color? Do you know of a school that consistently generates male students of color with academic outcomes and personal characteristics that rival statewide averages? If either answer is yes, encourage them to apply. And help us spread the word. Selected schools will receive a $10,000 grant and their promising practices will be featured at our next Gathering of Leaders April 26-28, in Durham, North Carolina. COSEBOC will also promote these schools nationwide. CLICK HERE For Guidelines and Application Forms To apply, review the guidelines, complete the forms and application, and return to SchoolAwards@coseboc.org by January 12, 2012. COSEBOC will host a technical assistance conference call at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, for schools interested in submitting an application. Please share this information with any school, district, educator, researcher, community leader or policy-maker who might be interested. Thank you for building a support movement for effective schooling of boys and young men of color. Sincerely, Ron Walker Executive Director   New Fellowship Will Build the Next Generation of Black Male Achievement Leadership in America Each BMA Fellow will receive a $70,000 stipend in start-up capital as well as technical assistance over 18 months to help them launch and build their organizations. Open Society Foundations and Echoing Green Launch Black Male Achievement Fellowship Press Release Contact: Maria Archuleta marchuleta@sorosny.org 1-212-547-6916      NEW YORK - The Open Society Foundations and Echoing Green announced today a new fellowship program for individuals dedicated to improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the U.S. It is the first fellowship program of its kind that targets social entrepreneurs who are starting up new organizations in the field of black male achievement.      "We're proud to support innovators working to transform the lives of black men and boys and their communities," said Shawn Dove, Manager of the Open Society Foundations Campaign for Black Male Achievement. "Historically, black males have been prevented from fully engaging in American society due to a host of economic, civic, social, and political barriers. Now for the first time, there's a fellowship program dedicated to providing creative thinkers the space and support they need to tackle this complicated and entrenched problem."      The online application for the Open Society Black Male Achievement Fellowship will be available on December 5, 2011 and closed on January 9, 2012. It will be awarded to eight fellows who are generating new ideas and best practices in the areas of education, family, and work such as initiatives related to fatherhood, mentoring, college preparatory programs, community-building, and supportive wage work opportunities. Fellowships will also be awarded for efforts in the areas of communications and philanthropic leadership.      "The pioneering efforts of social entrepreneurs have real and long-term systemic impacts on society," said Cheryl L. Dorsey, President of Echoing Green. "We're excited to be partners in this new Fellowship program focused on black male achievement. When all segments of our society succeed, we can be much more innovative and competitive as a country."      Echoing Green has run a social entrepreneur fellowship for the past 24 years. Eighty-five percent of their Fellows remain in the social sector in leadership positions after their fellowships have ended. Each BMA Fellow will receive a $70,000 stipend in start-up capital as well as technical assistance over 18 months to help them launch and build their organizations; access to technical support and pro bono partnerships; community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders; and other benefits.      For eligibility and application information, go to: www.echoinggreen.org/bma-fellowship About the Open Society Foundations Active in more than 70 countries, the Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with local communities, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public health and education. About Echoing Green Echoing Green unleashes next generation talent to solve the world's biggest problems. We are a nonprofit social venture fund that identifies, invests in, and supports some of the world's best emerging social entrepreneurs-society's change agents. Because we believe human capital is the most important asset class, and understand the difficulties faced by social innovators who challenge the status quo with bold ideas for a better world, Echoing Green invests deeply in these next generation change agents as well as works to create an ecosystem around them that supports and celebrates social innovation as a high-impact strategy for social change.  Chicago High School Workshops for Juniors and Seniors 2011-2012  Free College Level Courses for High School Students   Health Information Technology Day and Showcase Thursday, October 20, 2011, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Discover a field that works with administrators, physicians, nurses and other clinicians to achieve total health information solutions for patients and service providers. Hands-on activity and an employer panel.  Includes lunch. ACT Prep Review Saturday, December 3, 2011 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM The review session will help prepare students to take the ACT.  Math and Science sessions will be taught by DeVry professors using official ACT review materials.  Each student will receive an ACT review booklet, free of charge.  Includes lunch. Scholarship Workshop Saturday, December 10, 2011 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Discover how to develop plans for financing your education.  Gain an understanding of Federal Aid Programs and how to complete the FAFSA process.  Learn how to find and apply for scholarships.  Includes lunch. Forensic Accounting Workshop Friday, January 20, 2012 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM DeVry University, its Keller Graduate school of Management and Becker Professional Education invite you to attend the forensic accounting workshop where your students can discover the educational requirements, career paths, and participate in a hands-on experiment from experts in the forensic accounting field.  Includes lunch. Electronics / Engineering Day and Showcase Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM DeVry's degree programs in the electronics field are based on the fundamentals of the technology driving today's systems.  Through hands-on activities, students will explore basic electronics, telecommunications, biomedical technology, and controls and instrumentation. Includes lunch. Careers in Networking and Computer Information Systems Day Thursday, March 29, 2012 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Explore opportunities in technology careers. Students discover telecommunications and computer technology in hands-on sessions.  Includes lunch. HerWorld Thursday, March 15, 2012 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Women are strongly suited for careers in business and technology.  Explore the reasons why by viewing the multimedia presentation, participating in activities, and hearing advice from the panel of female professionals.  Includes meal. Imagine Showcase-Web Graphic Design Thursday, May 10, 2012 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Be part of a hands-on workshop and showcase that provides information on web site creation using design elements such as color, form, function and perspective.  Discover more about graphic design career opportunities. Includes lunch net.builders Monday, June 25 through Saturday, June 30, 2012 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM net.builders is a six-day summer scholars program that focuses on technology, career awareness and business skills.  Students will experience technology by exploring the Internet and learning to create a web site.  Professional skills are enhanced by learning and applying presentation skills.  Finale includes lunch. Other Offerings  Passport2College is a tuition-free program offered by DeVry University for qualified high school juniors to earn college credit in pre-approved business and technology courses.  Call 773-697-2002 for more information. Visit the Campus For an interactive workshop and tour or Crash a Class, please call 773-697-2002 for information.  Pre-registration required for all programs.  For more information contact: Karin Kushino at kkushino@devry.edu or 773-697-2002. Pray the Devil Back To Hell!!! Help end the war of youth violence that is killing thousands of our children in the streets of America.  If the women of Liberia can end violence by praying and acting, so can we.  Join the women of Chicago as they pray the devil of violence in Chicago back to hell.  Join us for the film -- Pray The Devil Back to Hell! on Monday, December 12, 19 and 26, 2011 Film: 6:30 pm  Discussion and Prayer: 7:30 pm at  The Black Star Project 3509 South King Drive, Suite 2B Chicago, Illinois $5.00 for members - $10:00 for non-members.  Space is limited. You must RSVP and arrive at least 10 minutes before film time to be guaranteed your seat. All seats will be sold starting 10 minutes before film time. Please call 773.285.9600 to RSVP your seat.   Being sick and tire of being sick and tired is not enough!  You must pray and you must act. On Monday, December 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2011, the women of Chicago will gather to see the powerful movement and documentary of women that brought peace to war torn Liberia, Pray the Devil Back to Hell.  And the women of Chicago will work to pray the devil of violence and despair that is in Chicago back to Hell! Join them. Women across America can join this movement to Pray the Devil (of violence) Back to Hell in your city or town by calling 773.285.9600. Click Here to view a trailer of the documentary. The Black Star Project needs your support to continue our work. Our fundraising goal for this membership drive is $50,000 by January 31, 2012. All of the funds raised will go toward supporting the Saturday University and our programs to support Black men and boys. These initiatives need your support as a community of concerned citizens to continue this important work. If you value our efforts to reduce violence, rebuild families, and improve academic achievement, will you become a member today?     You can make a one-time contribution/investment online or you can set up monthly contributions.    Or you may send contributions/investments to:   The Black Star Project, Suite 2B 3509 South King Drive Chicago, Illinois For each $100 contribution/investment, we will send you an Educate or Die T-Shirt For each $200 contribution/investment, we will send you 1) a copy of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, 2) a copy of a DVD of Professor Alexander speaking in Chicago and 3) an Educate or Die T-Shirt.       Please call 773.285.9600 for more information.