Since the history of school and educational systems, our society has been plagued with many problems that have affected our institutions. Because we are faced with a number of discipline issues that have had a negative impact on our students and teachers, teachers have an increasingly difficult task in educating our kids.
Today, we are suspending students in record numbers and are forced to think out of the “normal box” and consider looking for different ways to keep our students focused and in school. The men of UMOJA, after several years of working with undisciplined students, at risk kids and kids that suffer from self esteem problems, which lead to academically challenged kids, feel that we can offer any district a compliment to what you are already doing to further reduce suspensions, reduce the drop-out-rate, and therefore improve academic success.
Background & Scope:
In mid 1994 several African-American men jointly set out to make a difference in the city of Fort Worth, Texas, as well as in the black community. We formed a group called UMOJA which means “UNITY”. Our goals were to take the young boys and girls of our community and mentor them to achieve the highest quality of education and professional careers. In addition, to teach the boy and girls to become men and women. Since our inception, we have become inclusive, promoting this program to all boys and girls despite their ethnicity. We want to achieve this by setting up a one stop shop (if you will), to help heal some of the aches and pains of these boys and girls and to restore hope in their lives. Our group UMOJA is comprised of about 25-30 African-American men from a rainbow coalition of careers and professions. We are the fathers and peace-keepers of our community and for this reason we have continued to achieve success through the use of various programs.
