Lecture Outline

The goal of both parents and schools is to provide the best educational opportunities for all students. African-American students who are afforded this opportunity, benefit from the advantages of the private school experience, but for some of them this environment can also present potential for struggle.

There are issues that arise from being a minority in any environment, but when the environment is also a learning facility, the effects often counter the good that is intended for the student. Being young is not an easy journey. We all are affected by the hurt, lack, and loss that occurs in life. Many African-American students have additional issues, such as, identification, living in two worlds, breaking the chain of poverty consciousness, breaking the chain or being the first generation that is experiencing legacy consciousness, handling overt and subtle biases, navigating the differences in how they are raised at home and at school. The feelings generated by these issues can lead to extreme behaviors of conforming and rebelling.

Andre Salvage and Associates has developed a series of lectures and discussions that address these and other challenges facing African-American students. Without instilling a sense of separation, fear, or anger, this series of lectures and discussions will focus on tools skills and role-playing that will help African-American youth take advantage of the opportunity that school has to offer without losing themselves in the process.

Here are some of the topic discussions:

• Living in two worlds
• Being you with friends in school and friends in your neighborhood
• Rebelling or conforming and the dangers of these extremes
• Removing the chip from your shoulder or the “please like me” badge from your chest
• Finding your way through school
• How to ask for what you need
• Dealing with racial remarks
• Examining your own prejudices and biased behaviors
• Finding your balance and place in diversity

We will also do role-playing so they learn how to use their voice to:

• De-escalate potential problems
• Educate people and teachers on how to treat you
• How to ask for what you need
• Setting boundaries and still staying connected

These lectures and discussions last throughout the year with the students. This allows them to learn, digest, and use the skills taught, as well as, to see a consistent, familiar face that looks like them, which is an important part of their successful and empowering experience in school.