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GREENWOOD Dist.–Profound Gentlemen (PG), an organization focused on recruiting and retaining Black male teachers in a brotherhood of wrap-around support, announced plans to expand to Tulsa at an event during Juneteenth week on Thursday.
Profound Gentlemen (PG) emerges as a dedicated non-profit organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a mission to bolster the support system for Black male educators, ensuring their retention in the field. Founded in 2015, PG strives to maintain a minimum retention rate of 90% among educators each year, while offering enhanced leadership and professional development opportunities.
At present, the organization boasts an impressive membership of 800 Black male educators actively involved in PG’s initiatives. Collaborating with Tulsa, they aim to extend their reach to over 1,000 male educators.
The numbers don’t lie: We need more Black male educators
With a meager representation of just 2% of Black male educators in schools nationwide, Profound Gentlemen is committed to creating change. Despite the low numbers, they persistently demonstrate the existence of a united community. By facilitating skill-based fellowships, hosting educator workshops, and organizing an annual conference, they foster a supportive environment.
Importantly, Profound Gentlemen encourages educators at all stages of their careers to participate. They have established cohorts catering to both those with 0-5 years of experience and those with over six years. The more experienced professionals also dedicate themselves to supporting newer educators by organizing workshops tailored to their needs.
Unifying the community, Profound Gentlemen hosts the annual Community Impact Assembly, providing a space where Black male educators can convene, learn, and forge meaningful connections.
Profound Gentlemen makes mark in Tulsa
Gavin Gabriel, the partnership coordinator of Profound Gentlemen, shared their plans regarding Tulsa, stating, “We aspire to establish Tulsa as a central hub for PG, which would necessitate a membership base of at least 25 individuals.”
Furthermore, Gavin expressed the organization’s broader vision, stating, “We aim to foster a robust nationwide community and increase representation beyond the current 2%.” The rich community spirit and historical significance of Tulsa played a crucial role in attracting the organization. Gavin further explained, “We originally planned to expand to Tulsa in 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our intentions.”
In the long run, Profound Gentlemen envisions extending their reach internationally. Job retention remains a universal concern that the organization aims to address.
As Profound Gentlemen continues to empower and unite Black male educators, their dedication to fostering a stronger community remains unwavering.
Through their initiatives and collaborations, they are steadfastly working towards transforming the educational landscape and breaking down barriers to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all educators.
For more information, visit their website.