PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 16, 2021) – Prairie View A&M University plans to host its Third Annual Summit on Improving Opportunities for African American and Latinx Male Youth, via Zoom, on November 16 from 6-8 p.m. New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Craft will speak at the summit to share his research and wisdom on this critical topic.

“Mr. Craft has been able to capture and stay on point regarding obstacles common to non-mainstream boys,” said Interim Dean of PVAMU’s College of Juvenile Justice Camille Gibson, Ph.D. “We are delighted that he was available to join our conversation this year. Mr. Craft gives an example of the possibilities a young African American boy growing up in Harlem might have in reaching his dreams: that of being an author and an illustrator.”

Sponsored by the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center at PVAMU, the summit welcomes educators, community members, those within the juvenile justice system, and others to learn about the difficulties and injustices faced by this marginalized, growing segment of the population.

“Persistent disparities continue among African American and Latino males, both in educational and juvenile justice settings,” said Gibson, who also serves as the executive director of the TJCPC. “Both groups are disproportionally represented in school discipline and also are in contact with the juvenile justice system.”

Informally called the Black and Brown Boys Summit, the event seeks to address the “school-to-prison pipeline” that unfairly redirects the paths of some young men of color from a future of prosperity to one aimed at the penitentiary.

“The school-to-prison pipeline is both a local—Texas—and national trend among African American and Latino male boys that enter into the educational system,” said Susan Frazier-Kouassi, Ph.D., director of the TJCPC. “But, through various disciplinary practices of the school, systematically end up leaving school and oftentimes land in the juvenile—and later, the adult—justice system. Closely examining the data will provide us with a deeper understanding.”

Originally, TJCPC wanted to include young African American and Latino males in the summit to present their voices and offer their perspectives on the life challenges they face daily. With Craft appearing as the keynote speaker, TJCPC has now proposed an exciting opportunity for a future summit that will focus specifically on the voices of the youth.

“We will plan a special summit just for African American and Latinx young males to voice their concerns, experiences, and challenges with the educational system,” said Frazier-Kouassi. “We want to give their voices our full attention.”

Frazier-Kouassi said TJCPC continues its work to establish a database on Texas programs and initiatives designed to intervene on behalf of African American and Latino male students, improving their educational as well as future opportunities.

Those interested in attending the free summit can register online. After attendees register, a Zoom link will be sent out via email shortly before the start of the summit.

“Given the shifting demographics in Texas and the United States, we must set our Black and Brown Boys up for success,” said Gibson. “Their flourishing is our tomorrow.”

-PVAMU-