A report on black male student success in higher education was published this year by Dr. Shaun R. Harper, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. I first met Dr. Harper while a undergraduate students at Florida A&M. He was traveling the country doing research for this report.

The report is based on the National Black Male College Achievement Study, the largest-ever qualitative research study of Black undergraduate men. Offered in the report are key insights on success from achievers at 42 colleges and universities in 20 states across the U.S.

This report is important because (in the word of Dr. Harper) “…the troubled status of Black male students at all levels of education has, unfortunately, yielded few solutions. Thus, educational outcomes for this population have remained stagnant or worsened in recent years. To increase their educational attainment, the popular one-sided emphasis on failure and low-performing Black male undergraduates must be counterbalanced with insights gathered from those who somehow manage to navigate their way to and through higher education, despite all that is stacked against them.”

The full report can be read at the link above. Below is a snapshot of the report where I was highlighted.

Sabrina Rollins is broke, jobless, and sleeping on her cousin’s floor. Life couldn’t be worse, or so she thinks…until the Federal Debt Collection Agency tracks her down.

Only 4 days away from the online premiere of the new series Debt Collectors. I’ve had a great time directing this series and working with the entire creative team.

Ok, so here’s the story on how I got involved with this project. Jahmela and Caitlin (Executive Producers of Debt Collectors) went to grad school together, (ACT) and as actresses in LA, they were tired of waiting on Hollywood to give them a role; like so many of us. So, Jahmela reached out to her fellow Spelmanite Christina (talented writer) to see if she had any good scripts. Christina had recently read an article about some person getting jacked up by some authorities for not paying some bill. Finding the situation quite interesting and humorous, the idea for a series was sparked, Christina gave life to the Federal Debt Collection Agency (FDCA) on paper and pinned a season of episodes that follow the agents of the FDCA as they work to capture and incarcerate those who fail to repay their debts.

I received the script from Jahemla, who played the lead female role in my short film Cocoa Love. After reading the series, my first response was “this is a winner” and I signed on to direct.

The first episode premieres online Tuesday, May 1. I’ll post the episode here on Flying With Bees. Until then, check out the trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=NWNnoyY9114

A year ago, I was added to the list of extraordinary black men featured on theblackmancan.org. If you missed the article you can check it out HERE.

Born from the idea that positivity yields positivity, TheBlackManCan.org (BMC) and BlackCelebrityGiving.com (BCG)  are recognizing accomplishments within the community and professional arenas with The Black Man Can Awards, which will honor black men and boys in more than 10 categories who embody the definition of a positive black male!

The Inaugural BMC Awards will honor and celebrate the positive black male in the following categories: Campus King (College Male Student), Boys II Men (Young Males) under the age of 18, Higher Education, Media (Journalism), K-12 Education, Business, Technology, Non-Profits, Law, Politics, Celebrity and Medicine. Nominations are now being accepted and will remain open until midnight on May 15th, 2012. Here’s a link to the nomination page.

Finalists will be announced May 28th, 2012 via a live Twitter Chat, with voting to take place June 1st – June 15th, 2012. Winners of the 2012 BlackManCan (BMC) Awards will receive an official crystal award trophy, website badge, bragging rights for one year and other sponsored products. Winners will be announced, Sunday June 17th, 2012, Father’s Day. For more information on the BlackManCan Awards and detailed category descriptions, visit www.BlackCelebrityGiving.com and www.TheBlackManCan.org.

Was browsing one of my favorite blogs and came across a post for a new show called “The LA Complex.”  Here’s the premise:

Small fish. Big pond. Huge dreams.

Every day, young people with stars in their eyes get off the bus in Los Angeles in search of fame and fortune. THE L.A. COMPLEX centers on a group of aspiring performers pursuing stardom in the City of Angels. Living in an apartment-style motel for displaced dreamers, each dubbed “most likely to succeed,” they all face the challenges and opportunities of a lifetime.

Caught my interest. Sure I’ll be able to relate to some of the characters. Looking forward to checking out the first episode. The show premieres on April 24th at 9pm on The CW.

Two weeks ago I was in LA going about business as usual: working at night; auditioning during the day. I learned that a group of my college friends had formed a coalition of activist called The Dream Defenders and were gathering in Florida to march 40 miles from Daytona to Sanford, Florida over the course of three days. I dropped everything and hopped on a flight to Florida. It was a no brainer. I had to be there. I had to take part in this movement. It turned out to be an experience I’ll never forget.

I know that years from now when the Trayvon Martin case is discussed, I’ll be able to tell the story of the 40 youth who marched 40 miles on the 40th day after the untimely and tragic murder of an innocent 17 year old boy who was only trying to get home out of the rain. I’ll tell of the blisters that softened our feet and perhaps even mention the racial slurs that were spouted from drivers passing by. I’ll equally tell of the supporters that joined us along our march and the churches that opened their doors to feed our empty bellies and allowed us to sleep on their pews at night.

I’ll smile with the memory of the songs we sang; songs that proclaimed we were set on marching for Trayvon, because those who believe in justice cannot rest until it’s won. I’ll tell of the Monday we hoodied up and shut down the Sanford Police Station with clear demands; demands that were heard and an arrest was made days later.

I’ll tell how I learned that the power has always been with the people, but its up to the people to stand in it and own it. I’ll tell this story to whoever will listen, so they’ll know that my generation has a place and a voice. We are not apathetic. We are not unengaged. And we will not go quietly into the night.

Want more FAIL?

If you want something different, you have to do something different. The power is with the people.