Many individuals matriculate through their formative years in K-12 education without having an African American teacher. This is a problem for multiple reasons. Listen to Ramona’s conversation with Sharif El-Mekki as they discuss why there are so few African American teachers and what communities must do to intentionally attract them to the profession. The Center for Black Education Development is dedicated to this mission. Sharif shares strategies that the Center has implemented to address this challenge, among them public policy, professional learning and pathways. The charge is simple: #weneedblackteachers. Former Principal and Teacher, Sharif El-Mekki is the Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development. A native of Philadelphia, he continues to make the city his home.

Learn more about Sharif El-Mekki and the Center for Black Educator Development.