Author Talk: Benjamin E. Mays Institute: Educating Young Black Males by Sadiq Ali

As a teacher, Sadiq Ali witnessed the profound challenges facing his black male students from impoverished neighborhoods: poor standardized test scores, high dropout and low graduation rates, high rates of unemployment and incarceration, and gang violence. After an eighth-grade student was killed in a gang-related incident, Ali resolved to provide a positive opportunity for other kids like him.

He established an African-American all-male school program based on the methodologies of existing schools, including Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and Paul Robeson academies in Detroit, Michigan, and on the theories of African-centered educational experts such as Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Dr. Na’im Akbar, Dr. Asa Hilliard, and Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of the African values concept Nguzo Saba. Benjamin E. Mays Institute: Educating Young Black Males is the story of the school Ali founded.

Mr. Ali will be at the Beatley Central Library on Saturday, December 5 from 11:00am-1:00pm to discuss and sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase.

Beatley Central Library

5005 Duke St.

Alexandria, VA 22304

703-746-1751

www.alexandria.lib.va.us