Black Academia This Week Vol. 10

Note: Starting from this week Black Academia This Week will match the IGTV Series Volume # across all platforms.

Once again thank you for coming back to read another volume of Black Academia This Week or if it is your first time welcome. If you would prefer to watch Black Academia This Week, you can watch the series on Instagram @blkgradstudent. As always Black Academia This Week was created to share what is happening in the academic space within the Black community. It is a safe space to share positive news as well as things that require support. Ultimately the goal is to share information about what is going on in the Black community in academic spaces.

1: Custodian of 23 years attains teaching degree

🎓 Thank you, @wsbtv, for sharing Tylan Bailey's journey from custodian to teacher. Tylan, we congratulate you on reaching your dreams #TheStateWay! #GSU21 https://t.co/IgebFxoEJz pic.twitter.com/Qiqz4TSDjE

— Georgia State University (@GeorgiaStateU) May 13, 2021

Tylan Bailey the head custodian of Hightower Elementary has obtain his education degree from Georgia State University (GSU). His academic journey started in 2017, where he began to balance the workload of a students and a custodian. Tylan remain driven throughout the past 4 years, and through this effort was able to attain his degree. His drive was so inspirational that Hightower school staff decided to have him be the speaker for this year’s 5th grade graduation. Now with his degree in hand, Tylan would like to become a teacher and currently is searching for a position.

Note: My father is a head custodian, and has been for years. He also was working on his masters degree in my early childhood. So Tylan’s story is 100% inspirational to me to see him achieve.

2: Educational health benefits are lost for Black men due to systemic racism

Studies have shown that Black men facing systemic racism experience less health benefits from education compared to their white male counterparts. A study by Health Affairs in 2012 shows that the most educated white men experience a life expectancy increase of 12.9 years compared to the least educated white men. While the most educated Black men experience only a 9.7 year increase relative to the least educated Black men. Also, in 2019 another study was done that showed that life lost due to health challenges showed that educated Black men lost 12.09 years, while educated white men lost only 8.34 years.

Factors attributing to this experience can be examined by looking at a couple of categories: Isolation in their profession, and pressure to prove themselves career wise. Black men can feel isolated in their position because typically they might be one of the few people in their position. This can lead to a lack of connection with their peers, and cause an increased chance of depression. An increased chance of depression can also occur from trying to prove themselves. For example, the belief that they have to represent all Black men in their field versus just representing themself. Depression has the effect of leading to other health problems, which attributes to Black men not having the benefit of education on health. Ultimately, systemic racism takes away from the health benefit Black men achieve from education.

Note: I highly recommend that you read the following article for the full findings, thoughts of various Doctors (Ph.D.), and their lived experiences: Education Usually Improves Health. But Racism Sabotages Benefits For Black Men

3: Black Excellence Achievement Makers (BEAM) Awards

Sun Prairie School District held the BEAM Awards to recognize the achievement of Black students, and adults. The BEAM Awards started in 2019, as an idea from Marilyn Ruffin when she recognized that her own children, having around a 3.0 GPA, were only recognized for their basketball talent. She reached out to the Sun Prairie African American Parent Network which then helped present the first BEAM Awards. During their first year they recognized 150 students and 50 adults. This year due to the pandemic the BEAM Awards were held a little differently having the awards mailed to the 500+ winners and they held a driving parade in to celebrate. The students and parents were thrilled to attain their awards, as it shows that teachers and other people are recognizing their achievements. Although we are in a pandemic the feeling this event gave off felt like it helped bring the Sun Prairie community together.

For more information, you can read more information here: Sun Prairie BEAM Awards recognize achievements of Black students, adults