Black men bring a unique perspective.

Districts have struggled to recruit, retain, and retire Black men from their classrooms. Our goal is to empower Black men to discover teaching.

He is Me was founded on the belief that education can impact the outcome of a young boy's life.

Founder Robert Hendricks assumed a school leadership position in a Boston high school. Having served in other roles in schools, he was well-positioned to see flaws in the education space that resulted in so few Black male teachers, despite their positive impact.

2015

He is Me Fellows frequently reflect on the intersection between their personal identities, their experiences as students, and the impact that they now have in our programs. This combination of experience and reflection empowers our fellows to obtain and retain careers in education.

2015

He is Me Institute, Inc. was founded with a mission to empower Black men to obtain and retain careers in education.

2018

He is Me was selected for a NewSchool Venture Fund Diverse Leaders grant, which included a $200,000 award. He is Me was also supported with a $10,000 grant and guidance to pilot its program from 4.0 Schools.

2019

The COVID-19 pandemic and the national rise of racial tensions pushed He is Me to shift the focus from STEAM to social-emotional learning for boys of color in a virtual setting. The program was piloted by Black males from Profound Gentlemen.

2020

The Education Equity Initiative was launched to include entities within the entire education ecosystem. All types of organizations that impact Black men being recruited, retained, and retired from education collaborate locally to fill the pipeline.

2021

Rethinking
Recruitment
Retention
Retirement

OUR MISSION

We strive to increase the number of Black men who discover the joy and adventure of teaching and who begin and remain in long-term teaching careers.

OUR VISION

We envision Black households attaining financial freedom and building wealth as a result of educational opportunities that enable Black students to achieve their highest academic potential.

OUR Values

We lead with empathy, act with integrity, experience growth through struggle, and learn through reflection.

OUR DECLARATION

We cultivate ecosystems that help Black males to thrive at every level and in all aspects of the school setting, from K-career.

He is Me Institute founder, Robert Hendricks

Message From Our Founder

ROBERT J. HENDRICKS III

We unfairly ask Black men to seek a career in a setting that does not appreciate or respect them. When schools do not act by centering the experience of Black males, the shortage of Black male teachers will continue.

When we think about recruiting, retaining, and retiring Black males from schools, we need to act early.

The experiences that Black males have when they first enter schools, the opportunities they have in college, and the environments in which they work, all contribute to their representation in the field.

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