Men in Education conference attendees engage in discussion during a life lessons workshop led by CouncilHim Foundation founder William “Coach Billy” Council.
About 85 parents, educators and community members explored topics like healthy masculinity, implicit bias and relationship skills at the UFT’s Men in Education conference. The conference, held on April 18 at UFT headquarters, was initially the brainchild of Bronx parent Andre Peterson to spur fathers’ involvement in their children’s education. The conference returned this year after a several-year hiatus, and one initiative that will be undertaken by the UFT and sponsor the NAACP New York branch is the adoption of the Boys’ Club in East Harlem to mentor middle and high school boys, said event organizer Cynthia Alvarez, UFT Manhattan parent and community liaison. Attendee Josh Cunningham said he would share what he learned with his Men’s Committee at the A. Philip Randolph Institute, a Black trade unionist group. Chapter Leader Bryce Zackery of the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice said the event encourages more parent voices and collaboration in education. “Hopefully it grows and comes back next year and we keep doing it,” he said.