Program Description

M³turns the traditional sports and entertainment fast-track on its head by having academic performance be a primary result of the program. We also prepare boys for life and sports by teaching them healthy habits in diet, exercise and emotional development.

We are kick-starting the change by appealing to the most potent motivator that exists in children, parents and educators - self-interest. This is accomplished by developing a "cool" structure in which the boys learn; and one that their parents will readily endorse because they can easily comprehend that both they, and their children will have a materially different life when the boy succeeds. African American children and adults are continually inculcated by mass media to believe that sports and entertainment bring success, fame and wealth. It is our plan to tightly tie academics to this equation.

Participating students will be given support for:

1. Regular school attendance (parent engagement, nutritious meals, etc.)
2. Expanding horizons and maintaining academic motivation (meeting successful African American men in sports, entertainment and business, frequent field trips, etc.)
3. Working diligently on improving achievement in math and academics (tutoring before and after school & weekends)

Sports and hip-hop are used as educational tools, especially by using particular sports skills, teamwork, music and videos to get youth to critically think about manhood, careers, collaboration, organization, preparation, peer pressure, and life in general. Guest speakers from various walks of life, including the sports and entertainment industry that illustrate the empowerment of having strong reading, writing, math and science skills are invited to speak to the boys. Fieldtrips to sports facilities and teams, universities, studios and other entertainment related events can be powerful tools and incentives. We help boys become aware of the behind the scenes employment opportunities such as sports statisticians, legal workers, camera folks, audio engineering, producers, agents, etc. In addition, we expose the boys to varied career opportunities outside of the sports and entertainment arenas.

From 2007 the program will be available for students from 6 th to 8 th grade. Students with a GPA lower than 2.0 will be admitted to the program, but all students participating in the Math and Sports Academy will be required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA after first the quarter, rising to 2.5 by the end of the first full year and 3.0 by the end of the 3-year program.

Summer Program

For 4 weeks in June and July the boys participate the Math and Sports Academy.

The daily program lasts between 10 am and 3 pm Monday to Thursday each week, and includes approximately 2 hours of mathematics instruction, lunch and 2 hours of sports.

In addition to the math and sports instruction, the boys are taught to critically analyze hip-hop music videos and lyrics as well as some feature films. The purpose of these activities is to elucidate how modern culture speaks to their situation as well as to critically assess their own ideals, goals and aspirations.

The boys are introduced to leading male personalities in the African American and other communities in a weekly section called "Life & Encouragement" where black men share their stories of aspiration and achievement.

Academic year program

Throughout the school year, we will offer 19 hours of programming per week. The program meets Mondays through Thursdays from 3pm to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. In addition, we a "zero period" math instruction before school 2-3 mornings per week.

After School Program. After school activities will include:

Sports practice/conditioning (45 minutes)

Nutritional Break (15 minutes)

Warm Up: (45 minutes) SAT Question of the Day and attitudinal activities, alternating

Homework: (1 hour 15 minutes) 4 staff members each at a table with 3-4 young men

Saturday Academy. Sports, math and enrichment activities will include:

Cross country: Intense training with a heavy focus on conditioning and healthy living.

College Board: The college board is a curriculum designed to build a college going culture specifically for Middle School students. They explore their interests and possible career paths, while researching and doing projects around Universities and colleges.

Book Club: Young men and their leaders will read and discuss one book every 6 weeks

Algebra Project: The Algebra Project will provide weekly curriculum segments that will give the boys a firm foundation in Algebra for the following year.

Life and Encouragement: During these weekly sessions the students are introduced to African American men who have achieved stature in society through their professions (sports, entertainment, business, politics or other endeavors). Each week a prominent person will be invited to interact with the boys in a 50-minute session that will devote at least half the time to questions and answers.