The Michigan Department of Education sponsored the African American Young Men in Michigan Conference at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, Ypsilanti Michigan on August 4 – 5, 2015.

In 2013 the State Board of Education established the elimination of the Achievement Gap between African American young men and the highest performing student group as a goal. In response to this, the Michigan Department of Education created a pilot program - the African American Young Men of Promise Initiative. The goal of this Initiative has been to research and implement best practice strategies designed to increase the awareness and effectiveness of staff working with these young men. The conference was the first of its kind sponsored by the Michigan Department of Education. Guest topics and workshops were designed to understand the current status of African American young men in Michigan and effective strategies being used to improve their educational achievement. One Love Global co-facilitated two sessions at the conference on My Brother’s Keeper and youth leadership.

Listen in for highlights of Keynote Speaker and Presenter:
Dr. Jay Marks, Ph.D.
Social Justice/Diversity Consultant
Oakland Schools

Jay B. Marks, Ph.D. has served as a classroom teacher for 17 years with both Detroit and Southfield Public School Systems, as well as an educational consultant on the national level. Currently, Dr. Marks is an educational consultant with Oakland Schools (the Intermediate School District in Oakland County, Michigan) where he serves and supports the professional development needs of the 28 school districts within Oakland County. He is highly sought after for his work in the areas of Social Justice, Cultural Competence, Courageous Conversations About Race, Diversity in the Classroom, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Educating African American Males, Closing the Achievement Gap, Student Engagement, Differentiated Instruction, and Urban Education.

His academic credentials include a B.S. degree from Western Michigan University (1990), M.A. degree from University of Detroit Mercy (1995), and an Ed. Specialist Certificate (1997) and Ph.D. (2005) in Curriculum and Instruction both from Wayne State University. As a graduate student, Dr. Marks studied abroad at Oxford University in Oxford, England, as a student in their British Studies Program.

Dr. Marks is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Amari (12) and Jalia (9).