Black Boys Can - Luton
Beneficiaries: African/Caribbean boys aged 7-16
This is an empowerment project, which operates in Luton as a community franchise of the National Black Boys Can Association. The Luton project seeks to raise educational achievement levels for boys of African/Caribbean heritage from 23% to that of the national average of all pupils. The project started in 2002. It works with local schools supplementing the work of schools. It also delivers a culturally sensitive empowerment programme and mentoring service in the community. The Centre facilitates information events for parents with the aim of improving the education outcomes of their sons. It also works with the local African/Caribbean Communities, Education Authority and other statutory and voluntary services.
“Maximising the learning potential of Black Boys and improving their life chances
BLACK BOYS CAN
Who are we?
Black Boys Can Luton is part of the National Black Boys Can Association, which has Bill Morris Leader of the TGWU, as its Patron.
What are we working to do?
Black Boys Can Luton is working to maximise the learning potential of Black Boys (first and foremost of African/Caribbean/Mixed Heritage Boys, and other Black Boys aged 7 plus), and to improve their life chances.
How are we doing this?
By:
- Building confidence, knowledge and skills of Black Boys with a view of unleashing their full academic and social potential.
- Fostering an attitude of academic success and succeeding amongst Black Boys.
- Highlighting the successes and achievement of Black Boys.
- Supporting and encouraging parents in engaging in their son’s academic life.
- Challenging the negative stereotype image of Black Boys.
- Providing opportunities for Black Boys to maximise the potential through a balance range of school based and community based personal development activities.
- Working effectively in partnership with Black Boys, their Parents, local Schools, Luton Borough Council’s Children Fund, Community, Voluntary and Statutory Agencies.
What does that look like in practice?
This involves taking several innovative approaches that includes: -
School Based Partnership: Working through localised specific BB CAN/ School Partnership focusing on supporting black boys in developing education excellence and academic advancement through ‘Group Sessions’ and ‘One-to-one session on school premises’.
Community Based Partnerships: Working across local areas to bring Black Boys together for centralised personal development skills and success strategies activities and opportunities through ‘Group Sessions’ and ‘One-to-One Session’. Providing workshops for community and professionals on working and supporting Black Boys in their development.
Monthly Parents Empowerment Support Meetings/Workshops
Workshops and information sessions for Parents in supporting and encouraging their boys through the challenges and pressures faced by Black Boys within in the UK.
Why Black Boys Can - Luton?
The impetus for the creation of Black Boys Can Luton has come from the hearts of parents and the Black Community
who who have felt the need for a community led pro-active approach to ensure that Black Boys achieve their academic potential and are supported through their personal development and growth, and to secure their rights to contribute to society as academics, leaders, doctors, politicians, directors, entrepreneurs, scientists, etc and not to satisfy negative stereotype images portrayed of Black Boys and Black Men.
Saturday Success School
Bridging the critical gap in personal, social, pastoral and development education for boys (especially those of African & Caribbean or mixed heritage)
- Raising academic and social aspirations
- Developing a “Can do!” mentality
- Build self-confidence
- Building self-esteem
- Building self—respect
- Developing self-discipline
- Developing a success mentality
- Raising a generation for success
- Engaging with successful role models within the Community
Every Saturday morning (10am—11:45am) starting from age 5+
