The Think Tank for African American Progress

 

Call for Solutions

The Think Tank for African American Progress – to be held in Memphis from October 14 to October 16, 2009 – seeks solutions to challenges confronting Black boys and young men. We are inviting scholars, activists, and advocates to join us for the 2009 Think Tank with the theme “What is the Future of Black Boys?”. Practitioners, community activists, and researchers whose efforts are related to the following thematic areas are invited to submit a solutions proposal in relevance to one of the 4 thematic areas: (1) Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (S.T.E.M); (2) Education/Youth Development; (3) Community/Economic Development, and (4) Health.

The Think Tank will feature opportunities for practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and, Black youth themselves to: (a) dialogue about solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing our communities; (b) think about strategies to resolve these challenges; and (c) design methodologies by which to implement solutions. We will consider formal, applied program evaluations as well as papers that integrate theoretical perspectives to better inform local, state, or federal policies.

Those wishing to participate in the Think Tank should submit a 750 – 1000 word proposal summary detailing a specific challenge facing Black boys and young men, along with an outline of suggested solutions. The summary should outline specific solutions or strategies for an issue in one of the previously mentioned areas. It should also include a rationale for the proposed solution(s), and strategies that a target audience (i.e., practitioners, parents, educators, and policy makers) could feasibly implement. In addition, applicants should identify what resources are needed in the implementation of the proposed solutions. First authors of accepted proposals will receive free registration to the Think Tank to present their paper in a poster presentation. In addition, there will be publication and collaboration opportunities (e.g., special issues in peer-reviewed journals and funded workgroups) from the Think Tank.
Potential Topics

Solutions for Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (S.T.E.M) include but are not limited to:
• Strategies for addressing challenges for Black boys to participate in ‘Green jobs and careers’.
• Explorations in creative methods to encourage African American boys to pursue education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M).
Proposals are due August 15, 2009. Accepted submissions will be notified by
August 31st via email. Please submit your proposals to Renee Taylor at
taylorr1@rhodes.edu. For any additional information and/or questions, contact
Dr. Leon D. Caldwell at 901-843-3247 or visit www.thinktankforprogress.org.
Page 2 of 2
• Evaluation of educational and public policy that impact Black boys’ participation in and use of advanced technologies.
Solutions for Education/Youth Development include but are not limited to:
• Solutions addressing the social contexts that inspire and influence Black boys’ educational achievement. Under this theme, we are interested in work addressing contested areas of Black boys/young men’s development (e.g. the role of schools, peers, parents, and administrators in Black boys’ achievement).
• Investigations of the interaction between educational achievement and other indicators of well being. We are especially interested in solutions that speak to the impact of individual health and parental health on Black boys’ achievement.
• We are interested in solutions that explore state policies regarding charter and public school partnerships and other innovations to improve educational outcomes.
• Considerations of multi-level effects. We welcome strategic action plans regarding issues of environment such as crime and safety.
Solutions for Community/ Economic Development include but are not limited to:
• We welcome a wide range of approaches in this section, but are especially interested in solutions that integrate Black boys’/young men’s existing cultural assets into the discussion of economic development.
• Action plans that address such community challenges as prisoner re-entry.
• Explorations of viable ways to build community sustainability through programs like community gardening and farmers’ market.
• In this area, we are interested in studies of successful communities and/or community organizations that can serve as models for other groups.
• Evaluations of public policy initiatives intended to stimulate economic/community development.
Solutions for Health include but are not limited to:
• Resolutions to the social determinants of Black boys/young men’s health. Under this rubric, we welcome a wide array of proposals, including models of health-promoting interventions within a variety of settings (e.g., families, schools, churches, community based organizations, and juvenile justice).
• Assessments of Black boys/young men’s access to health care. We will entertain proposals on innovative responses to under-utilization of health services, as well as ways to redefine proper utilization of services and access to health care services.
• Explorations of Black boy’s relationship with Black girls and women including sexual identity and behaviors.
• Examinations of Black boys and men’s psychological and mental health and their relationship with, exposure to and impact of violence including community, family, intra- and interpersonal violence.