2013 Annual Gathering, Chicago

Past Gatherings: 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

COSEBOC 7th Annual Gathering of Leaders

YOUNG, GIFTED AND LITERATE: 
Boys and Young Men of Color Prepared for the Future 

April 25-27, 2013, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Imagine for a minute that every high school graduating class from this point forward has all young men of color exceptionally prepared to carry and shape society’s mantle. These graduates would exemplify what it means to be literate in the 21^st century, taking their rightful place in local, national, and global communities. We would then say, "There goes our Young, Gifted and Literate.”  Read more...

The 7th annual Gathering of Leaders showcased schools and the exemplary literacy practices that they employ as they prepare boys and young men of color for their place in society and the 21st century global community. 

"The 7th Gathering of Leaders will feature COSEBOC Award Schools that are proof that there are educational environments that work extremely well for boys and young men of color. These are schools that are unrepentant in their belief that these students can succeed and soar to great achievement levels. Each is led by a Principal who is determined in their mission to build great schools. They know that great schools are not an accident."
~Ron Walker

The experience of the Annual COSEBOC Gathering:

• understand what male students of color will need to know and be able to do to be prepared for their future
• participate in a learning community of preK-12th school leaders dedicated to academic achievement of boys and young men of color
• experience promising practices from schools demonstrating success
• explore current research and policy initiatives relevant to your school
• gain inspiration and resources
• meet colleagues who share your interests anddedication
• learn from the leaders of the COSEBOC Award-winning schools
• hear from the young men who are transformed by this work

Student Empowerment

Click here to learn about the Student Empowerment Gathering

Welcome Letter

Read Ron Walker's welcome letter

Flyer

Featured Speakers

Drs. Alfred Tatum and Danny B. Martin

Dr. Danny B. Martin and Dr. Alfred W. Tatum, both of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Illinois at Chicago, addressed the Gathering's theme - Young, Gifted and Literate: Boys and Young Men of Color Prepared for the Future. They addressed critical literacies for boys and young men of color by drawing on various perspectives, crafting a solution-focused agenda. They also addressed how competency in reading and mathematics shapes one's identity. Drawing from sociohistorical and sociopolitical perspectives, they demonstrated that we expand the notion of the Common Core State Standards if we are serious about tapping into the brilliance of Black and Latino/a children in the areas of reading and mathematics. They offered recommendations for school leaders to consider.

Video Exerpts

Urban Prep West Campus Young Men on Revolution at the COSEBOC Conference

Danny Martin speech

"Black Children are Brilliant": Math Success and Minority Students

Common Core Math and African American Students

STEM Education with a Moral Component

Being Black and Doing Math: The meaning of math for African American

Math Socialization

Alfred Tatum speech

African American and Latino Children Under Assault: Illiteracy in Education

How Education Standards Limit African American Children

Strategies to Increase Reading Comprehension

Reading Across Text in the Common Core

How to Improve Reading Comprehension for Struggling Readers

Workshop on sound and mathematics

Connecting Mathematics, Geometry and Sound

 

Summary

Download Gathering Program [pdf]

Awards Ceremony [pdf]

Greetings COSEBOC friends and colleagues,

On April 25-27,2013, over 600 people representing 32 states and 130 localities came to the 7th annual Gathering of Leaders in Chicago, Illinois. This was an historic event for COSEBOC not only in terms of the record numbers but in the quality of engagement, networking, and learning that took place.

I am still deeply humbled and thankful for the enormous support extended by our hosts - the University of Illinois at Chicago, UIC's Forum, and particularly by College of Education Dean Victoria Chou and Professor Alfred Tatum. It is also with great appreciation that I salute Urban Prep Academies for their involvement. We are also extremely thankful for all of our sponsors and collaborating partners. Your contributions and support were keys to our success.

Above all, and on behalf of the entire COSEBOC staff and Board of Directors, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every person who registered and attended this year's Gathering.  My thanks also go to those who became members prior to the event.  Your commitment and belief in the COSEBOC mission is critical to the work going forward.

I encourage all who were in attendance to hold on to the powerful moments witnessed and experienced. I encourage you to commit to at least one action on behalf of our boys and young men. And I encourage those who are not yet members to become members. Remember that the work we do in the service of our students is movement work, not moment work. 

Continue to follow COSEBOC via our website, member network, Facebook and Twitter and please spread the word about an organization that is dedicated to the proposition that all boys and young men of color are filled with promise and await the opportunity to fulfill their hopes, dreams and potential. We are the ones who can help to make that happen.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Ron

Sponsors

 

COSEBOC School Award is supported by the Open Society Foundation

Media Coverage

COSEBOC School Awards

The Charleston Chronicle
May 1, 2013
Read story

Washington Sun
Read story 

Best Academy

KFAI Radio 90.3 
May 10, 2013
Listen and read story 

Stillwater Gazette
May 10, 2013
Read story

Morrison County Record
May 10, 2013
Read story

KARE 11 (CBS)
May 9, 2013
Watch video and read more

96.3 K-TWIN
May 8, 2013
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Education News
May 7, 2013
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Twin Cities Daily Planet
May 6, 2013
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North News
May 1, 2013
Mention on Page 8, PDF download (large file, slow download)

Devonshire Elementary

Charlotte Observer
May 10, 2013
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Salk Elementary School and Merrilville High School, Merrilville, Indiana

107.1
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Thurgood Marshall Academy

April 24, 2013
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Selected Photos