On an early Saturday morning, the young men of V.I.B.E accompanied the ladies of the C.A.L.M Society to a symposium on Afro-American male students in suburban school districts. With the C.A.L.M Society founder Andrea Trainer joining a host of educators, authors and VIBE students in a panel discussion, there was an informative and enlightening discussion to a crowded room of teachers, reading & special education specialists as well as principals and school administrators and superintendents.
Mrs. Trainer anchored a revealing discussion on how the problems experienced by Afro-American students are the same whether they’re in an inner city or suburban setting, and that if there was going to be any real change in these experiences, the change needed to start at the top with administrators setting standards for their subordinates to follow and adhere to. She continued to give facts, figures, personal experiences and anecdotes to emphasize her points and start to bridge the achievement gap by reaching the folks in the room who could start to do something about it.
Not to be out done by one of their strongest supporters in Mrs. Trainer, the young men of VIBE proceeded to lend their views and opinions to the symposium. With young men ranging in age from 14 - 16 and grades 9th -11th, the gentlemen proceeded to enlighten, inform and educate those in the room with eye-opening and heart felt opinions, views and experiences that garnished applause and vows of rededication to the cause from all those in attendance. The young men of VIBE were so impressive, that they received an invitation to attend the host’s next seminar as honored guests free of charge.
As usual, the Calm Society and VIBE were an astounding success and continued their reputation of being the centers of attention as impressive and informative individuals with a collective effort of success and achievement. There’s no telling where these ladies or young men will end up next, but you can rest assured it will be with much elegance and articulation for which they are known.
