Dr. EBlack lists being a father, son, brother, and educator has his greatest accomplishments. In addition, Dr. Black has turned a life full of “cannots” into “cans”.

Born and raised in Detroit, MI by a single mother, Dr. Black grew up in the turbulent ‘70s in what was called “The Murder Capital of the World” at that time. The constructive rebelliousness and Black Power Movement of the ‘60s and early ‘70s took a back seat to the crack induced ‘80s and produced a generation born or influenced in some way by the new drug. Dr. Black, as a young child, felt he should do something to help those around him who couldn’t help themselves.

Dr. Black graduated from Western Michigan University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. After several career changes and entrepreneurial efforts including advertising, theater/art gallery owner, insurance, and public relations, Dr. Black arrived in Los Angeles.

1995 was an important year as more than a million African American men met at the mall in Washington DC. Each of these men, as well as thousands around the globe watching, took an oath, in essence, to better their communities. Dr. Black decided to make a change in his community by teaching elementary and later middle school in South Central Los Angeles.

Dr. Black developed two programs specifically for African American males that successfully merged mentorship with academia. These programs instilled a sense of pride for its participants and Dr. Black.

In 2004, Dr. Black graduated from the University of Southern California as a Doctor of Education.


 

• Developing a positive self-image in school age children
• Culture clash between the African American student at school and at home
• Educating parents to work with teachers
• Higher achievement for African American male students
• Fighting stereotypes and raising teacher expectations
   

• Developing a commitment to help African American students succeed
• Effectively work on Closing the Achievement Gap
• Prepare teachers to educate students in urban areas
• The school should become part of the community and the community part of the school
   

A highly intelligent student began his third grade school year with much anticipation. He had always been a smart young man. He learned to read at an early age and was exceptional at math, learning to multiply digit numbers in Pre-K. He was truly a student who wanted to learn.

However, during the first month of school, his teacher constantly called his parents. “His mind wanders. He isn’t quite grasping the subject matter. I’m not sure that this is the class for him.”

The original thought was to prove this teacher, who had not interacted with many African American students, wrong. However, the parents realized that the student would begin to lose interest in school. He was actually “unlearning” things he had already known. The choice was made to put him in another school with a teacher who could relate to him. He returned to the top of his class and became an inspiration for the other students.

Ernest Black
P.O. Box 71855
Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.eblack.org