What if supporting Black boys could transform education for all students?

David Kirkland, founder & CEO of forwardED, believes it can—and research backs him up. In this episode, David challenges educators to put a deliberate focus on Black boys, not just to address persistent disparities in academic achievement and discipline, but because creating environments where Black boys thrive benefits every student.

Photo by Borce Coded via Pexels

“It’s not that Black males fail. It’s that we fail Black males,” David says. To change outcomes, we need to shift the narrative—from blaming students to examining how systems and practices fall short.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why Black boys remain the most vulnerable student population in U.S. schools
• How the education system contributes to disparities in achievement and discipline
• The power of reframing: shifting from “fixing students” to transforming systems
• The role of funding, culturally responsive education, and policy changes in driving real progress
• How focusing on the needs of Black boys leads to better outcomes for all students

This isn’t just about equity for one group—it’s about reimagining education so every child can thrive.

Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode:

www.forward-ed.com/

Reclaiming Possibliity: An Intentional Focus on Black Boys This School Year — article by David

Can We Talk? A Critical Examination of Cellphone Bans in Schools — article by David

Black Boys Matter — ON BOYS episode

Supporting Black Boys Mental Health (w Chandra White-Cummings) — ON BOYS episode

Boys in School Task Force — ON BOYS episode

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