By Heart & Soul Staff
There is a profound, immutable truth that echoes through the halls of history: when Black students see themselves reflected in the eyes, experiences, and worldviews of educators who look like them, everything changes. Academic performance rises. Graduation rates climb. And the staggering statistic remains a beacon of hope—when a Black student has just two Black teachers before third grade, they are 32% more likely to go to college.
Yet, for generations, systemic inequities, institutional barriers, and a severe national shortage have forced far too many children to journey through 13 years of public schooling without ever encountering a single Black educator.
Enter the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED).
Founded on the radical, deeply rooted conviction that educational equity and racial justice are inextricably linked, CBED is not just filling a gap—it is lovingly, deliberately, and powerfully rebuilding the national Black teaching pipeline. Written in the spirit of legacy, community, and soul, this is the story of how an organization is transforming the future of education by honoring the brilliance of the past.
Roots in Resistance and Excellence: A History of Purpose
The Center for Black Educator Development was established to answer a persistent, glaring crisis in America’s classrooms: the shrinking representation of Black educators. Led by founder and CEO Sharif El-Mekki, CBED grew out of a recognition that diversifying the teacher workforce isn’t just beneficial for Black children—it is an absolute necessity for all students. A diverse teacher corps counteracts bias, fosters cross-cultural empathy, and prepares young minds for a multi-dimensional world.
Rooted in Black pedagogy—the historic frameworks, philosophies, and strategies that cultivate positive racial identities and deep academic rigor—CBED stepped into the breach. They understood that you cannot dismantle a broken system with the tools that created it. Instead, they reached back into history, drawing inspiration from freedom schools, civil rights educational crusades, and community-led instruction, to forge a modern movement.
Programs That Nurture Mind, Spirit, and Community
To rebuild a pipeline, you have to cultivate it at every single stage—from high school hallways to university quads and professional classrooms. CBED achieves this through a robust ecosystem of transformative programs:
- The Teaching Academy: Designed in partnership with school and district leaders, this Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathway introduces high school students to the education profession early. Grounded in Black pedagogy, it invites youth to see themselves not just as students, but as the future architects of our classrooms.
- Future Teachers of Excellence Fellowship: For college students answering the call, this fellowship provides a lifeline of support. It offers critical scholarships, academic support, professional coaching, and retention bonuses to ensure future educators don’t just enter the field—they thrive and stay.
- Freedom Schools Literacy Academy: An immersive, culturally affirming summer program where young scholars (Junior Servant Leaders) and college-aged mentors (Servant Leader Apprentices) dive deep into literacy, history, and community organizing. It is a space where children learn that they are Black, brilliant, and beautifully capable.
- Professional Learning & Affinity Groups: CBED doesn’t stop at recruitment; they invest heavily in retention and growth. Through targeted professional development, e-learning courses, and powerful affinity spaces—including the renowned Black Male Educators Convening (BMEC)—educators receive the community care and intellectual sharpening necessary to sustain long, impactful careers.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events and Ways to Connect
The movement for educational liberation is active, vibrant, and moving forward every day. If you want to plug into the energy of change, CBED has incredible opportunities on the horizon:
- Virtual Participation in BMEC: While in-person registration for the landmark Black Men in Education Convening (BMEC) fills up fast, changemakers, educators, and allies nationwide can still join the experience virtually to tap into powerful insights, workshops, and national networks.
- Community Advocacy & Campaigns: Through initiatives like #WeNeedBlackTeachers, supporters can amplify awareness, celebrate educators through tribute programs, and contribute to the ongoing expansion of the teacher pipeline.
The Heart of the Matter
At its core, the Center for Black Educator Development is reminding America of a sacred promise: that our children are worthy of greatness, and that teachers are the civic gardeners who make that greatness bloom. By restoring Black pedagogy to its rightful place of prominence and building joyful, sustainable pathways into the classroom, CBED is ensuring that future generations will never have to wonder if their genius is seen, loved, and believed in.
To learn more about their mission, explore resources, or find out how you can support the movement, visit the Center for Black Educator Development.
Events
#BMEC2026: REGISTER NOW
NOVEMBER 13-15, 2026
PHILADELPHIA MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN | PHILADELPHIA, PA
The 9th Annual Black Men in Education Convening (#BMEC2026) is heading back to Philadelphia.
Building on our success hosting the country’s largest and most impactful gathering of Black male educators over the last eight years, we’re proud to announce that early bird registration is now open.
#BMEC2026 will be a transformative event, featuring dynamic speakers, interactive workshops, opportunities for professional growth and–as always–the ability to build friendships and community while fostering mentorship and strengthening networks.
We can’t wait to see you there–where, together, we will continue our work advancing educational equity and strengthening the Black Teacher Pipeline.
REGISTER NOW
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