Thedewsperspective

Imagine this.  You’re in the 5^th grade.  You’ve yet to master the four operations of Mathematics.  You’ve never been introduced to the order of operations.  You don’t know how to incorporate parenthesis into your written text.  Let alone have you ever seen it in a mathematical equation.  You confuse the word exponents with the gaming console that starts with an X.  Solving for an unknown variable is just as foreign to you as reading hieroglyphics.  Then someone has the audacity to give you an algebraic equation and ask you to solve for the unknown variable.  This is your first time seeing such a math problem.  And the instructor tells you, “I can’t model how to solve the problem for you.”   Or better yet, what if the example that he gave was completely incorrect.  What would you do?

Early on in my young adult life, I concluded, for most of us our examples as men are non-existent.  Since I’m a Math teacher by trade, I’d compare my conclusion to a child being asked to solve an algebraic equation without proper support. The child lacks a correct example, adequate preparation, and proper guidance.  What could you possibly anticipate the outcome to be?

I remember a day, in my mid-twenties, hanging out in the neighborhood that birthed me.  On these steps in East Baltimore, I was sitting with a childhood friend and an older gentleman.  There was a young man pushing a bicycle up the street.  He looked as if he was tired and winded.  My childhood friend left the steps to assist the young man.  Honorable, I thought.  Then the older gentleman uttered words that made me ask him “why would you say that”?  He’d said, “he’s going to be a great father when he has children.”  I was curious to know how he’d come to that conclusion based on that one generous act.  He continued, “because he knows what it feels like to not have a dad.”

He didn’t realize how profound a statement he had made.  His words not only echoed in my ears, but they also resonated in my soul.  It was as if a divine light opened my eyes to a perspective that I had never considered.  But it should have been obvious.  Some believed that those whose fathers abandoned them were expected to become great fathers. They were expected to excel because they knew what it was like to not have a dad.  Gotdamn!  That’s an oxymoron if I ever heard one.

Boys are “becoming” men by doing the opposite of what they’ve seen.  What’s the likelihood of that happening successfully?  Research strongly suggests that a person is far more likely to become what he sees versus what he doesn’t see.  So, let’s consider what our boys are seeing.  The percentage of married black households led by men in Baltimore City is anywhere in the range between 15-25%.  The percentage of black male educators in the Baltimore City Public Schools System is even less than that (11%).  The question must then be raised, who is defining and exemplifying manhood for our boys in Baltimore?

Representation is of extreme importance.  That’s why it’s imperative to have black male teachers and mentors in urban school settings.  The relationship between what you see and what you become has been studied in psychology, sociology and education.  The impact is immeasurable.  When children see people who look like them from shared backgrounds succeeding in life, it greatly boosts their confidence. This boosts their belief in what’s possible.  Statistics indicate that black boys who have the experience of a black male educator is 39% less likely to drop out of high school.  Albert Bandura, the father of the social learning theory, research shows that humans learn behaviors from observation and imitation.  What are our boys learning based on their observations and imitations?

Growing up without a father creates some potentially unbreakable barriers.  For one it creates a cyclical factor.  Boys raised without fathers are twice the risk of being absent fathers themselves.  Research indicates that children from fatherless homes are 4 times more likely to live in poverty. They are 2 times more likely to experience behavioral problems. They are also 2 times more likely to drop out of high school. 

Boys in Baltimore City without fathers face significant high odds of encountering the criminal justice system. This is due to a combination of systemic inequities, environmental stressors, and a lack of protective factors. Boys from fatherless homes are almost 20 times more likely to be incarcerated than boys from a two-parent household.  It’s been reported that about 70% of juveniles in state operated facilities are products of fatherless homes.  Over 60% of black children in Baltimore live in a single parent household, mostly led by women.  Baltimore juvenile arrest rates are among the highest in the state.  Only 10% of black boys in Baltimore City Public School Systems is reading on grade level by 8^th grade.  High School dropout rate among black males is 30%.  And they are sixty-three times more likely to be incarcerated compared to college graduates.

Who’s defining manhood for our black boys?  Some people believe that music is shaping success for young men. Social media also influences masculinity. Pop culture influencers are setting standards for respect.  Can you imagine the rapper NBA YoungBoy being the greatest male influence on your son?  In the absence of you?  Well it’s happening.  We know that without strong male role models, our young boys seek guidance from rappers. They also look to athletes, the streets, and influencers.  And that’s why so many of our boys are being misguided.  They’re being misguided by the misguided.

The same travesties impacting our young boys are also negatively impacting the lives of our young girls.  The absent father.  The first man that a daughter should fall in love with.  The man who should teach her how to properly be loved.  For decades, we focused intensely on boys deemed “at-risk.” They lacked positive male role models.  That we forgot our daughters.  Then we started seeing our daughters acting out. They were calling out in ways once reserved for our sons. 

As a father of two daughters, I understand the importance of being present.  Although my father suffered from substance abuse issues my entire life, I am forever grateful for his presence.  As a teacher/mentor I dedicate my life to the children that I’ve been entrusted with because I understand the significant role I play. 

Most of us didn’t have an example or good example of what to become.  Many of us professed early on that we’d do the opposite of what was done to us.  But if you were given an algebraic equation to solve at 10 years old, with no example.  No knowledge of how to start or where to start from.  And your life depends on your response.  What would you do?  Try?  Get mad?  Get frustrated?  Feel defeated?  Quit?  Act out?  Shut down?  Abandon ship?  Cry?  What’s the likelihood of you getting it correct?    

So let us become the examples that we need our sons to become. As men, let us become the necessary role models we must be to improve the condition of our community. Join me in supporting my business Never Forget WHY Mentorship Program Inc.

The Never Forget W.H.Y. Male Mentoring Program empowers young at risk boys in Baltimore City, ages 10–17, to rise above social, academic, and behavioral challenges. Through a year-long, comprehensive mentoring experience, the program addresses critical issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline, financial literacy, conflict resolution, and leadership development.

Our mission is to equip these young men with the tools and character needed to positively impact their families, schools, and communities. By connecting participants with relatable Black male mentors, we aim to increase school attendance, boost academic performance, and reduce suspensions, fostering a school culture of excellence. Weekly in-person and virtual sessions, along with monthly educational and recreational excursions, create an engaging and transformative environment. Participants leave the program prepared to become conscious, responsible men who understand their value and role in society — because they will Never Forget W.H.Y

Cornell Dews: Founder & Executive Director
Never Forget WHY Mentorship Program Inc.

Transforming the Lives of At-Risk Young Men Through Mentorship and Education

With over two decades of experience as an educator, mentor, and leader, I bring a wealth of knowledge, proven strategies, and a lifelong passion for empowering young men to reach their highest potential. As the Founder and Executive Director of Never Forget WHY Mentorship Program Inc., my mission is to partner with schools to provide transformational mentorship that addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of their most at-risk male students.

Why I Am the Perfect Leader to Drive Impact

 **Proven Educational Leadership:** With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Maryland State Department of Education certifications in Special Education and Business Education, I have successfully taught, coached, and led diverse teams in urban schools for over 20 years.

 **Deep Experience with At-Risk Youth:** My career includes work in juvenile detention centers, alternative schools, and traditional public schools. These roles have equipped me with strategies to address behavioral challenges, increase engagement, and improve outcomes for young men facing adversity.

 **Family & Community Engagement Expertise:** Certified through Harvard EdX in Family and Community Engagement, I have built strong school-community partnerships, coordinated family programming, and developed initiatives to connect families to the resources they need.

 **Restorative Justice Champion:** As Dean of Climate & Culture, I implemented restorative practices to create safe, supportive school environments where discipline became a tool for growth and not punishment.

 **Results-Driven Mentor:** From raising academic performance to reducing suspensions, my programs have consistently produced measurable results that positively impact students, schools, and communities.

Why Schools Benefit From Partnering With Me

 **Tailored Support for At-Risk Male Students:** I design mentorship experiences that directly address barriers to success—academics, attendance, behavior, and self-esteem.

 **Data-Driven Approach:** My background in special education and instructional leadership allows me to track progress and demonstrate measurable growth in student performance.

 **Building Positive School Culture:** Through restorative practices and community engagement, I help schools foster a culture of respect, accountability, and achievement.

 **Proven Relationship Builder:** My decades of experience connecting with students and families build trust and inspire young men to believe in their own potential.

By partnering with Never Forget WHY Mentorship Program Inc., schools gain more than a mentor—they gain a proven leader committed to breaking cycles of failure and inspiring the next generation of leaders.