Lexington’s ‘Black Males Working’ program has been detailed before a legislative committee in Frankfort. The faith based program offered in Fayette County schools was discussed during Tuesday’s House Education Committee meeting on charter schools. BMW's mission statement says they aim to educate, motivate, and activate the potential for excellence. Founder Rosz Akins says out of BMW Academy’s 300 young men, 15 are members of the founding Baptist church. “We have Muslims, we have all kinds of denominations; other faiths, no faiths at all," Akins said. "But, we don’t look at that. We’re looking at that child and trying to create for him to be a good citizen and to bring out the best in them.”
The ‘Black Males Working’ Academy focuses on issues like being well dressed, well mannered, and well read. Fayette Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk says the plan is to expand the program through the addition of a new high school. “And looking at the disparity in achievement of our black males, being able to implement this program with the support of the district and the district resources," Caulk remarked. "So we’re equal partners in this endeavor,” ?
Committee Chair Derrick Graham believes the state’s education reform program, now more than two decades old, allows for innovation. “I think it shows that the intent of what charter schools are supposed to do, that is actually in reality of what we’re doing here in Kentucky under the existing system of our local control of our local districts and the local district making decision making which is best for their community,” said Graham.
Committee members also heard from officials within the Jefferson County school system.
