100% 2014 Group

April 8, 2014

 

  

 

When it comes to the attention paid to young Black men, many focus on those who have not made it. And in doing so, they neglect those who stand in plain view ready to be celebrated, ready to get the attention they deserve.  

 

We turn on the news and read the papers, and often the sounds of negativity, of lack, of despair overwhelm us: "Black men are absent", "Black men are dead", "Black men are killers", "Black men are stupid", "Black men are unemployed", "Black men are in jail", "Black men are nothing." 

 

But what about the 240 young Black men in Urban Prep's senior class who are present at the call of the roll, ready for their actions and achievements to speak for themselves? What about the 240 young Black men in Urban Prep's senior class who proudly stand in striped red and gold ties? Don't we have anything to say about them? Don't they deserve our attention?

 

Yes, they deserve our attention.

 

They deserve our attention because they are the young Black men whose hard work and effort; whose dedication, commitment, and focus; who, by being their brothers' keepers, empower me to announce that for the FIFTH consecutive year, 100% of Urban Prep's seniors have been admitted to four-year colleges and universities.

They deserve our attention because these young Black men have received acceptance letters from over 185 colleges and universities and earned over $11,000,000 in scholarships and grants.  They deserve our attention because these young Black men, when they set foot on college campuses this fall, will represent the fact that one in ten African-American males from Chicago Public Schools enrolling in college as a freshman this year is an Urban Prep alumnus.  

 

Today, when we called the names of those who are 100% college bound, the young men of Urban Prep responded with a resounding "WE ARE HERE!"

 

This is what happens when We Believe...100%!    

Tk Signature red 

 

P.S. Please check out our website www.urbanprep.org over the coming days for a summary of the announcement assembly as well as pictures, video, and links to media coverage .   

 

 

Tim King

Founder & CEO

Urban Prep Academies

420 N Wabash, Suite 300

Chicago, IL 60611

T:  312-276-0259, Ext. 1111

F:  312-755-1050

[email protected] 

www.urbanprep.org