about.

“Beyond the Bricks” is a documentary project created with the goal of promoting solutions for one of America’s critical problems in education: the consistently low performance of African-American males in the public school system. Interviewed in the film are scholars, community organizers, policymakers, as well as students who, notwithstanding the barriers, struggle to get back and stay on track to success.

Please check out the Project’s website: Get informed on this critical issue and Get involved. Beyond The Bricks Project

The goal of the project is to promote ideas on solving one of America’s critical issues in education; the consistently low performance of African American boys is the public school system. The film will look at some of the most promising ideas and solutions presented by those charged to make the difference with this chronic problem. Though this is a national (and international) issue, the film will focus primarily on Newark, NJ, a city that boast some of the nations highest graduation rates among black teens and whose recently elected young Mayor has promised an unwavering commitment to addressing quality in education. In stark contrast however to the successes it claims on graduation, Newark also is one of America’s poorest and most violent cities, with an unemployment rate of 27.8% among those between the ages of 16-19 yrs, and alarming gang violence statistics. So it is of particular interest what happens in this urban enclave with so much renewed promise and also so many imposing obstacles. “Beyond the Bricks” will seek to focus on the potential of what can happen here and how it may parallel what’s possible with addressing this issue on a national level. By speaking with politicians, experts and those in the Schools and the community, we wish to present concrete ideas on how we can finally assist these children to truly prepare to compete on equal ground for their futures. The project will seek to focus on three specific areas of interest in gathering theses ideas and best practices:

• 1) Public Policy – How it directly affects the lives and educational prospects of all students; how can we adopt policies that better attend to the needs of poor, marginalized children.
• 2) Public School Systems – What are the measures that can best enhance the classroom and school so that children are actively engaged in their education?
• 3) Teens and their Community – What are the goals and responsibilities of the child, parents and the community in ensuring that child has best chance for a future?

By focusing solutions, “Beyond the Bricks” seeks to promote hope and idea that with people at every level working diligently on this issue that there can be real solutions to the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that have plagued education and African-American boys.