Jermaine D Gassaway

Unopened Books Jermaine D Gassaway

The unfathomable rate of Black males in education should result in a national call to action. Across the country Black males represent only 2% of the teaching workforce. By the year 2024, minority students will be the majority, yet our current education workforce does not reflect this growing trend in what has been called "The Browning of America." Why is it acceptable that a student can matriculate from Kindergarten through twelfth grade and not have one Black male as his or her teacher? Why has it been a challenge to recruit and in many instances retain Black males in the classroom? Unopened Books explains what is referenced in the book as the Five Black Male Deterrents in Education. Through the personal narrative of Jermaine D. Gassaway, a native Washingtonian, educator, and school leader; coupled with practical solutions, Unopened Books provides insight to multiply the 2%. It is intended to not only be a provocative conversation starter but an actionable approach to increase the number of Black men in the classroom.