Instagram story viewer> @selmekki> Tagged

Sharif El-Mekki

@selmekki

8.3K

followers

8886

following

I’m not an apple that fell, I stand on my trees’ highest branches. The fight’s easier from here. #BlackTeacherPipeline

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

13

5

UPDATE: The hotel block is extended through Friday, October 23!

Still need a hotel for #BMEC2026? Don't wait!

Our room block at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is sold out, but we've secured a limited number of additional rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City. It's just a 2–4 minute walk from the convening.

A limited number of rooms are available through tomorrow, October 19th. Get the details via our Linktree.

See you in Philly!

#BlackMenInEd #WeNeedBlackTeachers Poster for the 2026 Black Men in Education Convening, highlighting "Last Day to Book Your Hotel." Event dates are November 13-15, 2026, at Hilton Garden Inn, Philadelphia, PA. The Center for Black Educator Development and BMEC logos are displayed.

12

1

“Our people decided long ago what our children were owed. Our job is to keep deciding, and to keep building.”

Read @selmekki’s latest on the blog 💪🏽

71

1

272

7

Who was the first person who told you, "You'd be a great teacher"?

For a lot of educators, it happened in elementary school. For many Black men, it took until adulthood, and only after another career didn't work out.

Our Founder & CEO @selmekki and @educatorsrising CEO Jeanie Lee wrote for @the_74 about why that sentence matters so much, and why Black boys hear it least.

Read the new opinion piece via our Linktree. A person stands in front of a whiteboard with writings "AZ/US History" and "Advisor." They are wearing glasses, a light blue shirt, and a bow tie. The bottom text on the image reads: "The 74. Male Teachers Say Mentors Got Them There. For Black Men, the Need’s Even Greater. October 15, 2026.

187

11

156

5

Meet the Teaching Freedom panel.

On Nov. 5, Teaching Freedom brings together educators and leaders whose work spans higher education, K-12 education, literacy, educator development and community leadership.

Dr. Wayne W. Williams, Moderator
Professor of Accounting at Temple University’s Fox School of Business and an educator with more than three decades of experience. His work also extends into civic leadership, student mentorship and expanding opportunities for underrepresented students in business and higher education.

Dr. David E. Thomas, Panelist
An education and organizational leader whose work has crossed K-12, higher education and community engagement in Philadelphia. He is the founder of IHI Consultants and currently serves as the 2026-2027 Leader-in-Residence with YouthBuild Philadelphia.

Sharif El-Mekki, Panelist
Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, an organization focused on strengthening and expanding the Black educator pipeline.

Kristin Green-Hayes, Panelist
A Philadelphia-born educator, literacy advocate and Reading Interventionist with more than 15 years of experience. His work centers culturally responsive education, literacy and creating stronger outcomes for Black and Brown students and families.

Together, they’ll join the conversation around Teaching Freedom during our Community Symposium.

📚 Community Symposium: Nov. 5 at 6 PM
📍 Philadelphia City Archives: 548 Spring Garden St.

Teaching Freedom: The Education of Black Philadelphia, 1840-1976 will also be on view Nov. 1 through Jan. 15.

RSVP through the link in our bio.

#TeachingFreedom #ArchivesInAction #BlackEducation #PhiladelphiaHistory

140

3

At “THIS TIME” MADE MEN ARE NOW RECRUITING!

HELP US REACH THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK MALE EDUCATORS!

Before you scroll, I need YOUR help!

COMMENT “MADE” if you believe we need more Black male educators in our classrooms!

TAG a young man who has what it takes to become an incredible teacher, mentor, or leader!

SHARE & REPOST this post! You never know whose future you might change.

LIKE this post to show your support for the next generation of educators!

NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY!

What if I told you that you could earn your degree, build a lifelong brotherhood, access scholarship opportunities, and prepare for a career that changes lives?

At the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, we’re doing more than preparing teachers. WE’RE BUILDING BROTHERS, DEVELOPING LEADERS, AND CHANGING THE NARRATIVE!

Introducing MADE Men (Men Achieving Their Dreams as Educators), a brotherhood built on PURPOSE, EXCELLENCE, and IMPACT!

As a MADE Man, you’ll have access to:

* Scholarship opportunities
* A lifelong brotherhood and mentorship
* Cohort-based living and community experiences
* Cultural experiences, conferences, and leadership opportunities
* Academic advising and teacher certification support
* Career development and job placement guidance

We’re looking for young men who are hungry for success, passionate about making a difference, ready to lead, and committed to becoming the educators our communities need.

READY TO BECOME A MADE MAN?

Visit www.mocedumes.edu to learn more!

Email: rhwarren@umes.edu

DM: @m.a.d.e_umes

#MADEMen #TeachForTheCulture #BecomeAMADEMan #BeTheChange #BlackMaleEducators

248

18

I’m so grateful I got to attend the 2026 Green Tie Gala for the @theblackbraincampaign as they celebrated 10 years of service to the Philadelphia community! It’s always amazing to be in a space with people dedicated to mental health advocacy, and I’m glad to have seen some familiar faces and meet some new friends.

Congratulations to co-founders Jaynay Johnson and Farida Boyer and to all the award recipients of the night!

17

1

Some people leave an impression, while others leave a legacy!

I want to take a moment to congratulate my former principal, mentor, and big brother, Mr. Sharif El-Mekki, on this well-deserved honor of having a street named in his recognition!

When I think about the impact you’ve had on my life, I can’t help but think about the countless young people who came before me and the generations who will come after me who have been and will continue to be influenced by your leadership, wisdom, and commitment to education.

Although you may no longer physically walk the halls of the school building, your presence, lessons, and impact are still felt every single day. And what started in the classrooms and hallways of Philadelphia has grown into a movement that reaches across this country and around the world.

Your legacy is bigger than education. It’s about empowering young people to recognize their worth, find their voices, and understand that their circumstances do not have to determine their future.

I’m living proof of what mentorship, leadership, and someone believing in you can do. And I know I’m just one of many who can say that.

Thank you, big bro, for being the example, the leader, and the inspiration this world needs! Thank you for never forgetting where you came from and for continuing to create opportunities for those coming behind you.

This honor is more than deserved, and I’m proud to have been one of the young men fortunate enough to learn from you.

Flowers while you’re here to receive them! 💐✊🏾 Congratulations, big bro!

#SharifElMekki #BlackExcellence #MentorshipMatters #Philadelphia #BlackEducators Legacy RepresentationMatters

191

19

By midnight tomorrow (Friday) night, ticket sales will close for the 2026 Black Men in Education Convening.

#BMEC2026 is a community that is hard to explain unless you’ve attended before. You are in a space of understanding and support. It’s not only a chance to learn, but also to restore and reconnect with your purpose as an educator.

We hope to see you there.

thecenterblacked.org/bmec

11

0

Wondering what you might get to experience at the Black Men in Education Convening? Here's a sample schedule of sessions you might see during the second day of the gathering. (And that doesn't even include the evening activities!)

Be sure to register to attend before sales close tomorrow, October 9, at midnight ET.

thecenterblacked.org/bmec

#BMEC2026 Schedule for the 2026 Black Men in Education Convening, held November 13-15, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA. Activities include breakfast and musical entertainment, opening remarks, a fundraising moment, a panel on education empowerment, breakout sessions, and afternoon sessions on supporting Black educators and students.
```

54

2