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Boldly Moving Education Ahead

@wearebmea

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BMEA exists to create transformative educational experiences that lead to academic, personal, and economic thriving.

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The October edition of the BMEA newsletter is now live. Inside, you'll find updates from our programs, celebrations of the educators and scholars who make this work possible, and a look at how we continue to build learning spaces where identity is honored and every scholar can thrive.⁠
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Read the full issue at wearebmea.org. by @wearebmea

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a day ago

What a night!! 🙌🏾

More than 700+ guests filled the ballroom at MGM Grand Detroit for BMEA’s 4th Annual Educators’ Gala, and the energy was unforgettable.

From the powerful performances, spoken word, meaningful conversations, and moments of reflection, the evening was a true celebration of purpose, partnership, and community.

Dr. Curtis Lewis challenged us to continue building boldly so that future generations can carry this work forward. Kaya Henderson brought candor, wisdom, and urgency to the conversation. And seeing Dr. Lewis alongside his longtime colleague and fellow builder, Sharif El-Mekki, was a powerful reminder that collaboration is not optional when the stakes are this high.

This was more than a gala.

It was a room full of people who believe in our children.
A room full of people who believe in educators.
A room full of people committed to transforming systems and building something better.

To every guest, sponsor, donor, partner, performer, speaker, volunteer, and member of the BMEA family who made this night possible: thank you.

The movement is growing. The work continues. And we are just getting started. taken in MGM Grand Detroit Casino by @wearebmea

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4 months ago

Representation matters, especially in the classroom. When students see themselves in their teachers, their lessons, and their learning spaces, it makes a real difference.

I had a great time touring the @wearebmea summer program. It’s a powerful example of what happens when we build culturally-centered spaces that lift up students and help them grow as leaders. The joy, energy, and passion from both the students and staff is what a great learning environment looks like.

Let’s keep working together to make sure every student in Michigan gets the education they deserve. Students at the BMEA summer program raise their hands during classroom lesson. by @wearebmea

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a year ago

This October, BMEA joins the national call for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a limited merchandise collection honoring survivors, those still in the fight, and the families who stand beside them. The communities our scholars and educators come from are the foundation of everything we do. ⁠
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Explore the collection at wearebmea.org/shop⁠
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#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth by @wearebmea

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3 days ago

This school year, more than 100 high school fellows join the BMEA family, each one a step toward changing a reality where Black men make up just 1.3% of teachers.⁠
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And our seniors? 100% of them are on an educator track. 🍎⁠
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These scholars are discovering who they are, finding joy in learning, and preparing to create classrooms where the next generation can thrive. The future of teaching looks like them. by @wearebmea

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4 days ago

A powerful weekend of learning, leadership, and growth!

We welcomed our YLDP Fellows for training and brought together our Teacher Fellows for another impactful session all under one roof at the BMEA office.

Investing in the next generation of educators and leaders starts with creating spaces to learn, connect, and grow. The work continues. taken in Boldly Moving Education Ahead - BMEA by @wearebmea

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5 days ago

Last night, we welcomed our alumni fellows to preview our new Educators Wellness Center, a space dedicated to every educator who has completed one of our fellowships. Together, they shared ideas and mapped out ways to bring those ideas to life.

What began as Dr. Lewis’s vision in June is now a reality: a home where educators can restore, reconnect, and continue thriving in the work they love.

Thank you to every alum who joined us last night. Educators, stay tuned for ways to get involved and make this space your own. Have an idea or want to contribute? Reach us at info@wearebmea.org taken in Boldly Moving Education Ahead - BMEA by @wearebmea

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9 days ago

What if school felt like real life, because it is?

At last week’s parent meeting, we shared how BMEA Independent School is doing school differently. Through Project Based Learning, our scholars meet ELA, math, science, and social studies inside real challenges drawn from their own communities. A budget becomes a lesson in ratios. A neighborhood issue becomes a persuasive essay. A question becomes an investigation.

When the work reflects who they are, scholars see themselves in it, and that recognition is where engagement, identity, and joyful learning take root. This is how we cultivate thinkers who are thriving now and ready to shape what comes next.

Thank you to every family who joined us. You are essential partners in this work.

#doingthework by @wearebmea

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11 days ago

Our Youth Leadership Development Program is where we invest in young men and prepare them for the journey into education, building their confidence, identity, and leadership along the way. For those who want to continue to contribute, check out the video to learn different ways you can help support our young men going into education.⁠
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Every scholar who steps into this program is a future educator in the making, and joyful learning starts with the leaders we raise up today. 🎥⁠
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Watch the video to see how you can get involved⁠
#DoingTheWork by @wearebmea

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11 days ago

Applications are now open for the Chicago Teacher Wellness Fellowship 2026–2027 cohort! ⁠
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This fellowship is built for educators ready to prioritize their own thriving while continuing to show up for their scholars. If you're a Chicago-based teacher looking for community, support, and space to grow, we want you. ⁠
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📝 Apply now — wearebmea.org/chicago! ⁠
#TeacherWellness #BMEA #EducatorSupport by @wearebmea

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15 days ago

At BMEA, investment in our scholars extends beyond the classroom, and our recent YLDP Parent Orientation is a clear example of that commitment in action. Families gathered to learn how the Youth Leadership Development Program cultivates confidence, identity, and leadership in the next generation of changemakers.⁠
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The impact was evident in the voices of our community. This is what sustained investment makes possible: scholars who not only thrive, but choose to give back to the field that shaped them. Programs like YLDP exist because funders and partners believe in building an educational ecosystem rooted in identity and joyful learning!⁠
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Shop @ WeAreBMEA.org/Shop by @wearebmea

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16 days ago

🚨 New YLDP Merch Drop 🚨

Only 1.3% of teachers in this country are Black men. BMEA’s Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP) exists to change that.

YLDP uses an intergenerational mentoring model that seeks to create a sustainable pipeline for Black males to become teachers. Our YLDP is a paid workforce development teacher exploration program that hires Black and Brown male high school students and develops them into leaders that will improve the educational experiences that lead to an economically thriving life for the communities they serve.

Go to BMEA’s website and purchase a BMEA Future Educator Hoodie or T-shirt. All proceeds go to our Legacy Scholarship, created to make sure that our young leaders who transition from our YLDP into college receive support so that they can develop into the best versions of themselves.

We know that financial aid doesn’t cover all expenses, but that shouldn’t be an obstacle that prevents them from graduating college.

Support now at
https://www.wearebmea.org/shop

Every hoodie funds a future. Every tee tells a story. Thank you for supporting our Future Educators by @wearebmea

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17 days ago