(1888PressRelease)
June 21, 2009 - Berkeley, CA - The M3 Math & Sports Academy continued its string of successes by achieving an average GPA of 3.0 across all the schools in which it operates. While this is a strong testament of the young program and its staff, the leadership of M3 was still somewhat disappointed. "We targeted an average GPA of 3.2, and while 3.0 is much better than most manage to achieve, we believe that we can do significantly better," said the Executive Director of the M3 Foundation, KG Charles-Harris.
The fundamental philosophy of the M3 Foundation is that the issues creating barriers to learning for African American boys are largely environmentally based. As a consequence, M3 has focused on creating an environment where learning is enhanced by changing some of the environmental factors that limit the desire and ability to learn. This is achieved through collaboration with school authorities and parents, while partnering with community organizations.
"The major problem facing the black community today is the socialization of boys and young men for delinquency and prison. We can do something about this, since it is a phenomenon based on environment rather than innate qualities", said Mr. Charles-Harris. "M3 has identified some of the factors that affect the trend and we are working to change the trajectory common to black boys and men. Our results speak for them selves", he continued. Though an average grade point average of 3.0 was a disappointment for the organization, it is still a worthy accomplishment when considering the what is common in public schools.
For additional information, please contact KG Charles-Harris or visit www.m3boys.org.
About M3 Math & Sports Academy:
M3 Math & Sports Academy alters the trajectory that is common for black males by causing them to perform at a high to excellent level to become future college students and leaders. M3 works with black boys, often from low and middle-income families, to produce tomorrow's leaders. We recognize that it's difficult for black boys to motivate themselves to achieve academically when there are few role models in their communities who have achieved success through higher education.
In the United States, more than 50 percent of African American males drop out of school, in some areas like the San Francisco Bay Area this figure is as high as 73 percent. Of the males that drop out of school, 64 percent end up in the penal system.
At M3 our focus is to create habits of success. We emphasize strenuous physical exercise in sports practice with rigorous academics (with a focus on mathematics) and ensure that prominent black men from the community meet and speak with the boys on a regular basis. In addition, we incorporate entertainment arts and analysis of contemporary music and films to create an environment of social awareness and critique. Extensive excursions are used to introduce students to environments that expand their horizons. M3 Math & Sports Academy has been in existence in the East Bay since 2006.
Contact:
KG Charles-Harris, Executive Director
M3 Math & Sports Academy
832 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-849-9300
http://www.m3boys.org
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