North Carolina Central University is continuing to expand its relationship with K-12 educators by hosting the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) sixth annual Gathering of Leaders. The theme of this year’s event is “Great Schools Are Not an Accident: Successful Learning Communities for Boys and Young Men of Color,” and will take place April 26 – 28. The event is a partnership between Durham Public Schools, NCCU and the Durham Association of Educators.

In a press conference held at the J.D. Clement Early College High School on the NCCU campus, Durham Public Schools Superintendent Eric Becoats, NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms, Kristy Moore of the Durham Association of Educators and Dr. Ron Walker, executive director of COSEBOC, each offered their support for the gathering. “We want to create a new narrative,” said Walker. “People need to know our boys are filled with promise, not problems.” Walker also praised NCCU, DPS and the educators association for the support his organization has received in preparing for the gathering. Calling it the best partnership so far, Walker said Durham was selected as the site because of a proposal written by Ramona Cox, director of university school partnerships at NCCU and others.

“This is an opportunity to build support around boys and their families and a chance to have constructive dialogue,” said Chancellor Nelms. “We must hold ourselves accountable for the success of all children.” NCCU has a longstanding partnership with DPS. Superintendent Becoats served on the selection committee to identify NCCU’s new School of Education dean, Dr. Wynetta Lee, and education majors often complete their student teaching in Durham-area schools. “Our goal is to collaborate more effectively and strategically with Durham Public Schools. We look forward to the years ahead,” said Nelms.

The two-day gathering will also include a Town Hall meeting on April 25 at the Hayti Heritage Center and five $10,000 awards to selected schools. Scheduled guest speakers include Pedro Noguera, professor, New York University; Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, president, University of Maryland – Baltimore County, and ESPN host and sports writer Chris Broussard. Additional information on the event can be found at http://coseboc.org/. COSEBOC is the only national organization targeting educational success for boys of color. The mission of COSEBOC is to ensure that every boy and young man of color has a full opportunity for in-school success and out of school positive contributions.