Sharif El-Mekki, founder of the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED), which runs the program, said the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy was founded after African American students in Philadelphia demanded more Black teachers in classrooms. El-Mekki has been an educator in Philadelphia for more than two decades. In 2008, he was appointed principal of Mastery Charter Shoemaker School, where he served until the launch of CBED in 2019. Under the Obama Administration, El-Mekki served as U.S. Department of Education Principal Ambassador.
In Pennsylvania, Black students make up 14.5% of the total population in public schools, while while only 3.8% of teachers are Black. El-Mekki said that number needs to improve.
The shortage of qualified teachers is more acute in subjects such as special education, science and math.
“Our mission is to rebuild a national Black teacher pipeline right here in my beloved Philadelphia,” El-Mekki said. “It’s something that we’ve been talking about for many years.”
According to CBED, since its inception in 2018, 10,590 students have gone through its various programs.
Lazara said the organization and its offerings has helped diversify the workforce in Philadelphia.
“When we have people from all walks of life joining together with us in this mission to not only be effective teachers in Philadelphia, but to get the on-the-job training and hone the skills that translate into good student outcomes,” he said.
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