DETROIT – Thousands of students across Metro Detroit woke up early to return to school for the first day.
But it was a pretty special back-to-school welcome for some students at one campus on Detroit’s west side.
When they arrived, cheers, high-fives, and motivation were from a large group of men from the community.
The first day back to school means moments of motivation and celebration for some students and community members.
Dozens of men and their supporters gathered to greet students returning to Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy on Monday (Aug. 26) morning.
The city’s task force organized this special back-to-school welcome on Black Male Engagement.
“We do it because we want to see these young people feel this sense of camaraderie and that we have a community that’s supporting them,” said Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate.
A cross-section of men from the community, including pastors, politicians, police, firefighters, military vets, fathers, community organizers, and their supporters, showed up to give the kids hi-fives and cheer them on as they entered school.
Even Local 4′s Demond Fernandez and Crime and Safety Expert Darnell Blackburn joined the group to welcome the students.
“We like being leaders,” said Jawan Williams of Detroit 300. “We like showing the kids that they can do well, and it’s a lot of things that you can do out here to change your community. And it all starts within the community.”
Participants say their presence and this show of unity are significant.
“Coming in here with this type of engagement, they had an opportunity to directly see the potential for what they want to be,” said participant Roland Foster.
The Task Force for Black Male Engagement began welcoming students back to school 10 years ago.
And they continue supporting students and staff at campuses across the city throughout the school year.