Meet the Team

DeSean

Smedley

College Cohort Program Director

DeSean Ahmad Smedley, a native of The Bay Area, California, comes from a long family lineage of activists, community organizers, and youth developmental work within the schools. DeSean has formal training in African American and African Studies from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in which he earned his B.A. His work and research is rooted in identifying problems and solutions for low-income and marginalized communities, targeting education as a vessel to serve and empower youth and families.

His teaching career began in 2015, where he taught an African American Studies class at South High School and a Black Identity Class at Harrison Education Center under the umbrella of the Office of Black Male Achievement in Minneapolis Public Schools. This course explored identity within the U.S. as well as critically examined the intersectional levels of oppression that plague the African American community.

DeSean also served as a district staff lead English Facilitator for the Parent Engagement Academy in the Minneapolis Public Schools’ Connecting Parents to Educational Opportunities (CPEO) program. He has worked toward the advancement of Black communities facing the opportunity gap through both the education system and the nonprofit sector.

He was the Initiative Director for a program entitled Think Different Do Different, an Educational Affiliate Network at the Network for the Development of Children of African Descent (NdCAD). Through this initiative, he was able to lead a team in creating systems change for educators, directly work with students and families through community connections, and develop and implement structural frameworks.

In recent years, he served as a Program Specialist for MPS Community Education’s Full-Service Community Schools, collaborating with administrators, teachers, social workers, students, and families to connect them with resources to increase academic outcomes inside as well as outside of the classrooms.

Currently, he is the BMT College Cohort Program Director, a role he feels aligns with his continued purpose in education. His passion for the liberation of Black people directly correlates to increasing the presence of Black men in elementary school classrooms across Minnesota. He leads with “Ubuntu: I am, because we are” at the cornerstone of his practices.

6 QUESTIONS

WITH

DeSean

1 How would you describe what you do?

I collaborate with the Impact Director to develop the infrastructure of the BMT College Cohort program. I identify, train and support Leadership Coaches to mentor the College Fellows. In addition, I co-create and outline the curriculum for the monthly professional developments for the Fellows while incorporating lectures, media, guest speakers and activities. I collect data and track the progress of the Fellows academically and within internship opportunities. Lastly, I incorporate Black identity and self development within the execution of the program.

2 What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

The need to see more Black Men in the elementary schools in Minnesota. The importance of seeing Black Men as teachers and mentors, while transferring knowledge to the youth. The next generation will run the country. Knowing that we are responsible for identifying, recruiting, preparing and retaining Black Men teachers is what inspired me to join the BMT Staff.

3 If you could describe in one word why you work at BMT, what would it be?

Purpose

4 What is a piece of advice you would give to Black Men who are considering becoming teachers?

The best way to make a positive difference in the community/world is to become a teacher. The impact you will make on the youth will last a lifetime and will influence the trajectory of their lives.

5 What is the name of the teacher or teachers who had the most impact on you? Why?

I am from the Bay Area, California, with a love and passion for Black Liberation. I care deeply for our youth and preparing the next generation of Black Educators.

6 What else do you want the community to know about who you are, your passion for the work, and the skills you bring to the work?

I am from the Bay Area, California, with a love and passion for Black Liberation. I care deeply for our youth and preparing the next generation of Black Educators.

1

How would you describe what you do?

1

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

2 Purpose

3

If you could describe in one word why you work at BMT, what would it be?

3

The best way to make a positive difference in the community/world is to become a teacher. The impact you will make on the youth will last a lifetime and will influence the trajectory of their lives.

4

What is a piece of advice you would give to Black Men who are considering becoming teachers?

4

Dr. Rose Brewer and Dr. Keith Mayes - They both expected excellence from me while supporting my journey in self-growth and development.

5

What is the name of the teacher or teachers who had the most impact on you? Why?

5

I am from the Bay Area, California, with a love and passion for Black Liberation. I care deeply for our youth and preparing the next generation of Black Educators.