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OUR MISSION:

Recruit, Prepare, Place and Retain Black male teachers in elementary schools.

OUR VISION:

Is that all students have the opportunity to attend schools staffed with racially and culturally diverse teachers and leaders, reflecting the students' race, ethnicity, and cultures, thereby creating an environment that affirms students for who they are. Black Men Teach creates the environment and conditions where Black male teachers can thrive, because our children’s schooling experience will never be complete without them.

BMT STORIES

Get to know our inspiring staff

Sean Sweat exemplifies the heart of the Black Men Teach mission through their commitment to empowering educators, students, and uplifting the community. Their work reflects the values of integrity, representation, and purpose that define who we are and what we stand for.

Read My Story

Meet the Team

Sean

Sweat

Impact Director

Sean Sweat brings a deep commitment to the academic, spiritual, and cultural identity development of young people—helping Black students see who they are, where they come from, and the power that lives within their culture. He believes education is not just about achievement, but about affirmation—helping students recognize their brilliance, honor their lineage, and walk in their purpose.
‍

Before joining Black Men Teach, Sean spent six years at Hope Academy, where he taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade and later served as Dean of Students. Earlier in his journey, he served at the historic Hospitality House Youth Development, where he designed and led a literacy program that produced meaningful gains for Northside students.
‍

His service extends beyond the classroom. Sean has served on the board of Literacy Minnesota and volunteered as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters, continuing his lifelong investment in mentorship and community leadership.
‍

Sean’s passion for seeing more Black men in the classroom grew from his own teaching experience—often being the only Black male teacher in the building and meeting rooms—and deepened as he began mentoring a cohort of Black Men Teach College Fellows as their leadership coach.
‍

“I often think about the 1950s and ’60s—my people. The teachers and the pastors. The poets and the artists. The barbers and the city workers. All of them were teachers. They majored in leadership and strategy. They met in church basements to wrestle back Black freedom and humanity—knowing the cost might be their lives. When a Black male teacher carries that lineage, that DNA, that will, into the classroom—when he educates a young Black student from that place of power and authenticity—I’m convinced it’s one of the most transformative acts in education. The mission of Black Men Teach is sacred work. It’s about healing our communities here in the Twin Cities, and I’m honored to be part of it.”


Sean studied at Virginia State University and Old Dominion University before earning his B.A. in Elementary Education from Western Governors University.

6 QUESTIONS

WITH

Sean

1

How would you describe what you do?

I shape and measure programs at Black Men Teach, telling the story of our work as it unfolds in the lives of educators, students, and communities, while clearing the path for Black men to teach and inspire scholars.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

I was drawn to Black Men Teach because its mission spoke directly to my experience when I was the only Black male teacher in my school. No Black man should ever have to navigate teaching in isolation, and I know firsthand how critical it is for students to be led by educators who look like them and share aspects of their lived experiences. BMT’s work ensures that Black male teachers are supported, visible, and able to make a lasting impact on the scholars they serve.

3

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

Liberation

4

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

If your heart is being led to teach - pursue it! Become a student of the Black teaching tradition. Develop a Sankofa mindset and know that teaching is liberatory work. This work is in your blood and you are needed in our classrooms.

5

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

I'm a reader and writer. I believe writing and storytelling are some of the most important forms of art - it's how we share the truth of our experiences. Our stories are constantly being erased and distorted. It's important to teach our scholars our history and to help develop their voice and agency to shed light in the world.

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'm a reader and writer. I believe writing and storytelling are some of the most important forms of art - it's how we share the truth of our experiences. Our stories are constantly being erased and distorted. It's important to teach our scholars our history and to help develop their voice and agency to shed light in the world.

I shape and measure programs at Black Men Teach, telling the story of our work as it unfolds in the lives of educators, students, and communities, while clearing the path for Black men to teach and inspire scholars.

1

How would you describe what you do?

1

I was drawn to Black Men Teach because its mission spoke directly to my experience when I was the only Black male teacher in my school. No Black man should ever have to navigate teaching in isolation, and I know firsthand how critical it is for students to be led by educators who look like them and share aspects of their lived experiences. BMT’s work ensures that Black male teachers are supported, visible, and able to make a lasting impact on the scholars they serve.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

2

Liberation

3

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

3

If your heart is being led to teach - pursue it! Become a student of the Black teaching tradition. Develop a Sankofa mindset and know that teaching is liberatory work. This work is in your blood and you are needed in our classrooms.

4

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

4

My mother - the most generous, caring person I know. The values that I carried with me into the classroom were values that I learned from my mom. They were helpful in how I built students up, affirmed them and created space for students to feel safe and thrive. 

Dr. Darrell Gillespie - my mentor when I was a student teacher and beyond. I learned leadership from him. Effective leadership is about the people - valuing them and making sure whenever they leave your space, they leave stronger and more confident.

5

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

5

I'm a reader and writer. I believe writing and storytelling are some of the most important forms of art - it's how we share the truth of our experiences. Our stories are constantly being erased and distorted. It's important to teach our scholars our history and to help develop their voice and agency to shed light in the world.

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?

6

Other Staff Members:

Jordan Lewandowski

High School Program Director

View Story

Dr. Courtney Bell-Duncan

Senior Director of Collective Impact

View Story

DeSean Smedley

College Cohort Program Director

View Story

Rosemarie Ndupuechi

Chief Advancement & Marketing Officer

View Story

Hajo Jaafaru

Program & Events Coordinator

View Story

Alex McCoy

Senior Manager of Teaching & Learning

View Story

Markus Flynn

Executive Director

View Story
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Sean Sweat

Impact Director

Sean Sweat brings a deep commitment to the academic, spiritual, and cultural identity development of young people—helping Black students see who they are, where they come from, and the power that lives within their culture. He believes education is not just about achievement, but about affirmation—helping students recognize their brilliance, honor their lineage, and walk in their purpose.
‍

Before joining Black Men Teach, Sean spent six years at Hope Academy, where he taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade and later served as Dean of Students. Earlier in his journey, he served at the historic Hospitality House Youth Development, where he designed and led a literacy program that produced meaningful gains for Northside students.
‍

His service extends beyond the classroom. Sean has served on the board of Literacy Minnesota and volunteered as a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters, continuing his lifelong investment in mentorship and community leadership.
‍

Sean’s passion for seeing more Black men in the classroom grew from his own teaching experience—often being the only Black male teacher in the building and meeting rooms—and deepened as he began mentoring a cohort of Black Men Teach College Fellows as their leadership coach.
‍

“I often think about the 1950s and ’60s—my people. The teachers and the pastors. The poets and the artists. The barbers and the city workers. All of them were teachers. They majored in leadership and strategy. They met in church basements to wrestle back Black freedom and humanity—knowing the cost might be their lives. When a Black male teacher carries that lineage, that DNA, that will, into the classroom—when he educates a young Black student from that place of power and authenticity—I’m convinced it’s one of the most transformative acts in education. The mission of Black Men Teach is sacred work. It’s about healing our communities here in the Twin Cities, and I’m honored to be part of it.”


Sean studied at Virginia State University and Old Dominion University before earning his B.A. in Elementary Education from Western Governors University.