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Mayor Bowser, Howard University Kick Off 500 for 500: Mentoring Through Literacy Program

Monday, September 28, 2015
Partnerships with Howard University and MPD add to EMOC initiative

Contact: LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick kicked off fall recruitment efforts for the 500 for 500: Mentoring through Literacy Program. 500 for 500, a core strategy of District of Columbia Public Schools’ (DCPS) Empowering Males of Color Initiative, is designed to engage 500 volunteers as mentors to 500 male students of color to help them build strong literacy skills, gain confidence and discover a passion for reading.

As part of today’s kick off, Mayor Bowser announced a unique partnership between DCPS, Howard University and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Beginning in October, MPD cadet classes will mentor males of color on a weekly basis during the 2015-2016 school year. Howard University’s Homecoming and Dormitory Courts will also begin mentoring during this school year.  

“We need to fundamentally change the dynamic for our males of color,” said Mayor Bowser. “With this program, we are partnering with the Metropolitan Police Department, non-profits and District residents for the greater good. I thank Howard University President Wayne Frederick for accepting this call to action which will help improve outcomes for our young men of color.”

In January, Mayor Bowser and DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson launched the Empowering Males of Color Initiative (EMOC). EMOC will improve the academic and life outcomes of Washington, DC’s African-American and Latino males through three key strategies: mentoring, target funding and an all-male college preparatory high school.

The goal is to recruit 500 mentors over two years. Mentors will receive training and ongoing support from DC Public Schools and a host of devoted community partners, including Higher Achievement, Reading Partners, For Love of Children and Mentors Inc.

“Literacy is a fundamental and necessary building block to everyone’s education and ultimately our integration into mainstream society,” said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University. “Mentoring Through Literacy volunteers will serve as tutor, coach and role model to augment the academic tutelage many students need beyond what’s available in the classroom or at home.”

Over the next three years, the Bowser Administration will continue to invest $20 million in Empowering Males of Color to target the most urgent and persistent challenges.

Visit dcps.dc.gov/emoc to learn more about the Empowering Males of Color Initiative. A fact sheet is available here.