Historically, Black male teachers have been underrepresented in U.S. public education. Recent data indicates that just 2 percent of U.S. teachers are Black men. While the reasons for this vary, one theory centers around the stereotype that, often, Black males are regulated to coaching or disciplinary positions with little opportunity to advance into leadership positions.  

Two NSBR-affiliated charter school leaders are breaking that mold. Read how Charles Natt, principal of Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, and Kevin O’Neal, student support services coordinator at Helix Legal Academy, are defying the odds and impacting students’ lives in Amanda McElfresh’s Advocate article Breaking the mold: Black male educators defy stereotypes and transform lives in Baton Rouge schools.