Chris Emdin and Edmund Adjapong share about the power of mentorship and how a personal commitment in a boy’s future can make a difference in his life.
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Marie Roker-Jones, Senior Editor, The Good Men Project sat down with Chris Emdin and Edmund Adjapong to talk about their mentoring relationship.
Chris and Edmund shared what they have learned from each other and how a mentoring relationship also contributes to the mentor’s growth as a leader. We also discussed the great strides both men are making in urban science education by incorporating hip hop into science education.
Highlights of the conversation:
- How to choose the right mentor and stay engaged in the mentoring relationship
- How a mentor can guide you through career options
- Finding the right balance in a mentoring relationship
- How to engage students to learn in non-conventional ways
Dr. Christopher Emdin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University; where he also serves as Director of Science Education at the Center for Health Equity and Urban Science Education. He is currently a Caperton Fellow and Hip-Hop Archive Fellow at the WEB DuBois Institute at Harvard University.
Dr. Emdin is a social critic, public intellectual and science advocate whose commentary on issues of race, culture, inequality and education have appeared in dozens of influential periodicals including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.
Dr. Emdin holds a Ph.D in Urban Education with a concentration in Mathematics, Science, and Technology; Masters degrees in both Natural Sciences and Education Administration, and Bachelors degrees in Physical Anthropology, Biology, and Chemistry.
He is the co creator of the #HipHopEd social media movement, and a much sought-after public speaker on a number of topics that include hip-hop education, STEM education, politics, race, class, diversity, and youth empowerment. He is also an advisor to numerous international organizations, school districts, and schools where he delivers speeches, and holds workshops/ professional development sessions for students, teachers, policy makers, and other education stakeholders within the public and private sector.
Dr. Emdin writes the provocative “Emdin 5” series on a number of contemporary social issues for the Huffington Post. He is also author of the award winning book, Urban Science Education for the Hip-hop Generation.
Check him out at Chris Emdin.com
Edmund Adjapong, a native of the Bronx, NY, is a student at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Science Education and received a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Africana Studies from The State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Edmund believes every student has the ability to learn, and does so differently. He also believes that engaging students through urban youth culture, especially Hip-Hop – despite its unconventional method – is an effective way to educate. Edmund enjoys working with and mentoring youth, especially young men of color. He is the administrator for the Science Genius Program, a program that engages urban students in the sciences through Hip-Hop, and the director of The Science Genius Academy, a program that encourages and prepares students to pursue STEM careers while providing mentoring and support. Following the completion of his masters degree, Edmund plans on continuing education by pursuing his Doctorate of Philosophy in Science Education.
Find out more at Edmund Adjapong.com
Also check out How Mentoring Breaks the Cycle and Changes the Future for America’s Young Black Men
Wow!These sound like two very accomplished guys.It was exhausting just reading their lenghty resumes, which I am sure were probably abbreviated.However,I am wondering how effective is this traditional approach to solving these problems. I have been to workshops and they are great for networking,enhancing the reps of presenters and providing motivation for the boots on the ground,they have limits. Don’t you think sometimes that relying on egghead culture isn’t the most efficient way to provide the services these youth need?An entire cottage industry has sprung up ,led by academics around helping turn youngmen into men.There was a “Man-up Conference” recently… Read more »