Prelude to our 30th Anniversary messages of congratulations

Black Collegian, Feb 2001 by Joyner, Tom, Edelman, Marian Wright, LaCour, Nat, Cullers, Jeffery B, Et al

Let me just take a moment out to congratulate you on your 30th anniversary of publication. I know it isn't easy for a magazine to survive. They come and go all the time, so your staying power is a testament to how good you are at serving the needs of your audience. And you look good too! I've enjoyed THE BLACK COLLEGIAN for years and I hope it's around for many, many more. I just have one request from friend and co-host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, J. Anthony Brown. Could you publish a special edition just for the trade schools? Hey, it's just a suggestion. Congratulations again and continued longevity.

Tom Joyner Host

The Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show

Congratulations to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN on your thirtieth anniversary. Deepest thanks for your legacy of award-winning work. Best wishes for continued success in bringing important news, features, and information to African-American college students across the country.

Marian Wright Edelman President Children's Defense Fund

On behalf of the American Federation of Teachers, I proudly salute THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine on its 30th Anniversary. For three decades, college students nationwide have looked to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN to keep them informed regarding the contemporary issues impacting their lives and society. I am certain that as THE BLACK COLLEGIAN celebrates its rich past, it renews its commitment to continue to be a magazine dedicated to enriching the Black experience. Congratulations.

Nat LaCour Executive Vice President American Federation of Teachers

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine on its historic 30th anniversary and salute this one-of-a-kind publication on its tremendous contributions to the African-American community and the United States as well. This anniversary takes on even added significance when you take into account the impact THE BLACK COLLEGIAN has had on education and job placement for African Americans in this country.

Jeffery B. Cullers President Vince Cullers Advertising, Inc.

I applaud the invaluable service that THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine has provided African-American students [with for the past 30 years and wish you continuing success. Education continues to be one of the vital keys for African-American progress, and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN plays a crucial role in encouraging students to seek higher education and launch successful careers. We at the Joint Center are also celebrating three decades of providing analysis on policies affecting African Americans, and view THE BLACK COLLEGIAN as a kindred spirit in the drive to equip people of color with the tools to succeed. In the past half century, African Americans have made enormous strides in educational achievement, but by most measures, we still lag behind many other Americans. Faced with the reality of an information-driven future, it is imperative that we become more aggressive in seeking to close the education gap. THE BLACK COLLEGIAN will play a major role in achieving this goal.

Eddie N. Williams President and CEO

Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies www.jointcenter. org

African-American Teacher Recruitment:

an Urgent Issue

After 29 years in education, Jam still convinced that I made the right career choice. It is not uncommon to hear African-American high school and college students, when asked about becoming a teacher, respond without hesitation, "No, I would never be a teacher." However, when discussing solutions to social problems facing African Americans, there is general agreement that more African-American teachers are needed to teach our children. So where do they come from? The percentage of African-American teachers is declining rapidly.

A people cannot maintain its culture, if the customs and values are not taught. The customs and values at jeopardy today in AfricanAmerican society and schools are the expectation to learn at high levels, and the importance of an educated African-American person to function in mainstream America. Never before has the need been so critical for African Americans to become public school teachers. Not only are they needed to be role models for children, but they are also needed to correct the attitudes and behaviors of teachers who have low expectations for students of color. The achievement gap between white and African-American students continues to widen. It is not because white students are getting smarter, but because African-American families are not demanding excellence and African-American children are not performing academically. Urban schools are besieged with unqualified teachers who continue to foster the tracking of students in lower-level courses.

African-American college students must respond to the need and become teachers. Your presence at a college demonstrates that you know the importance of an education and that a teacher touched your life. You are needed to touch the lives of thousands of African-American children who are being left behind. I hope you will embrace the saying "Each one, teach one," and become a public school teacher.