education
Bronx charter school principal discusses importance of mentorship
BY ALEX MITCHELL
Mentorship is a vital aspect
to the education of
young people throughout
their schooling and into their
adult lives, one Bronx charter
school principal says.
Isaiah Brown, principal
of newly founded Co-op City
based Capital Prep charter
school discussed the significance
of mentorship this
week during a Black History
Month forum held by Councilman
Kevin Riley along
with two other youth empowerment
guests, Sherman
Browne and Pamela Damon.
Brown’s school is opening
as an opportunity not just
to offer education of self but
also for college and career
readiness while also teaching
the consciousness of social
justice and cultivating
emotional and social change
– an objective which mentoring
helps to carry out.
Speaking in front of a sign
reading “We Will Change
the World,” Brown discussed
ways of empowering the
youth, speaking on the “halo
effect” of positive role models
for kids and teenagers to see
who look like them and grew
up in areas like the Bronx.
He also urged the importance
of dispelling misconceptions
for young people of
color such as a collegiate education
being out of reach.
Brown also says it’s important
to be aware of such
misnomers appearing on social
media while encouraging
the youth and peers to
make proper choices while
talking to their parents or a
mentor role more often than
usual.
“Our parents are not everywhere
we are,” he said,
explaining that young people
need to fi nd an outlet where
they can be vulnerable even
if they are not family.
Though, parents have
an obligation to check in
with mentors, the principal
noted.
If looking for a mentor,
Brown suggests talking to
teachers and school faculty
members for guidance.
“Adults are not going to
say no,” he said, continuing
to explain the signifi cance
Isaiah Brown, Principal of Capital Prep Charter School. Screenshot via Zoom
of “maintaining the village”
to give young people a sense
of community to lean on and
support one another.
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Brown also admitted that
mentorship is something
time consuming and is often
multifaceted.
It is though, a positive
way for youth to develop, he
says, urging that good infl uences
make themselves more
visible to young people in areas
like the Bronx.
Principal Brown is also
calling for youth summit to
promote good choices and
the ideas of mentorship.
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