Become a
LEADER
of Leaders
Find the right leadership development program for you
The BMEsTalk Catalyst is a four-day in-person, experiential and inspirational leadership development workshop. Taking place in Atlanta, GA, over the summer, you will join a diverse cohort of leaders like you. Black men advancing in their careers, possessing a wealth of expertise, cultural knowledge, and lived experiences.
The BMEsTalk Incubator is a 10-month facilitative leadership certification program. Join the Incubator to build connections that last a lifetime; land your dream job; increase your annual income. Our Incubator is a thoughtfully curated leader and leadership development journey that will equip you with the tools, knowledge, and personalized community of support you need to transform the way you lead leaders.
The BMEsTalk Leadership Lab is a series of four (4) virtual affinity group convenings curated for and by Black Male Educators. Each convening is experiential, offering you the space to be heard, feel energized, and inspire other men that look like you.
BMEsTalk CATALYST
Build Skills for Changing the World
Start Date
Summer 2024
Format
In-Person
Duration
4 consecutive Days
Investment
TBD
About Program
Summer 2024 | Atlanta, GA
The BMEsTalk Catalyst is a four-day in-person, experiential and inspirational leadership development workshop. Taking place in Atlanta, GA, over the summer, you will join a diverse cohort of leaders like you. Black men advancing in their careers, possessing a wealth of expertise, cultural knowledge, and lived experiences.
Upon completion of the Catalyst, you can rest assured that you’ll leave connected to a strong network of Black Male Educators, know how to protect your mental energy, and possess a greater capacity to lead change in your classroom, school, and community.
What You’ll Learn
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
Conflict Mitigation
Strategies
Principles of Adult
Learning Theory
Topics Covered
- Black men, wellness, and affinity
- Personal storytelling, identity, and freedom in authenticity
- Protocols: equity of voice in group settings
- Emotional intelligence and chronic stress
- Power and privilege in the Black community
- Conflict mitigation in the workplace
- Collaborative leadership and collective intelligence
Selfishly invest in yourself this summer, rediscover your “why,” embrace your dynamic energy and channel it to enhance your leadership skills. Let’s kick off the coming school year together with more energy than ever before.
Daily Workshop Themes
- Day 1 – “Claiming Our Stories”
- Day 2 – “Navigating Workplace Dynamics”
- Day 3 – “Seeking Wise Counsel”
- Day 4 – “Visioning for the Future”
Each day will start at 9 am and end at 4 pm.
“I’ve been teaching for 20 years. And every year, I try to find something that will improve me. And this is it.”
Michael, Arkansas
Registration
What You’ll Get
- BMEsTalk Catalyst Resource Binder and Toolkit
- BMEsTalk Custom Journal and Pen
- BMEsTalk Swag – t-shirt, water bottle and more.
- Complimentary breakfast and lunch each day
- Exclusive access to the BMEsTalk Social Hour
- BMEsTalk Certificate of Completion
Program Registration Fee
- TBD
Convince Your Boss
We know budgets are tight and justifying the cost of your professional development is an important part of getting the approval you need so you can join us. We want to help!
We’ve drafted a template letter to help you build a better business case for attending BMEsTalk Leadership Development Opportunity.
BMEsTalk INCUBATOR
Become a LEADER of Leaders
Start Date
Late Summer 2024
Format
In-Person and Live Online
Duration
10-months
Investment
TBD
About Program
Late Summer 2024 thru Spring 2025 | Atlanta, GA and Live Online
The BMEsTalk Incubator is a 10-month facilitative leadership certification program. Join the Incubator to build connections that last a lifetime; land your dream job; increase your annual income. Our Incubator is a thoughtfully curated leader and leadership development journey that will equip you with the tools, knowledge, and personalized community of support you need to transform the way you lead leaders.
Develop Your Skills to Lead
- Equity-centered professional learning workshops
- Black Male Educator affinity groups
- Small professional learning communities
- Teacher support/wellness programs
Our Incubator combines both in-person training retreats (over the summer) and online small group coaching sessions (across the school year) to help you make a direct connection between learning and its application in your professional practice. Building upon the knowledge and experiences gained from the Catalyst (a prerequisite), our Incubator will help you evolve on a personal and professional level to become the type of leader education needs.
What You’ll Learn
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
Conflict Mitigation Strategies
Principles of Adult Learning Theory
Psychologically Safe Learning Environments
Racial Equity-Centered Facilitation
Topics Covered
- Racism, power, and privilege in America
- Conflict mitigation in the workplace
- Collaborative leadership and collective intelligence
- Principles of adult learning theory and psychologically safe learning environments
- White dominant culture in the workplace
- Racial equity-centered facilitation
- Equitable professional learning communities
If you are ready to explore fresh ways of thinking, discover exciting new directions, and lead within a global network of Black Male Educators, this is the certification program for you.
Program Schedule
4- Day
BMEsTalk Catalyst
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: Summer 2024
Time: 9am to 4pm EST each day
NOTE: All participants must complete the BMEsTalk Catalyst prior to the start of the Orientation Retreat.
1- Day
Orientation Retreat
Theme: Power in the Present Moment
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: Late Summer 2024
Time: 9am to 4pm EST
8-virtual
Breakthrough Coaching Sessions
Theme: Learn, Grow and Thrive
Location: Online – synchronously live on Zoom
Date: Once a month on Saturdays | September 2024 thru April 2025
Time: 9am to noon EST
2-Day
Closing Retreat and Awards/
Certification Dinner & Celebration
Theme: The Art of Facilitative Leadership
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: Late Spring 2025
Time: 9am to 8pm EST
“Thank you for letting me dream because I haven’t dreamed in a long time. And I’m ready to realize my dream and take the steps to do it.” Corey, Georgia
Registration
What You’ll Get
- BMEsTalk Incubator Resource Binder and Toolkit
- BMEsTalk Swag — custom lapel pin, polo-shirt, and more
- Catered breakfast and lunch each day of the retreats
- Complimentary seat to BMEsTalk Incubator Awards/Certification Dinner & Celebration
- BMEsTalk Facilitative Leadership Certificate
Program Registration Fee
Catalyst + Incubator Combo Registration Fee:
- TBD
Convince Your Boss
We know budgets are tight and justifying the cost of your professional development is an important part of getting the approval you need so you can join us. We want to help!
We’ve drafted a template letter to help you build a better business case for attending BMEsTalk Leadership Development Opportunity.
BMEsTalk LEADERSHIP LAB
Connect with a Community of Dynamic Leaders
Start Date
TBA
Format
Live Online
Duration
4 consecutive Days
Investment
TBD
About Program
To Be Announced | Live Online
The BMEsTalk Leadership Lab is a series of four (4) virtual affinity group convenings curated for and by Black Male Educators. Each convening is experiential, offering you the space to be heard, feel energized, and inspire other men that look like you.
Our Leadership Lab is 100% virtual. With just the click of a link, you can connect to a virtual “room” full of dynamic Black Male Educators. Invest in your personal development as a leader while building genuine relationships with Black Male Educators from across the country and around the globe, all from the comfort of your own home.
What You’ll Learn
Self-Awareness
Active Listening
Storytelling and Communicating Effectively
Topics Covered
- Black Men, wellness, and affinity
- Personal storytelling, identity, and freedom in authenticity
- Protocols: equity of voice in group settings
Daily Workshop Themes
- Session 1 – “Me, Myself, and Us”
- Session 2 – “Self-Care Matters”
- Session 3 – “My Racial Identity Journey”
- Session 4 – “Celebrating Excellence”
Each convening will be held live, synchronously on Zoom from 6pm to 8pm EST.
“I feel refreshed. I won’t hide. I know what’s inside of me. I plan to be more open and intentional.”
Danny, Texas
Registration
What You’ll Get
- BMEsTalk Leadership Lab Digital Resource Kit
- BMEsTalk Certificate of Completion
Program Registration Fee
Leadership Lab Registration Fee:
- TBD
Convince Your Boss
We know budgets are tight and justifying the cost of your professional development is an important part of getting the approval you need so you can join us. We want to help!
We’ve drafted a template letter to help you build a better business case for attending BMEsTalk Leadership Development Opportunity.
BMEsTalk Leadership Development
All 3 Leadership Development Programs at a Glance
| Catalyst | Incubator* | Leadership Lab | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Date | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Format | In-person | In-person & Live Online | Live Online |
| Duration | 4 consecutive days | 10 months | 4 consecutive days |
| Investment | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Topics Covered
| Black Men, Wellness and Affinity | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Personal Storytelling & Identity | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Protocols: Equity of Voice in Group Settings | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Emotional intelligence & Chronic Stress | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Conflict Mitigation in the Workplace | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Power and Privilege | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Principles of Adult Learning Theory | ✕ | ✕ | |
| White Dominant Culture in the Workplace | ✕ | ||
| Collaborative Leadership & Collective Intelligence | ✕ | ||
| Racial Equity Centered Facilitation | ✕ | ||
| Equitable Professional Learning Communities | ✕ | ||
| BMEsTalk Facilitator Certification | ✕ |
Meet Our Amazing Facilitators
Ayodele Harrison – Lead Facilitator
Ayodele Harrison is a leadership development coach and racial equity practitioner. He has over 2 decades experience, teaching and leading in public, private and international schools. Ayodele spent 6 of these years as an administrator in a teacher residency program. Ayodele is currently the Senior Partner of Education at CommunityBuild Ventures (CBV) – a pro-Black solutions focused firm committed to eliminating racial disparities by developing powerful, impactful racial equity driven leaders and organizations. Ayodele leads CBV’s signature initiative entitled Black Male Educators Talk (BMEsTalk). BMEsTalk helps Black Male Educators to accelerate student learning and strengthen adult leadership through cohort based training and coaching. Ayodele curates “brave space” for Black men to explore identity, challenge cultural stigma and reclaim masculinity to unlock greater leadership potential within.
Anthony Lobban – Lead Facilitator
Anthony is a first-generation American who brings a multicultural perspective that puts equity and inclusion at the heart of his work. He is passionate about making space for the voices of marginalized populations to be heard and respected. Anthony attended Hillsborough Community College, and has been working in education for the past eighteen years, serving children from 18 months through 8th grade. Most recently, Anthony served as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coach and Associate Learning Specialist at Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School. Anthony successfully completed the Georgia State University CREATE Teacher Residency’s inaugural Equity Facilitation Fellowship, and regularly leads equity centered adult education. Additionally, Anthony has completed Emory University’s Cognitively Based Compassion Certified Instructor Training.
Apply for a
Scholarship
Thanks to a few generous sponsors, we have a select number of scholarships available to cover registration fees only. To apply for a scholarship, click the link button below to complete the BMEsTalk Scholarship Application.
Become a BMEsTalk Sponsor
There are multiple opportunities to sponsor BMEsTalk. Individuals or organizations may sponsor in the following ways:
- Sponsorship Packages
- In-Kind Donations –
- Venues, Catering, Printing, Facilitation, Materials, Awards, etc.
Click the button below to download the BMEsTalk Sponsorship Packet. For more information, contact Ayodele Harrison, Director of BMEsTalk at ayodele@communitybuildventures.com