By Justin Markofski
Northside News
Building Up Black Boys first launched April 17 as a 16-week pilot program hosted at Packer Community Learning Center (CLC). I am quite sure Building Up Black Boys (www.buildingupblackboysllc.com) is successfully taking flight toward making a significant impact first here on the Northside of Madison and far beyond.
The program organically emerged out of what began as an idea of a love letter from Felicia Butler — program founder and single Black mother — to her then becoming teenage son Myles.
Felicia and I have connected several times including for an informal interview to talk about the origins, purpose and plans she has for Building Up Black Boys. Along the way, I also spoke with the beloved “Mr. Phil” Watters, instructor and mentor, and heard his voice and perspective on this new program the two of them are teaming up to create and lead. These two are a dynamic team with big hearts and intentions and are already seeking to expand this program to another cohort of young Black scholars here on the Northside.
I mentioned Felicia’s idea of a love letter of instruction to her son. Felicia felt she wanted her son Myles to have some advice on becoming a man beyond what she was able to offer as his single mother. Felicia was led to reach back to her roots — her village — for advice. On page 12 of the introduction to her book “A Survival Guide for My Black Son,” she wrote “I reached out to every Black male that I have ever known in my life whose life story I have witnessed unfold from boy to man for the best five pieces of advice they had ever received in their life.” As you see, her letter idea evolved into a full-fledged book to Myles as responses came back, and she compiled them into a book (copyright 2022 and available on Amazon).
When Felicia had an official book launch in December 2022, it started to gain attention and traction and she developed a curriculum for the book.
Meanwhile, Felicia was hearing about a favorite middle school teacher from her son Myles named “Mr. Phil.” The teacher ended up contacting Felicia to ask permission to spend some time with Myles outside of school and develop their relationship further as a mentor and positive support to Myles. As these relationships grew between Phil, Myles and Felicia, Felicia saw in Mr. Phil precisely the Black male mentor she hoped to partner with in delivering her curriculum to young Black boys. Mr. Phil began writing lesson plans for the curriculum, and everything came into place as they worked together.
During this time Felicia contacted her longtime friend Pat Wongkit, Director of Northport and Packer Community Learning Centers (CLCs) and shared her idea and work. They shared the same concerns that “Black boys were being lost for no reason and [they] wanted to give them more hope.” So, meetings were held, and an agreement and initial contract was made for a 16-week pilot of the program offered Monday and Friday evenings with support from Atasha Pinnell at the Packer CLC.
At the first meeting, there were six boys in attendance, but this quickly changed as the boys talked about it with their friends, and the group quickly grew to 25. Felicia and Mr. Phil needed to cap it to retain the relational quality and intention with the cohort of boys.
Mr. Phil gives the boys a goal, and a reward system pays out a new pair of shoes to the two boys who score the most points throughout the full session. A couple of the boys got to go with Felicia, Mr. Phil, Atasha and Myles to be interviewed at DJ Fusion’s 93.1 Jamz studio for the radio program “Community & Culture: Inside Out” on July 21. (Have a listen on the www.madtownjamz website.)
Digging a little further into their recipe for success, Mr. Phil states that while many teachers have problems with kids, he doesn’t. “You must build a relationship with anybody to create a foundation. It doesn’t matter race or anything.” Mr. Phil naturally did this with Myles as he heard other teachers were having issues with him, but Mr. Phil wasn’t. So, he went out of his way to further connect with Myles because he didn’t want to see him labeled and getting into more trouble.
As mentioned, Mr. Phil voluntarily reached out to Myles’s mom Felicia to ask permission to give this time and attention inside and even outside of school to connect with Myles. Both Mr. Phil and Felicia said making that connection to the parent(s) and family is another key. Kids see that effort and respond to that as well.
The curriculum includes teaching life skills, being honest and “real” adults, and trying to share the mindset of a teacher so kids can understand better what they are dealing with and how they can be perceived. Mr. Phil said, “If you are showing me respect, I know you can show others respect.” He has one-on-ones with the kids as they get to know and trust one another more. He asks students to share what they may be struggling with in school and honestly assess what they think their reading level is, for example.
When I asked near the end of the conversation if there was anything else Mr. Phil wanted to say about the program, he added that they pray with the boys, too. He understands some people get nervous about that aspect but says spirituality is a key component and “hope anchors the soul.”
Both Felicia and Mr. Phil see this as something that can go extremely big. They want to expand on the Northside and get into schools and desire for the program to be replicated and implemented across the city, state and nation. With that in mind, they are drafting a training manual to multiply teachers and mentors for this program.
Felicia loves quotes and her current favorite is one an aunt shared with her. “If your dreams don’t scare you that means they are not big enough,” Muhammad Ali. Building Up Black Boys is reaching high and aiming for the sky because the investment in and value of Black boys is totally worth it.
Finally, I asked Felicia what interested people and the community can do to support them and this good work. She said just reach out and connect with them. Go to the website, email or call her. She will respond and go from there.
Felicia said, “this whole thing has had a mind of its own and keeps growing,” so they are trusting the process and are committed to and believe in the work. So do I. Building Up Black Boys recently got their first volunteer, a twenty-something young Black man who saw this as a great opportunity to get involved. Consider what contribution you can and wish to make to this. Let’s keep supporting great people doing great things in our community. Thanks Felicia and Mr. Phil. Hats off to you for shining.
