One Million Black Fathers Expected to Lead the 2007 March for Educational Excellence in American Schools

One Million Black Fathers Expected to Lead the 2007 March for Educational Excellence in American Schools Over 204 Cities will Participate in the Largest, Organized Back-to-School Effort in U.S. History (Pittsburgh, PA) – Like an army on its way to battle, hundreds of thousands of men will wake their children, make them breakfast, check their book bags, and then take them to school on the first day of school this fall school year. This scene will be played out at thousands of schools across America and other parts of the world. Last year, about 300,000 men from 127 cities participated in the Million Father March 2006. This year, an estimated 500,000 men from 200 cities are expected to participate. The Million Father March 2007 provides an escort of safety, support, and encouragement to children of all ages.

Participants in the event include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and friends of the family. Although this event is sponsored by Black men, women and men of all races are encouraged to take their children to school on their first day. We are pleased to take part in this National Movement, that calls for men who to take responsibility for their children's education. Our children are not statistics, they are our most precious resource, as such they should receive our highest priority. Parents should be held personally accountable if their children do not receive the best education available. - Paradise Gray

"Research shows that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, get better test scores, enjoy school more / and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college," says Phillip Jackson, executive director of The Black Star Project, a Chicago-based non-profit leading the yearly Million Father March initiative. Additionally, children have fewer behavior problems when fathers listen to and talk with them regularly and are active in their lives. A good father is part of a good parent team and is critical to creating a strong family structure. Strong family structures produce children who are more academically proficient, socially developed and self-assured. Such children become adults who are valuable assets to their communities. "Better parents produce better communities, better schools, and better students with higher academic achievements," says Jackson. Since schools across America and the world start the year on different days and months, the March will be a rolling event that takes place on the first day of this school year in cities, villages, and towns / between August 7, 2007, and October 13, 2007.

The 2007 Million Father March is sponsored in part by The Black Star Project. Please visit our website for complete information at http://www.blackstarproject.org/. You may also email millionfathermarch@gmail.com for more information. We ask that all fathers, community organizations and individuals join with us to make this a successful event. Please email or call us to add your organization to the list of supporters.

The Black Star Project
One HOOD
The Millions More Movement
B-PEP
Community Empowerment Association
The Coalition Against Violence
The Pittsburgh Gathering
Brother 2 Brother
Brotha Ash Productions
Muhammad Mosque No. 22
Potters House Ministries
Disciples of the Village
Joshua Men (PFA)
Fatherhood Magazine
1Livevision Multimedia
DJ Goodnight
Uwebtv.com
Maleness 2 Manhood
One Hill Coalition
Office Of Multicultural Affairs, Duquesene University
Mark Brentley Sr., Pittsburgh School Board Director - District 8

Paradise GrayOne HOODhttp://www.myspace.con/millionfathermarch http://www.myspace.com/onehoodorg

*Updated Pittsburgh Area School Opening Schedule
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Allderdice High School
Starting date: Aug. 30
Estimated enrollment: 1,650
Boyce Campus Middle College High School
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 180
Central Catholic High School
Starting date: Aug. 28
Estimated enrollment: 850

East Allegheny
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 1,874

Gateway
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 4,300

McKeesport Area
Starting date: Aug. 28
Estimated enrollment: 4,168

Oakland Catholic High SchoolStarting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 550

Penn Hills
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 5,190

Plum Borough School District
Starting date: Aug. 28
Estimated enrollment: 4,200

Riverview
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 1,175

Serra Catholic High School
Starting date: Aug. 23 for freshmen. All others, Aug. 24
Estimated enrollment: 350

Wilkinsburg
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 1,403

Woodland Hills
Starting date: Aug. 28
Estimated enrollment: 5,000

WESTMORELAND COUNTY
Derry Area
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 2,538

Franklin Regional
Starting date: Aug. 28
Estimated enrollment: 3,756

Greater Latrobe Area
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 4,200

Greensburg Central Catholic High School
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 525

Greensburg Salem
Starting date: Aug. 29
Estimated enrollment: 3,083

Hempfield Area
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 6,475

Jeannette City
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 1,250

Norwin
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 5,200

Penn-Trafford
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 4,500

Southmoreland
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 2,165

Yough Area
Starting date: Aug. 27
Estimated enrollment: 2,480
*School information from:
What's new as students return to classes By Kelly McKinney and Eric SlaglePittsburgh Post Gazette - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07235/811333-56.stm
Thursday, August 23, 2007
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This is a reminder to all to PLEASE attend the Town Hall Meeting on Friday August 24, 2007 at Reizenstein School.

There will be a panel discussion with School Board Directors Mark Brentley and Randall Taylor, PPS Special Schools, PSE and Student Services Director Dr. J. Kaye Cupples, and Educator Dr. Fred Douglass. Two (2) representatives from Community Education Partners (CEP) will also be in attendance.

We are hoping for a large turn out to send a message to the School Board and Administrators that we care about the education of children in the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Please spread the word!!

Sincerely,
Lucille Prater-Holliday
Black Women's Empowerment Institute