Black Star Project Encourages Parents to Walk Their Children to School

Chicago's Black Star Project launches the "Million Father March". Molly Snyder Edler has more:

Chicago's Black Star Project launched a nationwide event called the "Million Father March" that encourages African-American fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and foster fathers to "march" their kids to their first day of school to demonstrate their commitment to education and their kids' futures.

Even thought the "Million Father March" is based in the Windy City, it will take place all over the country. Almost 50 cities are on board with the project, including Milwaukee.

Local organizers Phillip Bridges and Todd Pierce hope to see thousands of dads escourting their kids to class on the first day of school. Milwaukee Public Schools start Tuesday, Sept. 5.

"Research has shown that when a father takes an active role in the educational and social development of a child, the child earns better grades, gets better test scores, enjoys school more and is more likely to graduate high school and attend college," says Bridges.

In Milwaukee, only 24 percent of African-American males graduate from high school, and 54 percent are unemployed. Also, it's speculated that by 2007 the incarceration rate of black men in Milwaukee will be over 65 percent.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at August 2, 2006 6:03 AM
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