• News
    • Research News
    • Faculty News
    • Alumni News
    • Student News
    • STEM News
  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
FAMU Forward
FAMU Forward

Tallahassee, Florida

February 6th, 2023
  • News
    • Research News
      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

    • Faculty News
      FAMU & NBFJA Announce the Launch of the Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Agroecology Center

      FAMU & NBFJA Announce the Launch of the Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Agroecology Center

      FAMU Professor Named to Capitol Hill Ocean Week Advisory Committee 

      FAMU Professor Named to Capitol Hill Ocean Week Advisory Committee 

      FAMU CoPPS, IPH Receives $700K Grant to Increase Awareness and Participation of Minorities in COVID-19 Variant Clinical Research Trials

      FAMU CoPPS, IPH Receives $700K Grant to Increase Awareness and Participation of Minorities in COVID-19 Variant Clinical Research Trials

      FAMU Professor Secures $3.5M to Support Wellness of Florida’s First Responders

      FAMU Professor Secures $3.5M to Support Wellness of Florida’s First Responders

    • Alumni News
      <strong>FAMU Announces W. Rebecca Brown As CFO/VP Finance and Administration </strong>

      FAMU Announces W. Rebecca Brown As CFO/VP Finance and Administration 

      <strong>Tallahassee Pastor Inspires FAMU MLK Convocation Audience</strong>

      Tallahassee Pastor Inspires FAMU MLK Convocation Audience

       FAMU Physics Ph.D. Graduate Performs Research in Support of the Lawrence Livermore National Ignition Facility 

       FAMU Physics Ph.D. Graduate Performs Research in Support of the Lawrence Livermore National Ignition Facility 

      FAMU Stalwarts Eddie Jackson and Michael Smith Honored at Florida Classic Night of Distinction

      FAMU Stalwarts Eddie Jackson and Michael Smith Honored at Florida Classic Night of Distinction

    • Student News
      FAMU Announces 2022-2023 David E. and Mary J. Pollard Scholarship Recipient

      FAMU Announces 2022-2023 David E. and Mary J. Pollard Scholarship Recipient

      Three FAMU Students Earn U.S. State Department Gilman International Scholarships

      Three FAMU Students Earn U.S. State Department Gilman International Scholarships

      <strong>Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Invites FAMU College of Law Graduates To Stay Around and Shape the Community</strong>

      Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Invites FAMU College of Law Graduates To Stay Around and Shape the Community

      FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google Ad's Shape Co-Lab

      FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google Ad's Shape Co-Lab

    • STEM News
      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researchers Receive NSF, DoD Grants for Advanced Research Equipment 

      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
Home
News

FAMU’s Black Male College Explorers Program Still Relevant 30 years After Inception

July 28th, 2020 Andrew Skerritt News
FAMU’s Black Male College Explorers Program Still Relevant 30 years After Inception

Director Errol Wilson and BMCEP students.

By Glyndell B. Presley

For 30 years, the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Black Male College Explorers Program (BMCEP) has helped hundreds of young black men channel potential into success in the classroom and adulthood. 

Since its inception in the early 1990’s, the program has expanded its scope with academic and personal life choices. It also continues to offer six weeks of direct and supplemental instruction in mathematics, science, language arts, mentoring, and academic planning.

BMCEP Director Errol Wilson said the program is still relevant because disparities persist in the high school graduation rates for African American young men and other ethnic groups.  

“There remains a need for academic support to assist with narrowing the achievement gap for males of color,” Wilson said.  Despite improvements in the graduation rates for black males across the state, Wilson said, the Florida Department of Education high school graduation reports indicate that they graduate from high school at or near the bottom compared to other ethnic groups. 

“Given the potential explosion of the achievement gap caused by COVID-19 and the socio-economic realities of our target population, services, and interventions provided by the Black Male College Explorers are needed more than ever,” Wilson added.

BMCEP was initially implemented during President Frederick S. Humphries, Ph.D.’s tenure and operated under the College of Education’s umbrella, with Tommy Mitchell as its first director. The program was initially funded by a grant by the Florida Legislature.

The grant funded the program annually for several years along with state appropriation funds and support from private donations. Its blueprint was crafted to prevent “at-risk” Black males from dropping out of high school, directing a path toward college admission, and increasing the chances of college graduation.

Edward Tolliver, Ph.D., followed in Mitchell’s footsteps as the second director and led the program for many years before being succeeded by Wilson. The program has been expanded to other Florida historically Black colleges and university campuses, including Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, and Florida Memorial University.

Ronald Rhodes, a BMCEP alumnus, said the program was pivotal in helping him develop the confidence to embrace his “can-do” spirit.

“I learned how to speak up and speak out about a lot of issues,” Rhodes said. “I learned time management. I learned about how to become a top student in the program and how to get goals accomplished.” 

Rhodes of Apalachicola,  Fla., participated in the program during 1990-91. Mitchell, Adel Manatee and the staff were more than just the people who ran the program, Rhodes said.

“Mr. Mitchell was like a father-figure, and Ms. Manatee, like a mother-figure,” he added. 

Fellow alumnus Michello Daniel said the program taught him much needed discipline.

“There are so many benefits of the program,” he said. “I was a person who was not used to discipline. This is the first thing that you are introduced to.” 

Daniel said the program’s mentors taught him techniques he now uses in his present job in corrections. 

BMCEP alumnus Greg Ray agreed with Daniel about the how mentors helped to shape behavior and attitude. While a junior at FAMU in 1998, Ray accepted a job with the program as a mentor. He knew it was not just a job;  it was his calling. 

“The emphasis was on teaching young people how to be respectful to other adults and deal with people,” Ray said. “The organizers expected the same of the staff.”

For more information about BMCEP call Errol Wilson or Adel Manatee at (850) 561-2407 or (850-561-2408 or visit https://www.famucoe.com/bmcep.

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article FAMU Issues Statement Regarding Recent Tallahassee Incidents
Next article FAMU Bragg Stadium COVID-19 Testing Site To Remain Open Friday
Related Posts
<strong>FAMU Hosts Awarding Winning Journalist  Soledad O’brien for Black History Month Conversation</strong>

FAMU Hosts Awarding Winning Journalist  Soledad O’brien for Black History Month Conversation

February 3rd, 2023
<strong>FAMU Hosts Regional Robotics Tournament on Saturday</strong>

FAMU Hosts Regional Robotics Tournament on Saturday

January 31st, 2023
<strong>FAMU Recruiters Attract Hundreds of Students at LA Black College Expo</strong>

FAMU Recruiters Attract Hundreds of Students at LA Black College Expo

January 31st, 2023
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by the FAMU Office of Communications.


Timeline
Feb 3rd 5:22 PM
News

FAMU Hosts Awarding Winning Journalist  Soledad O’brien for Black History Month Conversation

Jan 31st 5:17 PM
News

FAMU Hosts Regional Robotics Tournament on Saturday

Jan 31st 4:08 PM
News

FAMU Recruiters Attract Hundreds of Students at LA Black College Expo

Jan 30th 6:02 PM
Alumni Spotlight

FAMU President, Students, Staff Tour Kinsey Collection at SoFi Stadium

Jan 26th 9:35 PM
News

FAMU Career & Internship Expo Attracts Over 1,000 Students 

Follow Us!
Tweets by @FAMU_1887
RSS FAMU Sports News
  • Rattlers look for the third consecutive win of the season Monday night
  • Rattlers Fall to Ospreys 4-0
  • Bowling clinches spot for SWAC Championships
  • Meren has double-double in Florida A&M's 76-69 win over Texas Southern
  • Defensive effort leads Florida A&M over Texas Southern 66-55
A&M Magazine Digital Stories
FAMU Videos

FAMU x Los Angeles Black College Expo 2023

FAMU Spring 2023 All Majors Career & Internship Expo

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events.

View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML
Calendar
July 2020
S M T W T F S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Jun   Aug »
Archives
Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Enter your email address to subscribe to our news site and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Us!
Got a Story?

We love hearing from our alumni.  Let us know what you’ve been up to since you left the hill! Contact us here today!

© Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 2019. All rights reserved.
Powered by the FAMU Office of Communications