M.A.L.E. Initiative: Larenz Tate Empowers

Actor Larenz Tate joins Alabama A&M's M.A.L.E. Initiative Week, empowering Black male educators and community leaders.

Actor Larenz Tate is participating in Alabama A&M University’s M.A.L.E. Education Initiative, mentoring the next generation of Black male educators and community leaders.

Present at the famed HBCU on Tuesday, February 20, Tate engaged in a panel discussion inspiring young men of Alabama A&M to bridge the gap among Black male educators.

“Larenz Tate, we are very happy to have him here with us to speak to our Kings because he is one. He has had a very successful career, and I hope that he is able to inspire our young men,” shared Jessica Brown, Alabama A&M Leadership Development director.

Tate’s involvement in the M.A.L.E. initiative is part of the school’s mentorship program launched in 2017. This year, M.A.L.E. expanded to include a week of events titled “Kings on the Hill,” featuring workshops, worship services, and athletic competitions.

With a goal of combatting Alabama’s achievement gap among Black male educators, Alabama A&M University aims to improve data that shows black male teachers only make up 4% of the state’s workforce.

“We need our young men to be in the classroom and teaching our younger students what they can aspire to be,” Brown emphasized.

Mckelton Johnson, a native of the Bahamas and a junior at Alabama A&M, aspires to become the prime minister of his country. The M.A.L.E. initiative is helping set him on a path to accomplish his career goals.

“I don’t like to just talk about it. I want to go ahead and do the work and so, I see the Prime Minister position as one way to go ahead and do the work,” Johnson expressed.

Johnson, alongside senior business major and aspiring entrepreneur Jakobie Forrest, hosts a weekly program called “Man to Gentleman,” offering advice to younger students. The two also lead the Alabama A&M M.A.L.E. Education Initiative.

“In order for us to inspire the next generation of leaders, inspire the next generation of men, husbands, and fathers in the community, we have to make the sacrifice and take time out,” Johnson highlighted.

The M.A.L.E. Education Initiative runs for six consecutive days, ending on Friday.