2 Young Black Educators. 100 Students of Color: From Worst-to-First
(Left, Chris Sain Jr. Right, Andre Fields)
Chris and Dre
Even in 2016, it is still rare to see two men of color who
do what they do, working in higher education. Although the two couldn't be more
different, there are many things Chris & Dre have in common. For instance,
they both come from humble beginnings. They both graduated from Ottawa Hills
High School, located in Grand Rapids, Mich. and they both have humble, laid
back personalities. Nearly ten years apart in age, they are two professionals
who have become more like brothers due to a shared focus and passion for
helping students achieve.
Underneath their blazers and tailored fitted shirts, they
are both athletically built. However, despite their athletic builds, Dre, at 6'
2" is un-athletic while Chris, who is 5' 9" is athletically gifted
(Dre has great genetics and the build of a world class athlete). At any given
time, Chris and Dre can be found going over and beyond for a student or putting
together the next prezi to present to the men of Alpha Beta Omega. There is
always work to be done when trying to meet the unique needs of community
college students. Often times working into the late evening hour, Chris and Dre
knows the importance of their work and what they mean to students of color on
campus. They also understand they have a chance to do something special,
something that has never been done before in education with helping the most
challenged and underperforming students go from worst to first.
In 2012, after data indicated that African American males
attending Grand Rapids Community College were statistical leaders in every
category of failure, Alpha Beta Omega (ABO) was birthed as a response to the
stark reality. ABO, a leadership development program was spearheaded by Dr.
Andre Fields, Eric Williams and Chris Sain Jr.
ABO is where the bond grew. Chris and Dre, two individuals
with innate skills and abilities that cannot be taught, began working and
recruiting to find students of color and learn about their story. As educators,
it is irresponsible to rely solely on numbers, on the data provided because
data never tells the story of these students of color and the unique obstacles
impeding their academic success. Chris and Dre set out to hear reasons why they
were not succeeding in the classroom and reminds each and every student that is
part of ABO, that "there is nothing that they are teaching, that you can't
learn." Chris and Dre do not accept excuses from students. After all, they
both come from the struggle and know the struggle better than most people in
education.
Chris is the Coordinator of Retention. Dre is an Assistant
Professor and Counselor. As two of the most familiar faces on campus to
students of color, they both interact with hundreds of students on a regular.
Most minorities in education can attest. All students of color in some way or
another makes their way to the office of the few professionals of color working
on campus. After a while, you begin to understand, it comes with the territory.
Chris and Dre also quietly and humbly spends an ample amount
of time with students off campus, outside of school; Service Learning Projects,
Community Outreach, Basketball and Cookouts among other things. They both believe
it is important to expose students, low income students, urban students, LGBTQ
students, first generation students, etc. to different things. Let them see
what is attainable if they are willing to work for it. The exposure is even
better with Chris and Dre as tour guides. Students relate to them. Students
want to be around them, they hang on every word they say. Chris and Dre strike
a perfect balance with students. They surrender the one-up relationship and
meet students where they are at. Seen as "cool" by most students
mainly because neither, Chris or Dre hide behind labels or titles, despite how
accomplished they both are individually. They are unapologetically real and
authentic with students. On the contrary, Dre is a jokester. In another life,
it is believed that he'd have a career as a comedian. Most students love to
joke around and have fun...and so does Dre. Chris is smooth, well dressed,
quiet and laid back. He is always showing genuine love to students and a
sincere interest in what they have to say as well as pouring wisdom into
students as they naturally gravitate toward him. Students open up to Chris
about everything you can imagine from relationships, microaggressions they
experience in the classroom and on campus to sports and Chris has a powerful word
for students regardless of the topic. "I understand that for most students
of color, I am the most consistent black man they have ever seen in their
life." "Therefore, my door is always open for students to come and
talk, says Chris."
Chris and Dre in addition to their roles as educators are
both published authors of two books of each.
Chris Sain Jr, a devoted husband, social media influencer
and Vice President of the NAACP-Grand Rapids, is a best-selling author
(Washington Post and Amazon Top 100) and speaks regularly in a paid capacity at
colleges and universities, prisons and detention centers as well as to young
professional athletes. Also a social entrepreneur and businessman, Chris is the
Co-Founder and CEO of Grand C.I.T.Y. Sports, Inc. a community driven 501 c (3)
nonprofit organization that focuses on at-risk youth by emphasizing education
through sports.
Chris Sain Jr. a former Division I Athlete (Michigan State
University) earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Clinical Social
Work (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) from Saginaw Valley State University and
Wayne State University respectively.
Dr. Andre Fields who is simply known as "Dre" to
the students, is a husband and father of three children. He earned his
Associate's degree from Grand Rapids Community College, his Bachelor's degree
from Grand Valley State University his Master's degree from Western Michigan
University and his Doctoral degree from Western Michigan University.
Dr. Dre currently serves as a Counselor and Assistant Professor
at GRCC. Andre’s primary research interest relates to psychosocial factors that
impact the Academic Achievement of African American males. Andre believes that
counseling is an effective platform for producing within an individual: a
system of thinking, feeling, and behaving that will empower a person to
overcome the personal, familial, and societal challenges they may be
encountering on their life journey. Dre, founder of ABO also speaks and
facilitates workshops for students and educators at colleges and universities.
For more info about Chris & Dre follow them on Social
Media:
For more info about ABO, click here
For copies of Chris & Dre's books visit:
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