Project Goal: Empower single mothers to provide equitable outcomes for their sons through school readiness, early literacy, and positive self-concept activities. As a community based engagement project, S.T.A.R.S. will create a support system to address education support and advocacy, social and emotional wellness, and financial literacy.
Critical Facts:
§ 70% of African American children are raised by a single mother. A large percentage of these children are male. Often these male children do not have a lot of contact with their fathers.
§ Black males account for 8.62% of total enrollment in the nation's elementary and secondary schools, but account for 21.69% of total expulsions.
§ 42% percent of all Black boys have failed an entire grade at least once.
§ The national average high school graduation rate for Black boys is 47%.
§ Nearly six of 10 children living with only their mother were near (or below) the poverty line.
§ Of the 19 million children of single parents, two thirds live in rented homes.
§ Mississippi has an 11% Black/White Gap in graduation rates
§ Black males have the highest death rate from all causes and highest death rates from cancer, cardiovascular disease and homicides.
§ Black males have the second lowest life expectancy at birth second only to Native American men
Monthly support and engagement meetings are held on Tuesday nights at 5:30 p.m. in the College of Education, Lecture Room 100. Child care services and dinner are provided.
