We had the good fortune of connecting with Carlos Grant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I serve in two very unique ways in the Upstate of South Carolina—Principal of Wade Hampton High School (Greenville County Schools) and co-founder of BOLD Leadership Network. I will share with you about both of these organizations, but one has to know about my background that led to them. How did I get here? How is this even possible? Where did time go? Am I really a high school principal? What if people really knew my story? These questions often seep into my mind, usually during quiet moments of reflection. As I have become more aware of my role in this role, I start to realize that I have so many unresolved issues and traumas that have been part of my life. I try to force myself to remember my childhood and pull together pieces of my life that sometimes feel fractured. I never could quite pinpoint why it was so hard to do this, but I am left to believe that part of me really does not want to make the connection.

My earliest memories as a boy go back to the hard but nurturing sights and sounds of Allen Benedict Court (ABC) in Columbia, South Carolina in the 1980s. ABC was a public housing project and one of the nation’s oldest until 2021. Over its 80-year history, it went from a thriving community to a gradual demise all too often seen from the United State federal government’s failed efforts to deliver on the promise of decent affordable housing. These memories vacillated back and forth from happy images of playing for hours with friends to recollections of feeling terrified by my father’s drunken rage.

As I reflect on my journey as an educational leader, I’m reminded of the profound impact of mentorship and the transformative power of service. Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, raised by a single, teenage mother, I navigated the complexities of an absent father. Like many young individuals facing adversity, the absence of a strong paternal figure emphasized the importance of supportive mentors in shaping my character and values.

Similarly, several members of BOLD, my esteemed colleagues, faced their own challenges growing up, mirroring the struggles of countless others raised in difficult circumstances. Born to a teenage mother, my journey was marked by hardship. Yet, the presence of supportive figures in my life provided a guiding light through the darkest of times.

The year 2014 marked the first time ever that more students of color than whites were enrolled in American public schools. Yet according to the national data, black male educators make up a mere 2% of the workforce; and in a John Hopkins study (2017), research shows that having just one black educator in elementary school for black males may reduce the risk of dropping out by 39%. Black male educators matter for the aforementioned reasons as well as other significant ones.

BOLD Leadership Network is made up of a collaborative group of black male school leaders that are leading the way in their educational institutions. Our vision is to have BOLD leaders positively impacting every community. Our mission is to provide strategies, partnerships, and programming for Black leaders in education to advance equity and opportunities for all students and communities.

Our shared experiences underscore the transformative potential of mentorship and the profound impact that educators can have on shaping the lives of young people facing adversity. From our humble beginnings to our current roles as educational leaders in Greenville, SC, our philosophy centers on the belief in the potential of every young mind and the crucial role of mentors in guiding individuals towards service.

We are fortunate to have an array of allies. committed to making a positive impact on the greater community by providing an affinity group for black male educators, expert-level consultancy, teacher retention and recruitment strategies, with a network of support provided through our BOLD Allies. Allies unite themselves with another to promote a common interest. People who are allies are not only helpers, but also have a common interest with those they desire to help. In an alliance, both parties stand to benefit from the bond or connection they share.
A BOLD Ally is an individual or organization who supports in the following ways:

1. Assists in furthering the vision of BOLD
Provides financial and/or in-kind support
Examples of in-kind support include venue space use, relevant resources, professional learning opportunities, advocacy, promotion, etc.

2. Learns alongside the Battle Buddies affinity group. They are Intentional about learning and sharing culturally relevant practices.

3. Participating in workshops, forums, and professional development opportunities
Advocates for the work of BOLD

4. Refer potential prospective allies and prospective Battle Buddies

I wish I could say that we faced no challenges bringing this vision alive. Leading as a black male in a very conservative area presents a unique set of challenges. Given the significant underrepresentation of black male educators—constituting only 2% of the workforce—despite the critical impact they can have on students, the stakes are high. In conservative areas, like Greenville, SC, traditional views on race and education have led to resistance against diversity in leadership. We have faced preconceived notions and stereotypes about black men which hinder our acceptance and effectiveness as leaders. We take this on as bold leaders and want to be change agents by challenging and gradually changing these stereotypes, fostering a more inclusive community. By engaging with the community and demonstrating our commitment, we have also slowly building trust and acceptance.

We also witness systemic biases that make it harder for black men to be hired or promoted into leadership roles. I’m all, Black male educators in conservative areas face a complex array of challenges, from isolation and community resistance to high expectations and institutional biases. Despite these hurdles, our role is crucial, offering unique perspectives, serving as role models, and driving necessary change within the educational system. Balancing these challenges with the potential to make significant positive impacts requires resilience, support, and systemic change to foster a more inclusive and effective educational environment.

Website: https://www.boldleadershipnetwork.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldleadershiplc?igsh=aHlndHhtemZrOHAw&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarlosgrant?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/losgrant?mibextid=LQQJ4d

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