Increasing Black Male Educators: Cornell Ellis on Representation & Systemic Change
By Lana Reid | December 21, 2022
As part of the Black Men Matter Series, Lana Reid sits down with Cornell Ellis, executive director of Brothers Liberating Our Communities (BLOC), to discuss increasing the number of Black male educators and addressing systemic barriers within education. Cornell shares how representation in classrooms impacts students, schools, and communities, and why intentional recruitment, retention, and professional development strategies are essential to long-term educational equity.
In this episode of The Male Perspective, Cornell Ellis provides an in-depth conversation on education, representation, and systemic change.
Cornell explains how the lack of Black male educators affects student outcomes, school culture, and community trust. He discusses how representation matters not only for Black boys, but for entire learning environments, helping students experience diverse leadership, mentorship, and perspectives within the classroom.
Throughout the conversation, Lana Reid and Cornell explore the mission of Brothers Liberating Our Communities (BLOC). Cornell shares how BLOC works to recruit, develop, and retain Black male educators through leadership training, mentorship, and professional support. He emphasizes that addressing teacher shortages requires both systemic reform and community-centered solutions.
The discussion also highlights the challenges Black male educators face, including isolation, bias, and lack of institutional support. Cornell underscores the importance of creating pipelines that support educators from entry into the profession through long-term career sustainability. He stresses that increasing Black male educators is not a symbolic effort, but a strategic investment in student success and community stability.
This episode reinforces the importance of equity, access, and representation in education, and calls for intentional efforts to dismantle barriers while building pathways for future educators.
About the Guest
Cornell Ellis is the executive director of Brothers Liberating Our Communities (BLOC), an organization dedicated to increasing the number of Black male educators nationwide. His work focuses on recruitment, leadership development, and systemic change within K-12 and higher education.
For more information on Cornell Ellis:
https://www.theblockc.org/
https://www.instagram.com/bloc.kc/
https://www.facebook.com/BLOCkcmo/
https://www.youtube.com/@theblockc2524
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornell-ellis-1b968083/
About the Series
This episode is part of the Black Men Matter Series, highlighting Black men who are educators, advocates, and leaders working to create equitable systems and lasting change in education.
About the Host & Organization
The Male Perspective is hosted by Lana Reid, founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.
Conversations in Color’s Current Initiatives
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The purpose of The Male Perspective is to dispel stereotypes and increase awareness of the experiences of Black men through open discussions, thought-provoking interviews, and the sharing of personal experiences that highlight the diversity and depth of the Black male experience.
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Sistas Rebuilding Sisterhood is an intergenerational community of Black women who come together for relaxed, non-judgmental gatherings to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate in a collective effort to improve the quality of sisterhood interactions in everyday life.
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