Podcast Summary: Black Entrepreneur Experience – Episode 453
"Black Men Teach, Markus Flynn ~ Innovative Thinker"
Host: Dr. Frances Richards, Chief Encouraging Officer
Guest: Markus Flynn, Executive Director, Black Men Teach
Date: January 15, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Dr. Frances Richards sits down with Markus Flynn, Executive Director of Black Men Teach, a nonprofit committed to increasing the number of Black men in elementary education—especially in Minnesota, a state struggling with some of the country's largest achievement and representation gaps. Markus shares his journey from aspiring epidemiologist to education leader, the barriers Black men face in the teaching profession, and the innovative supports his organization has developed. The conversation centers on the life-changing power of representation, the importance of targeted, holistic support, and actionable ideas for supporting Black boys and future educators.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Markus Flynn’s Path to Purpose (00:59–05:53)
- Career Pivot & Mentorship: Markus recounts how his mentor’s advice—"If you can intersect your passion and your talent, that's how you find your purpose"—guided him from public health to teaching.
- Data-Driven Decision: Realized the outsized impact of education on quality of life, noticing that educational attainment consistently explained health disparities more than vice versa.
- Influential Study: Cites research: “If you have one Black teacher by third grade, a Black student is 13% more likely enroll in college… Two Black teachers, that 13% goes all the way up to 32%.” (03:17)
- Move to Minnesota: Chose Minnesota specifically for its stark Black-white achievement gap and lack of Black male teachers, viewing this as a place to have maximum impact.
The Structure and Need for Black Men Teach (05:53–09:35)
- Why Black Men? Explains the acute underrepresentation of Black men in elementary education—less than 50 Black men teach elementary in Minnesota.“We have a saying in our organization that 'Black boys drop out of fifth grade and walk out in 10.' By the time you get to fifth grade, you’ve already disconnected.” (06:39)
- Proof of Concept Model: Advocates for a tailored, focused approach: “Within this group of non-white teachers, there’s a need for a very specific, tailored approach… you can be really well adapted to your audience.” (08:07)
- Goal: To serve as a model for scaling Black male teacher recruitment and support.
Daily Impact and Wraparound Support (09:38–10:57)
- In-Classroom Presence: “Having a Black male classroom teacher is one of the most impactful things. No one spends anywhere near as much time with kids as teachers do—not even parents.” (09:45)
- Direct Supports: Debt relief, mentorship, professional development, instructional coaching, and even facilitating homeownership through Habitat for Humanity partnerships.
Organizational Inspiration – Harlem Children’s Zone (11:06–13:08)
- Markus lauds Harlem Children’s Zone as the gold standard: “They put a K-12 school in the middle of housing projects, take high proportions of Black and low-income students, and achieve 90–100% proficiency and graduation rates.” (11:31)
- Demonstrates the power of targeted, holistic interventions in education.
Influential Educators and Mentors (13:11–16:09)
- Favorite Teacher: The late Rita Pierson, discovered via TED Talk, for her message: “You can’t teach a child if you don’t have a relationship with them.” (13:26)
- Personal Mentors:
- Dr. Martino Harmon, whose example of “the value of proximity… the power of loving relationships in leadership” deeply influenced Markus’s approach.
- Markus’s childhood mentor, who gave the core advice about passion, talent, and purpose.
Challenges, Wins, and “Zone of Genius” (16:13–18:42)
- Advice Not Followed: Wishes he’d stuck with Spanish and learning instruments—"I’d love to have both those skills. And I do not." (16:41)
- Strengths: Persistence, conviction, and discipline—"If I can have a clear vision... I will increment something out daily, and I will get it accomplished for the most part." (17:18)
- Recent Win: The renewal of their student loan debt elimination program for classroom teachers—“No matter how much debt they have, we’re taking it away over five years.” (18:22)
Reflections on Imposter Syndrome and Leadership (26:03–27:57)
- Unexpected Leadership: Felt unprepared and succumbed to imposter syndrome at first—"I vividly remember the moment... I got excited, and then in 45 seconds, I'm sitting on the ground like, well, they made a mistake." (26:06)
- Channelled doubt into hard work, balancing teaching and organizational leadership through pandemic constraints.
Deep Advice: Raising Black Boys (21:07–24:26)
- Foundations: “The foundation of raising a healthy child is love… Black boys, Black children have to be historically informed.” (21:17)
- Critical Thinking and Voice: Emphasizes historical awareness beyond enslavement, learning about Africa's contributions, and instilling a sense of possibility and self-advocacy—"A Black child needs proximity role models… not just want to be the LeBron James or Patrick Mahomes, but inspired by the dentist down the street or the community leader." (22:41)
- Experience and Exposure: Calls for a well-rounded environment and cultivating leadership within peer groups.
Memorable Monologue: To His Mother (20:07–20:51)
- Heartfelt gratitude: “If you think about the archetype for a mother… that’s her. The person I am today is a direct correlation of the investment you put into me.”
Living Purpose-Driven Lives (28:57–29:38)
- Takeaway for Listeners: “What does living a purpose-filled life look like for you? It’s never too late. The most important thing you can do is live a purpose-filled, aligned life.”
How to Support Black Men Teach (33:33–34:24)
- Needs:
- Amplification—“One of the most helpful things is things like this, amplifying the message, getting in front of as many people as possible.”
- Team-building and recruitment—bringing skillsets together.
- Marketing the teaching profession to make it attractive to young Black men.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Black boys drop out of fifth grade and walk out in 10.” (06:39, Markus Flynn)
- “If you have one Black teacher by third grade, a Black student is 13% more likely enroll in college … Two Black teachers, that 13% goes all the way up to 32%.” (03:17, Markus Flynn)
- “The foundation of raising a healthy child is love.” (21:18, Markus Flynn)
- “No child is unlovable… the only universal language that exists is just love.” (24:47, Markus Flynn)
- “How do you close the gap between our children's potential and their performance?” (28:03, Markus Flynn)
- “It's never too late.” (16:51, Dr. Frances Richards)
- “We do a lot… The mission is in the name. Black Men Teach is very clear, but the depth is not.” (31:38, Markus Flynn)
- “You need more proximate role models… you should aspire to be like the dentist down the street…” (22:41, Markus Flynn)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Markus’s Journey to Teaching & Minnesota: 00:59–05:53
- Why Black Men Teach: 05:53–09:35
- Daily Impact & Supports for Teachers: 09:38–10:57
- Harlem Children’s Zone Inspiration: 11:06–13:08
- Most Influential Educators & Mentors: 13:11–16:09
- Biggest Recent Win – Debt Elimination: 18:02–18:42
- Advice to Parents Raising Black Boys: 21:07–24:26
- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: 26:03–27:57
- Purpose & Audience Takeaway: 28:57–29:38
- Black Men Teach's Work in Depth: 31:38–33:33
- How Listeners Can Help: 33:33–34:24
Rapid Round of Fun (35:33–36:24)
A lighter close, Markus shares:
- Comfort Food: Salmon
- Relaxing Activity: Basketball
- Recent Movie: Gladiator 2
- Favorite Artist: Lil Russell
- Food Always Eaten: Chicken
- Ideal Car: Fuel efficient
- Workout or Couch: Workout
Connect & Support
- Website: Black Men Teach – [Contact and Donate Options Available]
- LinkedIn: Markus Flynn
- Instagram: @blackmenteachtc
- Facebook: Black Men Teach
Final Reflection
Dr. Richards and Markus close by affirming the importance of purpose, love, and holistic support in education and personal development. Markus’s story and Black Men Teach’s blueprint for targeted, community-driven intervention offer both practical hope and a replicable model for communities nationwide.