Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ian Thomas-Minor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ian , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

Education is a business and one of the only businesses where the end user which are the students get no real say in the product they are given. Systemically most students of color attend PWI’s where they do not  see themselves in any leadership roles as it pertains to administration, that’s a problem. There is a push for educators of color but those educators usually get mis treated taken advantage off and or tasked with occupying a space of discipline rather then mentorship.

First I think PWl’s need to ask themselves is equity really attainable when historically education in America was never equitable! Brown vs Board of Education was a chess move and the move in itself was not equitable to any of the students or educators involved.

Yet if I’m being honest public education has not evolved much since then. I also think the safeguards need to be adjusted in ways that weed out those unsavory predatory teachers before they ruin young lives. Just one teacher like this through the course of there career can impact up to 80 students. Creation of more clear concise teaching about Grooming to students and how to avoid or at least the ability recognize the behavior while being comfortable and confident to seek out help and support.

Old leaders need to be replaced with new blood, with new visions. Those same leaders need to possibly retrained and stationed throughout the school ecosystem to help new leadership avoid some of the pitfalls they have encountered during there time on the  job. Leadership is not a position but a process and a process that is about submission to duty not elevation of power.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Connective, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that empowers youth with the critical skills needed to achieve life success. The non-profit connects with youth through custom, student-driven campaigns and curated Connective Culture Clinics with the goal of enabling students to reach their full potential. Connective, Inc. partners with schools, non-profits, and community centers to reach underserved youth across the U.S.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Work rate, Work rate, Work rate! We are the most authentic in education! We say that and we lead with action. We aimed to create retention and scalable Impact. We empowered our people with information, while curating a road map accessible to any and everybody we came into contact with. We where thoughtful and creative with our messaging, we changed thing to optimize engagement. We lead with our failures not our success because we all can find a commonality in failure from all walks of life. We went cross country, we went to prisons and youth detention centers. We partnered with the NBA and other leaders in industry to expand our reach and teach, but most importantly we comfortable being uncomfortable! We are on the frontlines at all time with a soul goal to empower any and everybody we come into contact with.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

You have to know your worth or others will determine it for you. I occupied a space for a very long time where I allowed my self worth to-be determined by people who could never do what I do. I got complacent and fooled by the worth I was told I had. I was being lead by people who struggled with not only leadership but empathy and compassion. I had to pivot from a place of grace to a space of action even if I would be labeled outside my actual character and ability.

I had to be clear on who I am not to get lost in what others mite want to paint me as while being a voice for those who have not yet found the courage to speak for themselves.

So the pivot is excepting I am here to change lives even it makes people uncomfortable. I’m ok with that and I’ve decided not to duck any smoke as it pertains to empowering the youth and decoding the messages the world throws at us in a way that lights the way for those following my/our lead

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.ConnectiveInc.org
• Instagram: @connectiveinc @battleinthebluffs @ESHClassic
• Linkedin: IanThomasMinor
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@connectiveinc.non-profit6506

Image Credits
Ariel Weekes Andre Clarke Tamar Samuels Baidy Hanne Photo Credit ~ Joseph Dominkowitz