Black Excellence Expo

Brooklyn, New York

In a neighborhood where black and brown children are often left behind, seeing possibilities for their own future is critical.  In a single afternoon, students in the Mary McLeod Bethune/M.S. K394’s Friends of Crown Heights (Friends) After School Program have the opportunity to learn from professionals in careers where Blacks are typically under represented. Since 2020, the mission of the Black Excellence Expo (Expo) introducing students to working professionals who provide role models for potential future career paths.

Ninety-four (94) Middle School Students (Grades 6-8) in the program select careers of interest and have met virtually and in-person with Architects, Engineers, Vets, Pilots, Actors. Fashion Designers, Urban Planners, Authors, Entrepreneurs, Tech Executives, Physicians, Make-Up Artists as well as Banking, Travel and Law Enforcement Industry professionals.  

Using US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, research conducted by universities and media outlets, including, Stamford University, The Washington Post and The Atlantic Magazine and input from Friends’ staff, Juergensen + Associates identified potential careers and speakers. Jay then developed the budget, fundraising strategy and related materials, prepared promotional documents, recruited participants and developed uniform professional profiles.

Working with M.S. K394 Executive Staff, Jay organized and scheduled session, prepared signage for presenters and way finding and coordinated printing, as well as awards and certificates for presenters. He also recruited and coordinated partnership with the Brownsville Brooklyn-based Youth Design Center – a youth creative agency and innovation hub which provides a gateway to learn marketable hard skills – to design an independent logo and image for the Expo.

Leading a professional staff of seven (7), the Expo was conceived by Sherrilee Moore, M.S. K394’s Friends Director. Ms. Moore’s dynamic approach seeks to leverage Bethune’s academic rigor while preparing students not for only their future academic performance, but also allow them to pursue post-secondary education and have successful professional careers. 

She and her staff reach beyond the limitations of traditional publicly funded requirements and benchmarks and seeks to provide significant enhancements that include regular curriculum and topical projects that include financial literacy education. Additional activities include field trips to local, state and national cultural institutions including the Museum of African-American History and Culture, in Washington, DC and the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum in Baltimore.

Eighty percent (80%) of the students are African/Caribbean-American and 15% Hispanic and 5% other and the overwhelming majority are first-generation immigrants.

Jay and Sherrilee have continued a partnership that begin with their work on the Bedford-Stuyvesant Treasure Hunt.