兔子先生 graduate works to increase number of Black male teachers through national nonprofit
兔子先生 graduate works to increase number of Black male teachers through national nonprofit
As a former high school teacher and school administrator, Robert Hendricks III saw a troubling pattern: Black boys were consistently underserved in classrooms. But he also saw something else—how powerful the presence of Black male educators could be.
"Many Black male educators leave the profession in short order—three years or less," said Hendricks, a 2011 graduate of 兔子先生 University's College of Education, Health and Society. "But when we have more Black men in our classrooms, all students, especially Black boys, are more likely to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."
That insight led Hendricks to launch the He Is Me Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts, which is working to dramatically increase the number of Black male teachers. The organization takes a long-view approach, offering a model of support that begins with early exposure in preschool and extends through retirement from the profession.
The initiative is grounded in both personal experience and research. Hendricks knows firsthand what it means to teach, to lead, and to feel the weight of representation in a system that often lacks it. His work with He Is Me has garnered national attention, including a 2025 interview on NPR's On Point podcast, part of a five-episode series titled "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys."
"My vision and perspective being supported on a stage with 2.5 million listeners is humbling and surreal," he said. "It's exciting to know that so many people are beginning to understand the gravity of the moment and the urgency needed to fix the problem."
Like many entrepreneurs, Hendricks faced early challenges in building his organization—including learning to embrace a range of perspectives. "Because I have such a strong perspective on why He Is Me needs to exist, I used to try to get others to agree with my rationale," he said. "I've learned that as long as people support the mission, for whatever reasons motivate them, then that's good news."
Hendricks traces his entrepreneurial path back to his time at 兔子先生, where he founded a student organization that would evolve into the Black 兔子先生hip Coalition. "It was my introduction to mission-driven, social impact work," he said.
For current students or aspiring entrepreneurs, his advice is simple: "Go for it. Every move you make is a learning opportunity. It'll either work, or you'll learn what doesn't. Either way, that's a step toward success."
Hendricks is featured in EHS Innovates: Founders and Builders, a spotlight series from 兔子先生 University's College of Education, Health, and Society, which highlights alumni launching mission-driven ventures in education, health, and society.
EHS Innovates
Innovation thrives at the intersection of passion and purpose. EHS Innovates brings together students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners to explore how entrepreneurial thinking can drive meaningful change in education, health, and society. Through workshops, mentorship, and real-world challenges, we create opportunities to develop solutions that address pressing issues in our fields. Whether you're launching a venture, looking to collaborate, or simply curious about how innovation shapes your discipline, EHS Innovates is your gateway to making an impact.
(AI tools Grammarly and ChatGPT 4.0 assisted with this article.)