Our best selves aren’t being blasted on the news every night, nor are we seeing that in the media we choose to consume. We asked Dr. McBryde, a man who spent time with young people at Clayton County Public Schools, to answer just why Black men aren’t championed more positively in popular culture. He said, “We are a threat. Due to our innate greatness, the outside world looks to demonize us or only highlight negative images to dispel the idea that we are the strongest force in this world.” With that said, Thomas believes that those facts empower our detractors to spotlight the accomplishments of doctors, lawyers, or educations who are making a daily difference “and seek to only focus on athletes or rappers” who only show one small side of who we are.
Dr. Thomas McBryde Jr., a man full of strong character and gumption for imbuing black people with education, sees his own impact within the African American community as “a calling”. “I seek daily through my work to instill hop, create opportunities, inspire greatness, and equip my students with the skills needed to go out and achieve their dreams. If kids are provided a quality education, there is nothing the world can withhold from them, so I seek to make it a reality everyday by holding expectations for everyone responsible for their education.”
As a BE Modern Man, Dr. McBryde exhibits strength, resiliency, fortitude, and a true commitment to excellence. For him, he see the opportunity as a distinction, which defined by him means “to be a person progressive and assured of himself and his abilities to achieve any goals set for one’s self.” A curious man, who escaped abject poverty, drugs, and street life, evolved to help others do the same — in the end becoming his best self and an example of what possibility and positivity can create.
Dr. Thomas McBryde Jr., a man who prides himself on getting the best results out of his teachers and students, earned his reputation through grit, determination, and support from others. From instilling a mindset into the principals of New York City to encouraging the young to reach for the stars — Dr. McBryde represents the passion and desire for higher learning that we as a people possess that proves our normal is truly extraordinary.
We here at Black Enterprise salute you, Dr. Thomas McBryde Jr., for contributing positive images of African American culture to the masses. Your mission of educating and enlightening our young and old frames us in an enthusiastic light, and is meant to be celebrated and appreciated.
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