S.M.O.O.T.H Inc. Flashcards

S.M.O.O.T.H™ Inc. – Founding and Purpose

  • Founded on October 28th, 2009 at Morgan State University.
  • Incorporated on August 20, 2014, by Jamir Butler and Tevin Smith (Board of Directors).
  • Founders: Dwight Flowers Jr., DaQuan Lawrence, Hakeem Hooker, and Fred Watkins.
  • Mission: To educate, develop, organize, and empower young men.
    • Goal: Improve graduation and retention rates in schools and universities.
  • Vision: To create sustainable social change.
    • Establishing a community and school of thought based on unity and ethics.
    • Target: Collegiate males and at-risk young men facing barriers like poverty, juvenile delinquency, or educational challenges.
  • Objectives:
    • Foster development of adolescent males and young men in schools and universities.
    • Collaborate to educate, develop, organize, and empower young men.
    • Improve character and reputation through quality tutelage.
    • Provide a constructive environment via educational, cultural, civic, and social programs.
    • Offer effort, time, wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, and insight to better the community.

2024-2025 SMOOTH-MSU Officers

  • President: Shaune Payne
  • Vice President: Travis Jones Jr.
  • Chief of Staff: Sharif Munn Jr.
  • Director of Affairs: Lamart Countee Jr.
  • Director of Finances: Aaron Providence
  • Director of Alumni Relations: Terrence Gaskins
  • Mr. SMOOTH: Samuel Fraizer
  • Parliamentarian: Daymar McCoy
  • Community Service Director: Brian Mundy
  • Communications Director: Bryce Barnes
  • Events Coordinator: De’shaun Boyd
  • Historian: Chinomso Nnaka
  • Miss SMOOTH: Aaliyah Walker
  • Miss Empowerment: Kalee Williams
  • Miss Orange & Blue: Tamya Colvin
  • Liaison: Juston Armstrong

Motivation Behind Founding S.M.O.O.T.H™ Inc.

  • Inspired by Morgan State University’s spirit and the declining number of black males in higher education.
  • Conceived in Fall 2008 to uplift young men at Morgan State University.
  • Originally aimed to provide a space for social, ethical, and intellectual growth.
  • Lack of male organizations at Morgan State prior to 2007-09 that didn't perpetuate negative stereotypes.
  • Social status was often determined by factors like grades, sexual preference, and social activity, dividing young men.
  • Dearth of male leaders, positive self-starters, and willingness to help underclassmen.
  • Campus culture influenced males to conform rather than be themselves.
  • Desire to create a platform for implementing their own ideas and serving the campus and Baltimore community.
  • Goal to increase male student leaders and improve graduation and retention rates.
  • Organized diverse young men and fostered mentoring, camaraderie, and empowerment.
  • Shared resources, professional contacts, and male leadership within the organization, university, and community.
  • Extended support, mentoring, and tutoring to at-risk inner-city high school students.

Statistical Data on Black Male Education

  • 45% of black men 25+ have attempted college, but only 16% have a four-year degree.
    • This is half the percentage of white males with a four-year degree.
  • College degree attainment:
    • Black males: 16%
    • Black females: 20%
    • White males: 32%
  • Black-female-to-black-male ratio at HBCUs: 1.75 to 1.
  • July 2012 data:
    • 12.7 million black men (18+) make up 5.5% of the adult population in the U.S.
    • 76.4 million white men (18+) make up 32.7%.
  • 2010 census:
    • 1.2 million black male college students comprise 5.5% of all college students.
    • 5.6 million white male students comprise 27%.
  • Enrollment in different types of institutions:
    • For-profit, private colleges/universities: ~140,000 black males.
    • 2-year colleges: ~572,000 black males.
    • Public 4-year colleges: ~355,000 black males.
    • Private not-for-profit, 4-year universities: ~170,000 black males.
  • Morgan State University educates the 13th highest number of black males at four-year universities.
  • Highest black male enrollment (single institutions):
    • University of Phoenix-Online Campus and Strayer University (27,258 undergraduates, 7,725 graduates).
    • Central Texas College (2-year): 7,397 black male students.
  • Miami Dade College: 7,129 black male students (more than any public 4-year university).
  • Top public 4-year universities for black male enrollment (after Miami Dade):
    • University of Maryland-University College
    • Florida A & M University
    • North Carolina A & T State University
    • Troy University (AL)
    • Texas Southern University
    • CUNY New York City College of Technology
    • Florida State College at Jacksonville
    • Prairie View A & M University (TX)
  • These top 10 universities enroll ~40,000 black males.
    • Five are HBCUs.
  • Other HBCUs in the top 13:
    • Jackson State University (MS)
    • Southern University and A & M College (LA)
    • Morgan State University (MD)
  • Top 10 private not-for-profit, 4-year universities for black male enrollment:
    • Excelsior College (NY)
    • Columbia College (MO)
    • Morehouse College (GA)
    • Liberty University (VA)
    • Howard University (DC)
    • Saint Leo University (FL)
    • Park University (MO)
    • Webster University (MO)
    • Nova Southeastern University (FL)
    • Hampton University (VA)
  • These universities enroll ~25,775 black male students.
  • Ivy League:
    • Harvard University enrolls the most black males (893), with almost half being graduate students (444).