Jeffrey B. Wright
Jeffrey B. Wright | |
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| Born | July 15, 1965 |
| Nationality | American |
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| Known for | Leadership in advancing educational equity and retention among male students of color in higher education |
Jeffrey B. Wright (born July 15, 1965) is an American educator, academic administrator, curriculum developer, and advocate for equitable education. He is known for his work promoting student success and cultural relevance in education, particularly for African American males in higher education. Wright currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Male Student Success Initiative (MSSI) at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) and is the founder of Velocity, an educational program focused on careers in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity for underserved students.[1]
Early Life and Education
Wright was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Frostburg State University and a Master of Education in Reading Education from Towson University. He has also pursued doctoral studies in Urban Leadership in Education at Morgan State University.
Career and Leadership at CCBC
Wright has been instrumental in the development and expansion of CCBC’s Male Student Success Initiative (MSSI),[2] a comprehensive program aimed at empowering men of color through academic support, mentorship, and community-building opportunities. Initially serving as Program Coordinator, he now holds the position of Assistant Director.
Under Wright’s leadership, MSSI has grown to serve approximately 500 students across CCBC’s Essex and Catonsville campuses. The program offers resources such as paid internships, cultural events, and success mentors, contributing to a 74% completion rate among MSSI participants, compared to the college's overall rate of 55%.[3]
Clarity Education Group
From 2013 to 2019, Wright was the Executive Director of Clarity Education Group, a nonprofit organization that provided academic and social-emotional support for students from under-resourced communities. The organization developed literacy interventions, supported placement in magnet and private schools, and trained educators in culturally responsive pedagogy.
Morgan State University
Wright also served as an adjunct professor at Morgan State University, where he taught courses in language, writing, and literacy education. His instruction emphasized critical thinking, urban education theory, and culturally relevant curricula. He is a also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Velocity: AI and Cybersecurity for Youth
Wright is the founder of Velocity, a transformative educational platform designed to prepare Baltimore City high school students—especially those from underserved communities—for careers in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The 30-week dual-pathway initiative offers students hands-on training, industry certifications, mentorship, and exposure to real-world tech environments.[4]
Philosophy and Impact
Wright emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment that mirrors the camaraderie found in fraternities at four-year institutions. He believes that such spaces are crucial for the personal and academic development of male students of color,[5] offering them a community where they can thrive.[6]
Phenomenal Woman Award
In addition to his work in education, Wright is the founder of the Phenomenal Woman Award, an annual recognition celebrating exceptional Black women who have made significant impacts in their communities. Each year, Wright identifies a woman whose achievements embody strength, resilience, and service.
Publications
- ONE MIC: An African American Literacy Curriculum
References
- ↑ "Activist-surgeon honored: Award: Dr. Rose Marie Toussaint, an organ-transplant specialist, is named Phenomenal Woman". The Baltimore Sun. 24 July 1999. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ "MSSI 2023 In Review". Male Student Success Initiative. Issuu. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ "MSSI: A suite of achievement". Community College of Baltimore County. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ "Educator Jeffrey Wright Pioneers Velocity to Bridge the Tech Divide for Baltimore's Youth". Swanodown. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ Lawrence, Kendall Green (6 November 2023). "A program supporting male students of color at a local college gets a boost". WMAR 2 News. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ "Supporting Male Students of Color". CCBC Stories. Retrieved 3 June 2025.