THE KING SCHOLARS PROGRAM with Chris Broussard & Tony Dungy

This initiative is inspired by the Biblical account where an Ethiopian man was found reading from the Book of Isaiah in Acts 8. This episode challenges the stereotype that Africans were illiterate before encountering Europeans during the Atlantic Slave Trade. Over centuries of oppression and discrimination, many African Americans have been led to believe that education is not inherent to them. Consequently, African American children, especially boys, who excel in school may face ridicule for “acting white,” while others do not strive to reach their academic potential. This belief contributes to the academic underachievement of many African American boys.

By instituting a reading program, The K.I.N.G. Movement and the Dungy Family Foundation aims to dismantle the notion of “African American inferiority and ignorance” that hinders educational success in schools across America. The program will integrate Christian values and be conducted with local partner churches in key cities using children’s books authored by Tony and Lauren Dungy. Seeing African American men reading to them at a young age can help eliminate the belief that African American men do not engage in reading and education.