Austin residents, education advocates and community leaders will discuss the systematic criminalization of male students of color in Central Texas schools at the Community Engagement Center’s Front Porch Gathering event Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. at Gus Garcia Middle School, 7414 Johnny Morris Road.

The event, co-hosted by the Greater Austin Area My Brother’s Keeper Initiative (GAAMBK), will explore the localized efforts to disrupt discriminatory practices within Central Texas K-12 schools. Speakers and group facilitators will also discuss ways to increase and support programs and resources for at-risk Black and Latino students. An interactive and exploratory workshop will be led by Dr. Leonard Moore, interim vice president for diversity and community engagement and GAAMBK chair; and Dr. Paris Grady, associate director of the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center at Prairie View A&M.

The event is free and open to the public. A catered dinner will be provided.

More about the Front Porch Gatherings: Hosted by the Community Engagement Center, a unit within the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, the Front Porch Gatherings represent UT’s open door to the Austin community, providing time and space for community collaboration. Designed to activate more than just dialogue, the gatherings connect UT Austin research and resources with community members and organizations. The monthly gatherings work to address issues of equity, disparity and access through active engagement.

More about the Greater Austin Area My Brother’s Keeper Initiative: The GAAMBK was kicked off on March 8, 2015 at SXSWedu. This initiative is a collaboration among City, County, University and other organizations within the Greater Austin community working to enhance the health, well-being and prosperity for boys and men of color.