With the assistance of student ambassadors and in-service black educators, The Southern Nevada Black Educators Initiative will engage in important dialogue with Black communities to promote and improve the perception the teaching profession by reintroducing students and families of color to the possibilities of rewarding teaching careers in the Clark County School District . Community engagement will consist of: college fairs, job fairs, school visits, intimate group workshops and webinars.

The Amplifying Black Voices Critical Mentorship Program (ABV) is a partnership between UNLV's College of Education, the Southern Nevada Black Educators Initiative created to support and retain the college's Black students while offering a safe, affirming and free space for them to thrive. The critical mentorship program challenges the way we have historically engaged black pre-service teachers in Nevada’s higher learning education programs by providing a welcoming and culturally affirming experience to Black students while ameliorating the academic and socioeconomic challenges often faced by Black students enrolled in the college.

In order to diversify Southern Nevada’s workforce, it is imperative we recruit Black students to the education profession as aggressively as higher education institutions recruit Black students to athletic programs. SNBEI representatives will collaborate with participating school districts to schedule bi-annual high school visits that will consist of meeting with school administrators and licensed staff to identify additional Black students who have demonstrated strong academic strengths, creative talents or interpersonal skills.

Incoming college freshman and in-service educators may be eligible for merit and academic based scholarships that may cover up to 4-years of the qualified students tuition fees and living expenses. Students receiving 4-year scholarships will be eligible to receive stipends offered for participation in SNBEI student based research work groups and the student ambassador program.

SNBE offers advocacy, training and professional development.

We are currently preparing for the 2023 Nevada Legislative session. We work year around to advocate for policies and amendments that directly impact black educators and black students. We will attend legislative sessions, work with legislators and local officials to enhance the effectiveness of the program.