Before He Was George Floyd - 5/24/2021

 Conversation Overview

Before he was murdered, the world did not really care about who and what Mr. Floyd was. He was an ordinary man, and in the U.S., a black man. In our country, a spotlight is rarely put on black men unless there is a great tragedy or great triumph. The thoughts, feelings, struggles, and joys of everyday black men are rarely shared in open spaces. In this Messy Conversations, Dr. Patrick Jefferson, Mr. Xavier Samuels, and Dr. Scott Thayer will share with you some of the surprising and often competing thoughts that run through the minds of black men through the course of a day.

Dr. Patrick Jefferson currently serves as Director, Student Academic Support Services at Prairie View A&M University. Previously, he has been a Program Director, Faculty Coordinator, Dean of Student Services, Academic Affairs Dean, Vice-president of Instruction, Vice President for Student Development (Affairs/Services), and Executive Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. In addition, he has taught at the post-secondary, K-12, and adult education levels. Dr. Jefferson is very active in his community and speaks regularly about the benefits of education and service. His volunteer activities include serving on the boards of Elevate Collegiate Charter School and the 100 Black Men of Metro Houston.

Dr. Jefferson has Bachelors degree in Biology from Xavier University, holds a Master's of Arts degree in Education Administration from Loyola Marymount University, and completed his doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA). Xavier Samuels, attended the University of Virginia, then transferred to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he graduated in 1996 with a degree in Aeronautical Science. He was commissioned in the Navy and earned his “Wings of Gold” in 1998. While stationed in Oklahoma City he visited numerous schools speaking on the importance of staying in school and perseverance against the odds. In 2005 he joined the Continental Airlines team, and is currently a First Officer on the “Dreamliner” 787 aircraft. He has been very involved in revitalizing the southwest region of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP); serving as both Regional Vice President and Convention Chairman for OBAP in 2007. He received the OBAP Leadership Award in 2007, the Gold Star Award in 2007 & 2015. He has been recognized by his alma mater with the ERAU Alumni Volunteer Award in 2012, and by the City of Houston Community Service Award in 2012. Xavier was also named United Airlines Houston Co-Pilot of the Year in 2016.

Dr. Scott Thayer, has been an advocate for historically underrepresented students throughout his professional career. Dr. Thayer received his doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Southern California focusing on African American male achievement. Dr. Thayer has served in various administrative capacities (Vice President, Dean, Assistant Dean, Director) throughout his career at a number of colleges and universities. Dr. Thayer is an established grant writer and has secured over $5M in grant funding to assist underrepresented students in their pursuit of a higher education. He is a part-time faculty member teaching in the San Diego State University Community College Leadership program and serves on doctoral dissertation committees. Scott W. Thayer has been active in many community and professional organizations, including: Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA), Have Faith, Be Strong (HFBS), the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP), and is a founding member of the non-profit organization African American Male Education Network and Development (A²MEND).