KWST BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Mission Statement
KWST Behavioral Development Group is dedicated to increasing educational justice by addressing the disproportionate number of low-income children and children of color receiving special education services in the Twin Cities and beyond.
About This Cause
KWST believes that all children possess inner greatness and the potential to be successful. We seek to ensure school leadership and teachers receive necessary professional development and consultation to address implicit bias within the Special Education evaluation process that often prevents them from seeing the excellence in minority students. KWST establishes collaborative partnerships with individuals, families, schools, local organizations, and government entities. We do this to unify the work of equitable education as a matter of capacity building and sustainability as a means of leaving a legacy of a beloved community for the generations to come. KWST educates minority male students and their parents to develop self-awareness, leadership, and advocacy skills to address critical issues in their schools and communities, break the cycle of negative male socialization, improve academic engagement, and develop a liberated mindset. Proposed Program Narrative 1 (Brief Summary) As a response to the most recent tragedies that we have faced in our nation as well as right here in our state, KWST Behavioral Development Group is now in the process of organizing an additional department entitled Disrupting Dehumanization in an effort to begin to bring healing to our community. Disrupting Dehumanization will consist of two newly established programs. The first program is entitled, Systemic Uprising Day Camps. Partnering with the University of Minnesota, SUDC will have three main demographic targets: Community Members, High school students, and local police. We will invite local police officers as well as local members of the community to participate in a day-long experience aimed at equipping them with actual skills to create a more harmonious community for all! SUDC also offers an incentive for completing the day-long experience. Our purpose is to awaken the liberation and well-being of our communities through skill-based effective advocacy, education, self-determination, mass-mobilization, and the development of new systems that elevate and heal our world. Proposed Program Narrative 2 (Brief Summary) Our next program is entitled "The Freedom Writers" which is a songwriting program developed by KWST Behavioral Development Group along with Grammy-Nominated songwriter, Ruben Studdard. Christopher Ruben Studdard is an American R&B, pop and gospel singer, and actor. He rose to fame as the winner of the second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his recording of "Superstar." In the years following Idol, Studdard has released seven studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful, and the top-selling gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel. He is most well known for his recording career, which has produced hits including "Flying Without Wings," "Sorry 2004," and "Change Me," but he has also segued into television and stage work. Most notably, he starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain't Misbehavin', which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack. Ruben Studdard uses his own songwriting strategies to reinforce life skills, effective communication, and the teaching of absolute worth. This program will focus on youth in grades 6th-12th. This program offers a healthy space to build community and collaboration while focusing on relevant topics of navigation for today’s youth. Ruben Studdard has partnered with KWST Behavioral Group, to provide this program to youth throughout the Twin City Area and beyond. Ruben feels strongly in his belief that music is a powerful influence of culture, and this will be apparent in the structure of the program as youth will be given the opportunity to analyze authentic social issues (historical and current) to guide them throughout the process of writing a song. “The Freedom Writers” also offers as an incentive for completing the weeklong program. In addition to this, “The Freedom Writers” offers skill-based leadership training and communication building activities that will help youth move beyond social barriers—both factual and presumed, toward the realization of an engaged and successful change leader!