Dr. William M. Patterson, married father of three is
an Assistant Visiting Professor in the Afro American Studies
and Research Program at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Patterson's work concentrates on
linking the academy (higher education institutions) with
public schools, corporate America, and social service
organizations such as the Urban League, YMCA'S and Boys
and Girls Clubs. "My biggest concern," says
Dr. Patterson, "is the disconnect of the current
educational law 'No Child Left Behind' and those that
it is supposed to serve and benefit."
Partnerships and collaborative relationships are not
new to Dr. Patterson. From programs such as Cyber Club,
Nature's Playground, B.E.S.T., and First String, Inc.
Dr. Patterson has been able to demonstrate the significance
of educational and social development partnerships to
enhance the educational awareness and social responsibility
of at-risk students.
Dr. Patterson is known on a national level for developing
innovative ways to reach students both educationally and
socially. He has been keynote speaker, researcher, program
developer, and youth trainer for the past ten years at
National Urban League, NULITES Youth Summit, Indianapolis
Circle City Frontiers, Inc., and a host of public schools
and youth serving organizations around the country. Dr.
Patterson is a strong advocate for teaching youth how
to take control of their multi-media image. By developing
programs such as B.E.A.T.S. (Bridging, Education Arts,
Technology, Scholastically), Rhyme Clinic, and All Girlz
Radio, many youth have been empowered to get involved
in the mechanics of taking control of their life information
as well as their social image.
Dr. Patterson's philosophies on advocacy through education
have extended well beyond the elementary and secondary
level. From developing and teaching courses with progressive
pedagogy such as Service Learning from a Hip Hop Perspective,
Black Leadership Development, and KRS-ONE: Hip Hop Artistry
and Social Activism, Dr. Patterson's methods for reclaiming
today's youth are resonating well with college students
who flock to his courses for dialogue and debate about
how to best address social issues that are plaguing many
of today's youth. Their energy and combined with the interest
amongst faculty about Hip Hop culture has inspired Dr.
Patterson to investigate the development of the Center
for the Study of Hip Hop Culture, a research, teaching,
and service learning initiative that will provide student
and faculty research with a foundation of authenticism
for engaging phenomenon impacting constituents born in
the post civil-rights era.
