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Leading with Purpose: Dr. Fernando Branch's Journey to Building CMOCC
GlobalMindED prides it self in its inclusivity network, connecting and sharing the voices of students and national leaders who are making a difference for good in the world.
Meet Dr. Fernando Branch, the principal of Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy as well as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Colorado Men of Color Collaborative. Dr. Branch is on the board of directos for World Denver and part of GlobalMindED’s K-12 national and Colorado leadership.
Dr. Branch previously worked for 21 years in K-12 education, first as a teacher for 10 years in Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools, and then as a school administrator for another 10 years. He is passionate about the importance of educators and believes that the work can be very rewarding.
Dr. Branch believes that schools can struggle to provide enough support for soft skill development. Using his experience as an educator, Dr. Fernando Branch founded Colorado Men of Color Collaborative. His organization bridges the gap in education for minority young men. They offer opportunities such as internships and college tours to expose students to a variety of options after high school. His work highlights the importance of mentorship in K-12 education.
When asked to share a turning point in his life that sparked his interest in helping others succeed, Dr. Branch answers, "As the most energetic person in the room, no one believed that I had a stage in my life when I struggled with depression. After seeing very little support designed to support men's mental health, I decided to create an organization, the Colorado Men of Color Collaborative (CMOCC) whose core focus is to provide men with SEL support and a community of learners. The Colorado Men of Color Collaborative (CMOCC) seeks to promote brotherhood through community building, corporate partnerships, networking, mentoring and service learning projects. Our goal is to strategically support the development of men by increasing social mobility, social-emotional well-being, and career advancement."
Dr. Branch added that his exprience with his own mental health exposed the lack of support and systems in place to aid men of color. Stating, "a key moment in my life that led me to where I am today is when I observed that there is a huge void in the healthcare system to provide preventative support for Men's Mental Health and Awareness."
Aside from his personal exprience with mental health, Dr. Branch credits his family and community for his passion to serve. Dr. Branch states, "My passion to serve comes from my parents. ‘Each one, Teach one’. A community that grows together serves everyone together."
In an interview with Dr. Joseph Williams from MyK12Career Show, Dr. Branch states, "it takes a village," as he spoke about supporting black and brown students and families. Highlighting the important role schools and community programs play in the social mobility of students and families.
When asked to define success, Dr. Branch shares, "Success to me is living life the right way. To have a purpose that you walk in every day brings joy and balance to an ever-changing world. That balance allows me to show up as the best version of myself to my family, peers, and community. That's the only success that really matters!"
Dr. Branch is among the many leaders part of GlobalMindED's inclusive success network. Dr. Branch shares, "GlobalMindED is helping me reach my goals by supporting my two great passions: Education K-12 & Men's Health and Wellness. In supporting STEM careers with Denver Public Schools for thousands of students or working within a community like Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy, partnerships like these are changing the way stakeholders think about education, career readiness and deliver outcomes for students. Efforts like this are creating new, innovative, and exciting opportunities to move use forward as a nation. I'm honored to work with others to lead us forward as part of the #GlobalMindEDcommunity."
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