Assault on Illiteracy Success: Mu Nu Celebrates GBTLA’s 20th Anniversary
By: Bro. Troy K. Manigault, Chapter Reporter, Mu Nu Chapter
Mu Nu Chapter, Montgomery County, Maryland celebrated the 20th anniversary of the George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc. (GBTLA), on October 17, 2006, at the Marriott North Bethesda Hotel & Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, with some 300 family, friends and supporters of the acclaimed assault on illiteracy program in attendance. The highly successful and accomplished program was the vision of Mu Nu Chapter’s own Bro. George B. Thomas Sr., PhD. Ed (Xi Psi, 1950, South Carolina State University).
Mu Nu Chapter founded a tutorial and mentoring program called the “Saturday School” in 1986 out of a single room at the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) in Olney, Maryland. It was established to help address the achievement gap that existed among African American students in the county compared to that of other county students. Through the enthusiasm and perseverance of Mu Nu Brothers, as well as key support from African American leaders in the community, the Saturday School program continued to grow over the past two decades. The programs success led Mu Nu to incorporate the initiative as a non-profit organization under the GBTLA name in recognition of, and high esteem for, Bro. Thomas’ vision and dedication.
GBTLA’s 20 years of service is without question a significant milestone when considering all of the predecessor and successor tutorial and mentoring programs that have tried and failed to take hold in the county – none lasted more than two years. And yet, the humble beginnings of GBTLA can perhaps be best measured in terms of its contributions to the academic and social well being of the students it served and those it continues to serve, as well as to the parents of those students that it uplifts. What began in a single room of a small building in 1986, with approximately 20 volunteers and 20 students, has since taken root and thrived where it now serves more than 3500 students in grades 1 through 12, from more than 130 area schools and centers established at 12 county high schools. GBTLA’s 2005 program budget was just over $1.5M in grant money, which enabled parents to secure tutorial services during the school year at an incredibly reasonable rate of just $15 per student. Each center also has its own dedicated Center Director and staff of volunteer tutors and professionals. And further still, many of the former GBTLA students who are now in college or who have since graduated are now bridge builders providing their own time back to GBTLA as tutors and mentors to those who follow.
GBTLA’s accolades are many and include recognition from the County’s Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools, the County Executive, the Governor of Maryland, and even the White House. Notable attendees at the GBTLA 20th Anniversary Gala included the Superintendent of Schools, the County Executive-elect, as well as Rep. Chris Van Hollen of the U.S. House of Representatives (Maryland). The program continues to be recognized for its success in focusing on core academic subject areas with low tutor-to-student ratios and mentors that achieve results. The free program is aligned with County curriculum, includes all materials, and even employs certified and experienced teachers who have contributed to a 70 percent success rate for students who meet or exceed their math and reading levels upon finishing the program. Bro. Thomas was quoted as saying in an October 2006 Gazette interview (Gazette.com, October 27th, by M.J. Brachfeld), “If we can plant that seed and nurture it through to fruition, then we have achieved a mighty thing for humanity.” GBTLA has indeed done that over the past 20 years as it pursues the next 20.
Mu Nu Chapter was chartered May 23, 1970, in Rockville (Montgomery County), Maryland.
Photo: Brothers pose for a group photo at the GBTLA 20th Anniversary Gala in Bethesda, MD.