Men of Color in Education
The Men of Color in Education (MOCED) Program recruits, develops, and empowers future educators through teacher pipeline initiatives, mentorship, leadership development, research, and strategic partnerships. Together, we are building the next generation of educators who will transform schools and communities.
Building the Next Generation of Educators

Founder & Director
A Message from the Director
Richard Hazel Endowed Professor
Dr. Richard Warren Jr. is the Richard Hazel Endowed Professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Maryland State Teacher of the Year (2019), and Chair of Education Executive Policy for the Moore-Miller Administration. His research examines educator identity, teacher persistence, humanizing school practices, and pathways into the teaching profession, with particular attention to the experiences of Black male educators. Through qualitative inquiry and programmatic innovation, Dr. Warren advances strategies to strengthen teacher pipelines, support educator longevity, and reimagine equitable pathways into the profession.
MOCED was born from a simple conviction: every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the educators who shape their futures. When boys of color are taught by educators who look like them, understand their experiences, and believe in their potential, the results are transformational.
MOCED is a comprehensive educator development, mentorship, and teacher pipeline initiative transforming the educational landscape — one educator, one leader, one community at a time.
The work continues. The mission grows. And the impact is undeniable.
What We Do

Men Achieving Their Dreams in Education
The flagship mentorship and leadership development program supporting undergraduate men of color pursuing careers in education through academic coaching, professional growth, leadership development, and community-building experiences.

HSTU
A dual-enrollment and summer residential experience providing high school students with early exposure to teacher education coursework, college life, leadership development, and mentoring while creating a direct pathway into the teaching profession.

Annual Leadership Summit
An annual regional leadership summit designed to inspire, empower, and equip boys and young men of color through keynote speakers, workshops, mentoring, networking, and educational leadership experiences.

Elementary Mentorship & Literacy
A mentorship and literacy initiative pairing UMES pre-service teachers with elementary-age boys through bi-weekly tutoring, mentoring, social-emotional learning, recreation, and character development.

Professional Educator Network
A professional network of educators, administrators, and advocates committed to increasing the recruitment, preparation, retention, and success of Black and Brown male educators across Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
UMES established the Hazel Professorship, helping launch the Men of Color in Education Program under founder and director Dr. Richard Warren Jr.
Historic gift from Richard F. Hazel designated to support teacher preparation at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Including Caroline, Harford, Dorchester, Somerset, Worcester County Public Schools, and Educational Solutions Company in Columbus, Ohio.
Established with Educational Solutions Company in Columbus, Ohio — MOCED’s first out-of-state dual enrollment partnership.
Students representing multiple Maryland counties participating in dual-enrollment teacher preparation coursework and residential learning experiences.
Connected through the Man the Shore Network to strengthen recruitment, retention, leadership development, mentorship, and professional growth.
Students, educators, community leaders, and partners participating in the inaugural Man the Shore Summit.
Generated through the UMES Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Campaign in support of expanding the Men of Color in Education Program.
Supporting educator preparation, teacher residency, mentorship, leadership development, and teacher pipeline innovation.
Recognized through media coverage, university communications, conference presentations, invited speaking engagements, and community partnerships.
Recruitment
A dual-enrollment and summer residential experience providing high school students with early exposure to teacher education coursework, college life, and leadership development.
A look at the vision, purpose, and student experience behind High School Teacher University.
Explore highlights from the 2026 High School Teacher University cohort, including college coursework, campus life, mentoring, cultural experiences, leadership development, and student growth.



































Annual Leadership Summit
Inspiring, empowering, and equipping boys and young men of color through keynote speakers, workshops, mentoring, and networking.





































Give
Every student deserves access to outstanding educators and meaningful opportunities. Your generosity helps expand teacher pathways, provide scholarships, strengthen mentorship programs, and create transformative experiences for future educators through the Men of Color in Education Program.
Together, we are building the next generation of educators who will positively impact schools, communities, and future generations.
Your gift helps recruit, develop, sustain, and empower the next generation of educators. Every contribution directly supports scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, teacher preparation, and transformative educational opportunities.
Give NowVoices of MOCED

Dr. Warren and the MOCED family invested in me when I didn't even believe in myself. Now I invest in the next generation every single day.
High School Teacher, Dorchester County
Started in Little MADE, returned to UMES as a MADE Man, now teaches on the Eastern Shore.
Scholarly Work
A critical examination of Black education, resistance, and world-making in the contemporary educational landscape.
Read PublicationExamining how Black male educators influence and reform exclusionary discipline practices in schools.
Read PublicationExploring the identity evolution and resistance strategies of Black male educators navigating systemic challenges.
Read PublicationInvestigating how social-emotional learning and mentoring foster mental health and resilience in rural educational settings.
Read PublicationResearch & Sponsored Projects
MOCED contributes to the national conversation on educator diversity through funded research, sponsored projects, and scholarly inquiry.
MOCED Newsroom
Dr. Richard Warren Jr. is serving as a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity (CREEO), collaborating with nationally recognized scholar Dr. Travis J. Bristol on research examining educator identity, teacher persistence, and pathways into the teaching profession.
Dr. Richard Warren Jr. is serving as a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley's Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity (CREEO), collaborating with nationally recognized scholar Dr. Travis J. Bristol on research examining educator identity, teacher persistence, and pathways into the teaching profession.
Mark Your Calendar
Our Network
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Special Thanks
The Men of Color in Education Program is grateful for the leadership, encouragement, and support of Dr. Kimberly Poole-Sykes, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Executive Leadership Team, the Department of Education faculty and staff, and our many school district and community partners whose collaboration continues to strengthen our mission of building the next generation of educators.

Take Action
Join the movement to diversify the educator workforce and transform communities.
Email: rhwarren@umes.edu • Phone: 410-651-7950 • @M.A.D.E_UMES
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