Drafting a Better Future

Vocational Education and Black Empowerment

by James J. Hankins –

Vocational Education is practical, job-focused training that prepares students for specific occupations, trades, or careers. In the 1960s, when I attended Williston Senior High, my vocational/shop class was bricklaying. We also studied auto mechanics, carpentry, drafting, and other “hands-on” subjects typically offered to boys. The girls took Home Economics, and both boys and girls learned tailoring, typing, and driver’s education together.

Elective classes included band, chorus, art, drama, and French, ensuring that each student had at least one class they enjoyed—and that helped them study hard. That is the main reason we had few, if any, dropouts—we were engaged and motivated.

Sly Stone—who died in June of 2025 at the age of 82—was really singing about education in his 1971 hit song “It’s A Family Affair.” Students must have some lengthy discussions with their parents, school counselors, and one teacher they admire and trust, about selecting the classes they will need to reach most of their goals.

An important note to parents: Your children may not want to follow in your footsteps, even if you own a business. Discuss options like four-year colleges, community colleges, trade schools, military service, and apprenticeship programs with your sons and daughters.

After serving three years in the US Army in Germany, I used my GI Bill benefits to attend NC A&T State University, where I majored in building construction. I moved back home when my father, Edward, had a stroke, and I stayed there caregiving until God welcomed him to heaven. And, instead of becoming a building contractor or construction supervisor, I became a shop teacher at my old high school, Williston. I taught at one other middle school, three high schools, and YouthBuild for the next 34 wonderful years.

I point that out to remind everyone that having a good education can lead in many different directions; nothing needs to be set in stone. So, you need to think about what interests you; what you enjoy doing; whether you like to work alone or as part of a team; whether you prefer quick gratification or long-term project satisfaction.

Homework Assignment

If you choose not to attend college, pick one profession you think you would like and look it up in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, look up some of the others in the book.

Phillip Randolph wrote, “Patriotism has no appeal to us; justice has. Party has no weight with us; principle has. Loyalty is meaningless; it depends on what one is loyal to.”

James Jerome Hankins is an author, journalist, realtor, coach, AFT Union member, former NAACP local president, and Teacher-For-Life.