In a recent episode of The Day with Trae, host Trae Holiday welcomed Marcus Harden, co-founder of the Academy for Creating Excellence (ACE), joined host Trae Holiday to discuss his journey in education and the upcoming ACE Scholarship Gala. Harden, who has been in the education field for 24 years, spoke about the creation of ACE, which was founded to support young men of color by providing both academic and social-emotional development opportunities.

ACE, established in 2012 by Harden and fellow educators Clarence Dancer Jr. and Willie Seals III, focuses on helping African American, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander males. Harden highlighted the importance of mentorship, his personal journey as an educator, and his experience as an adoptive parent to six former students. His work is centered on addressing the gaps in traditional education, especially the lack of Black male educators, and creating thriving environments for students.

Harden also shared his experiences in designing schools and fostering youth development, including launching a unique basketball academy in Atlanta. He has brought that experience back to Seattle, continuing to innovate through ACE programs like the Black Male Educator Institute and initiatives that focus on mental health and workforce development.

The upcoming ACE Scholarship Gala, themed Harlem Nights, will be held on Saturday, October 19, at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The event aims to raise funds for scholarships and operational support, with the goal of awarding $5,000 scholarships to deserving young men. Harden emphasized the gala’s unique and lively atmosphere, encouraging community members to attend and support the cause.

For more information visit www.aceacademywa.org.

To see more guests like Harden, tune in with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.