Knock, Knock

Rev. Boise Kimber and fellow ministers plan to knock on doors Saturday not for a voter drive, but to recruit African-American men to set their kids’ sights on college.

Kimber (at left in photo) and fellow ministers said they plan to hit the streets Saturday in Newhallville and Dixwell to spread the word in the African-American community about the city’s college scholarship program, New Haven Promise. The program grants up to free tuition at in-state colleges and universities for city kids who keep up good grades, attendance and behavior at public schools.

Kimber joined the mayor, school superintendent and other partners at Willie C’s Barber Shop Wednesday to announce the canvass. Much as in the kindergarten canvass last month, volunteers will knock on doors of New Haven Public School parents to hand out information and answer questions. They’ll also be encouraging parents to sign up for Parent University, a new parent training program that kicks off on Nov. 3. (To sign up for that, call 203 – 497-7055.)

New Haven Promise spokeswoman Betsy Yagla said the canvass aims to knock on 600 doors Saturday. That would be a major increase from its canvassing efforts last year, which reached 500 doors through several expeditions.

Kimber, president of the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention, said he and Rev. James Newman, of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association, plan to bring out 30 to 35 African-American men for the effort. Volunteers meet at 9:15 a.m. at the Lincoln-Bassett School.

Saturday’s mission will focus on Dixwell and Newhallville; Promise is planning a second canvass in October focusing on Fair Haven and the Hill. Click here to sign up as a volunteer for either event.

“If this community is to succeed, our young people must succeed,” said Mayor John DeStefano at Wednesday’s press event. He said young people need to hear a common message from all adults in their lives that ​“we have confidence in them.”

“I can’t do it alone, teachers can’t do it alone,” said schools Superintendent Reggie Mayo. ​“We need your help.”

Mayo revealed that he gets his hair cut by Willie Mewborn, who owns the barber shop. He proclaimed him ​“the best barber in America.”

After the press event, two city officials — Economic Development Officer Clay Williams and deputy parks Director Bill Dixon (pictured), sat down to get a trim from Mewborn and his son, Billy.