How Baldwin High’s Solomon Ruff is revolutionizing education for Black male students with K.I.N.G.S.

As a young Black male, Baldwin High School senior Solomon Ruff has witnessed firsthand the negative societal views and discrimination directed at people of color.

Studies show that such discrimination can discourage academic involvement from an early age.

In response to these challenges, as a sophomore in 2023, Ruff, 17, founded Knowledge, Inspiration & Nurturing Growth for Success, or K.I.N.G.S., a student-led nonprofit organization created to transform the educational experience for Black male high school students.

Ruff said the organization’s aim is to address gaps in the educational system by providing essential tools and resources that these students are lacking. Through its programs, the organization seeks to expand its impact within the community and foster change by offering these resources to them. Roughly 20 members make up the program at no fee.

Ruff’s observations began during his advanced placement classes, where he highlighted a significant issue. According to the State Education Department’s website, his high school has a student body that is 48 percent Black, with more males than females. Ruff noticed a lack of representation among Black students in these AP classes.

“I was definitely not seeing that representation in a lot of those classes,” he said. “There may have been four of us out of a group of 20. It had me wondering why there isn’t any representation.”

He also noted a general lack of enthusiasm for school among some of his peers.

“Some of my friends didn’t have much care or weren’t enthusiastic about school in general,” Ruff added. “Not that they didn’t care about grades, but it just wasn’t their top priority. I was, you know, a little hurt.”

Thus, the idea for K.I.N.G.S. was born. However, establishing the organization was not without its challenges.

“I sent out a message (on social media) to my Black peers asking if they’d be interested in joining, serving on the executive board,” he said. “There were some people that did not respond or needed some time to think.”

The group’s executive board currently has four members, including Ruff.

In its inaugural year, K.I.N.G.S. awarded a $1,000 scholarship through donations on their website to a senior bound for Yale University and provided a computer scholarship to a student headed to the University of Florida. They also facilitated a tour of Princeton University and hosted a festive holiday gathering for its members.

The organization has also organized virtual workshops aimed at bolstering support for its members, such as assisting members in the college application process and teaching them how to write strong college essays.

Most recently, Ruff collaborated with Jessica Navarro Davalos, CEO of STARS New Jersey, a youth-led free tutoring service that offers English as a second language assistance and college preparation. The program will be available through S.TA.R.S. free of charge to its members.

Broadening its network across Long Island and beyond, the program encompasses members from outside the Baldwin area, including from Malverne High School, Long Island Lutheran, John Glenn High School, Saint Francis Preparatory, Chaminade, Kellenberg Memorial High School, and the Hotchkiss School.

“Social media can have a lot of positive impacts,” Ruff said. “But stuff like K.I.N.G.S. can show that social media can drive change and bring people together because this would not be possible without Instagram or Linkedin.”

Although the organization meets virtually and is not a club within the Baldwin School District, Ruff said he is in talks with high school officials about incorporating the program so that freshmen can benefit from it, even after he graduates this school year.

“This is for students by students,” he said. “That is the slight difference between this and other programs run by school or adults.

“This is all voluntary,” he added. “I feel like if we come together and empower each other, it will give us a brighter future.”