Black Self Help Information

Black men take time to listen to their younger counterparts

Black men take time to listen to their younger counterparts

RALEIGH - In the gymnasium at the Garner Road Family YMCA on Saturday morning, black men urged their younger counterparts to tell them about the obstacles they face.

Organizers said the conversations would give the older men more insight into what young black men are dealing with in today's society -- and what was needed to help them.

"We want to show compassion," said David Prince, a program director for Food and Nutrition Services, part of the N.C. Division of Social Services. "We want them to know that we're here. We want to spend time with them. The goal is we want to prevent them from building up the jails."a

The program is affiliated with the Triangle High Five, a regional consortium with the goal of getting 100 percent of area high school students to graduate. About 40 men sat and listened to nearly 100 boys and young men talk about barriers to success, including low expectations from others and a lack of role models.

One of the organizers is Orage Quarles III, president and publisher of The News & Observer.

The group now will try to address several of the concerns aired by the young men. Some mentors also suggested assuring the young people that the meeting would not be a one-time thing.

"They need to have that contact so they don't feel like the ball's being dropped," said William Stubbs, an administrative intern at Reedy Creek Middle School, where he is a sixth-grade assistant principal.

Delta Sigma Theta SEE

Delta Sigma Theta Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE)

In 2002, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF), in partnership with the AAAS Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs, began developing and implementing the 5-year Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE) Initiative, an informal science education project funded by the National Science Foundation. The SEE Initiative helps parents and caregivers of African American elementary and middle school age children (K-8) develop effective ways to support children's informal science and mathematics learning experiences.

Another partner in this community-based science effort includes Radio One, Inc., a conglomerate of 51 radio stations in urban and African American markets that served as the broadcast medium for the original Delta SEE Connection. The Delta SEE Connection is a series of interviews with African American role models that are contributors in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

Black pastors join forces to aid community

Black pastors join forces to aid community

Saying they are burying too many young African Americans struck down by violence, some area pastors have launched a campaign to address that and other community problems.

About two dozen pastors have formed the United Black Clergy Association of Seattle to look for solutions to some of the most daunting problems in the black community in areas of employment, economic development and crime.

"Historically, black pastors have been able to give leadership in these areas of our community," Kenneth J. Ransfer Sr., pastor of Greater Mt. Baker Baptist Church and president of the group, said Wednesday.

"We plan to go out into the community, go to the hot spots, and talk to these men and women and love these guns out of their hands."

At a news conference Wednesday, the organization said it is trying to bring to Seattle a national program called Amer-I-Can, a life-management effort founded 20 years ago by NFL Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown to address gang-related violence in inner cities.

Philly's top cop wants 10K black men to patrol streets

Philly's top cop wants 10K black men to patrol streets 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The city's embattled police chief, acknowledging that police alone cannot quell a run of deadly violence, has called on 10,000 black men to patrol the streets to reduce crime.

Sylvester Johnson, who is black, says black men have a duty to protect more vulnerable residents. He wants each volunteer to pledge to work three hours a day for at least 90 days.

"It's time for African-American men to stand up," Johnson told the Philadelphia Daily News, which first reported the story Wednesday. "We have an obligation to protect our women, our children and our elderly. We're going to put men on the street. We're going to train them in conflict resolution."

The program's backers include Dennis Muhammad, a former Nation of Islam official who has been hired by police departments in Detroit, Syracuse, N.Y., and other cities to conduct community-sensitivity training.

Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest city, has nearly 1.5 million residents, 44% of them black. It has notched 294 homicides this year. More than 80% of the slayings involve handguns, and most involve young black males.

Johnson plans to introduce the "Call to Action: 10,000 Men, It's a New Day" program on Oct. 21, three months before his planned retirement.

PhatBack Athletics

PhatBack Athletics

PhatBack Athletics is a Philadelphia based track & field club and mentor program that serves young men between the ages of 13 and 18-years-old. The program is administered by Mister Mann Frisby, who has eight years of coaching experience. PhatBack’s purpose is to develop and nurture the athletic talent of these young men while allowing them to build relationships with highly successful men in various professions. All members are required to attend monthly mentor sessions in which a chosen speaker shares their life experiences. PhatBack athletes train three times a week from April through July and competes mostly on weekends.

In an effort to maintain the quality of the coaching and mentor program, the size of the team will be limited to 25 members for the first two years. After that time an extensive evaluation of the program will be made, and it will be determined whether or not the team should be expanded.

The assistant coach is Angel Patterson, 12 time All-American hurdler. Patterson was a standout sprinter for William Penn High School before moving on to University of Texas at Austin where she broke the school record in the 400 hurdles. (55.50) She currently works as a probation officer for the city of Philadelphia.

It is the founder’s vision that in less than a decade PhatBack Athletics Inc. will be considered one of the finest athletic and academic organizations in the country.

The team motto is: “I am one of many, only opportunity has distinguished me from many….” ---Donny Hathaway.

Goode sounds a call to action

Goode sounds a call to action

What Wilson Goode is preaching these days is the gospel of mentoring disadvantaged children.

Making a difference "Having a loving adult spend one hour with a child every week for a year can change the direction of a child's life," he told me recently in his Center City office.

Goode is well-cast as the erudite elder statesman. A cropped gray beard has replaced the clean-shaven look he sported during his days as the city's first African American mayor. A large crucifix dangling around his neck testifies to the spiritual obligation that compelled him to earn a Ph.D. in theology at 62.

If you're part of Philadelphia's faith community, you've undoubtedly heard of Amachi, the program Goode helped develop that provides mentoring for children with incarcerated parents.

Since its launch in 2000, Amachi has grown to 273 programs in 48 states. Goode has enlisted mentors from more than 50 congregations in the Philadelphia region alone.

Research shows that kids who lack adult guidance are less likely to be able to read, more likely to grow up in poverty, and way more likely to take up a life of crime.
...
"Before you criticize anybody else, what are you doing?" Goode asked. "You can blame slavery and segregation . . . those are all factors. So what? What's your next step?"

Despite all he has done in a life of service, Goode is still haunted by the 1985 MOVE tragedy. His decision to bomb a West Philadelphia house, which led to the deaths of 11 people, including five children, prompted him to seek redemption.

"I promised God every single day he gives me strength that I'm going to do something positive to help a child," he said. "If every African American can make the same commitment, we can turn this thing around."

More at the link

Mister Mann's Men

Mister Mann's Men

THEY ARE THE kids who don't make the headlines — the young black men from Philadelphia's inner city who are crack students, not crack dealers; who hang on the campus, not on the corner; who are living the American dream, not the nightmare.

So when Mister Mann Frisby, 32, who has mentored dozens of the young black men for years as father figure, trusted friend, summer track coach, college guidance counselor, employment agency — you name it, Frisby does it — goes to name-brand social service agencies to ask for financial help for his kids, he gets strange looks instead of cash.

"'They never stabbed nobody?'" Frisby exclaims in mock surprise, mimicking the reaction he got at one multi-million dollar social service agency. "'Nobody got a gun charge?'"

Frisby shook his head. "They have money for adjudicated youth," he said. "They have money for thugs trying to turn their lives around. But they don't have money for decent, intelligent young black men who are striving.

"If my mentoring program was for first-time gun offenders or kids in foster care or kids fresh out of Glen Mills, I'd be rolling in money. They want you to service kids who are 'at risk' or in trouble. They see the kids in my program as fine. So they're forgotten."

More at the link provided.

PeaceOholics

Peaceoholics

Peaceoholics is Non-Profit organization that is committed to the youth and families of the District of Columbia. Through the various activities of Peaceoholics, youth will be transformed into drug-free and crime-free productive members of their communities. Activities include:

• Designing & Operating Youth Programs. In the initial phases, the organization will focus on providing services to youth found involved in the District’s juvenile justice system in an effort to offer programs to serve as alternatives to detention and prevention to entry into the adult correctional system. Programs will focus on a Balanced and Restorative Justice approach and will teach young people to understand the impact of their actions of their community and to offer a means to repair the harm created by illegal activities. In future phases, Peaceoholics will expand programs to include prevention services to include youth at-risk of involvement in the Juvenile Justice System.
• Developing a Network of Peace-Minded Individuals. The Organization will develop a broad national network comprised of the Organization's members and other like-minded persons and organizations. The network will support youth programs, share information regarding peace, health and youth issues and coordinate periodic events for the membership and targeted population. Members of the Board and other volunteers will coordinate such efforts and events. The Organization will also establish sister organizations and affiliates throughout the country and the world to serve a wide and diverse constituency. The goal is to promote peace and change community norms regarding risky behaviors and conflict resolution through peer education. The time volunteered will encourage youth and adults to work cooperatively with other persons throughout the country who are dedicated to education and community involvement.
• Participating in Youth Events Sponsored by Schools, Government Agencies & Non-Profit Organizations. Members of the Board of Directors and community members will join forces to encourage community members, local and national businesses to contribute their time and donations to assist with promoting the Organization's goals. Program staffs efforts may be spent conducting seminars and lectures to various groups and organizing events related to the empowerment of youth. Technical assistance includes the provision of workshops, trainings, and facilitations.
• Training and Workshops. Peaceoholics will reach out to various organizations and institutions providing vocational training and relevant workshops for all willing participants. Areas covered will include life skills, and industry specific coursework in computers training, language based training, and financial management.
• Producing & Distributing Information. The Organization will share multimedia information with the general public regarding healthy and effective means to peacefully resolve conflict and maintain healthy habits. Information may include broadcast messages that target youth. Members of the Board and community members will distribute the information at local events and national conferences relating to peace efforts and youth. The organization will also publish such information free of charge on its web site. In the event a professional writer is hired, such person shall be paid a reasonable fee for such service, which fee will be determined by the Organization's budget priorities, and the nature and complexity of the work.

The Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM)

The Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM)

The Alliance of Concerned Men (ACM) is a nonprofit organization with the goal of saving the lives of “at risk” youth residing in high crime areas of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan community. Since 1991, ACM has been providing community services to families and children at risk and in crisis throughout the Washington metropolitan area. ACM has testified before the United States House of Representatives House Judiciary Committee, and the United States Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families. Since 1991, ACM has been providing community services to families and children at risk and in crisis throughout the Washington metropolitan area. ACM has testified before the United States House of Representatives House Judiciary Committee, and the United States Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families.

Black Enterprise: Black Wealth Initiative

Declaration of Financial Empowerment

Our program seeks to empower you by changing your attitude toward money management and revealing comprehensive savings, investment and consumer strategies. As you seek to embrace the concept of financial empowerment, we have outlined the process that it will take to get you there. Wealth building is a continuum that will require focus, energy and patience.

Requires registration.

Mothers In Charge

Mothers In Charge

Mothers In Charge was founded by Dorothy Johnson-Speight as a community advocacy and support organization for families affected by violence. Dorothy Johnson-Speight's 24 year old son was murdered over a parking space in December 2001.

The mission of Mothers In Charge is violence prevention, education and intervention for youth, young adults, families and community organizations. In addition, Mothers In Charge works with elected officials on legislation to support safe neighborhoods and communities for children and families and collaborates with community and faith based organizations.

Mothers In Charge will advocate for families affected by violence and provide counseling and grief support services for families when a loved one has been murdered. Mothers In Charge is comprised of impassioned mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters who are committed to working towards savings lives. Most of the members have experienced the horror of having a son or daughter or loved one murdered. Because of the death and the life of their loved one, each mother and member is committed to saving lives and preventing another mother from having to experience this terrible tragedy.

Each mother, sister, aunt, or grandmother brings a special gift to this organization and its mission. Their passion and drive comes from within because each one of these brave women has somehow found the strength to attempt to turn a personal tragedy into a medium for change. They realize that positive change cannot happen within communities without addressing the issue of senseless and random violence.