Black Self Help Information

YMEN Chicago

YMEN Chicago

Researchers from Jawanza Kunjufu to Na’im Akbar agree that society must make a greater effort and focus more resources to reach

African-American boys ages 10-16. Even with the recent growth and revitalization in North Lawndale community, we face serious challenges in the areas of community safety and academic underachievement, particularly amoung our African-American young men. In the past four years, over 10,000 North Lawndale boys were arrested and placed into the juvenile court system. According to Congressman Danny K. Davis, 70% of all adult men in North Lawndale ages 18-45 are ex-offenders. Homicide is the leading cause of death among African-American men between the ages of 15-24 years old. In Illinois, there are more than 10,000 more African-American males in prison or on parole than are enrolled in college. In North Lawndale, less than 35% of African-American young men graduate from high school, and less than 5% earn a bachelor’s degree. If African-American young men are essential assets of a healthy community, more must be done. Reaching African-American youth is a life or death proposition.

At YMEN, we have been a community leader in providing significant resources and holistic youth programming, including academic support, leadership development activities, community service opporutunites to young men in the North Lawndale community. YMEN was recognized as “one of the outstanding youth leadership development organizations in Chicago” by Professor Joseph Kahn (Universtiy of Illinois, Chicago).

Triple Threat Mentoring

Triple Threat Mentoring

Who We Are

Triple Threat Mentoring uses people’s passions to fight the cycle of poverty. Since 2007, we’ve used our passion-based programs and events to connect more than 32,000 at-risk youth with adults who love the same things they do. We help you Share Your Passion and Create Your Legacy.

Our Mission

To empower urban youth to realize their potential and inspire volunteers to leave a lasting legacy. We’re not just a youth organization. We’re an organization that facilitates relationships between youth and volunteers through our passion-based programs.

The KHEPRW Institute

The KHEPRW Institute

WHAT IS THE KHEPRW INSTITUTE?

Kheprw Institute (KI) is a community organization that works to create a more just, equitable, human-centered world by nurturing youth and young adults to be leaders, critical thinkers and doers who see the people in any community as the most valuable assets and are committed to working with marginalized communities to bring about change that leads to empowered self-sustainable communities.

Mentoring Young Black Men in Charlottesville

Mentoring Young Black Men in Charlottesville

Last month, a Charlottesville organization to mentor young men of color beat out more than one hundred other groups across the country to get the 100 Black Men of America’s chapter of the year award for mentoring.  WMRA’s Jordy Yager talked with some of the young men who have excelled in the program, and their mentors.

Belonging to the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia is no cake walk. It’s the largest African-American mentoring program in the area for more than 200 middle and high school students. And the kids fall under some pretty tight scrutiny.

The Hidden Genius Project

The Hidden Genius Project

The Hidden Genius Project was founded in 2012 by five black male entrepreneurs/technologists who were unnerved by the dramatic juxtaposition between the high unemployment of black male youth and the plethora of career opportunities within the local technology sector. To address this challenge, the founders established a program to connect underserved, young black males with the skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become high-performing entrepreneurs and technologists in a 21st century, global economy.

Youth Empowerment Project

The mission of the Youth Empowerment Project is:

“YEP engages underserved young people through community-based education, mentoring and employment readiness programs to help them develop skills and strengthen ties to family and community."

Project Bridges

PROJECT BRIDGES

MISSION STATEMENT

Project Bridges mission is to strengthen and expand the capacity of churches and community organizations through strategic alliances and partnerships that provide relevant training, services, programs and resources. 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Project Bridges, Inc. is organized to operate exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes. The organization seeks to:

• develop a network of churches and faith-based and community organizations to combat social and spiritual problems, in local communities;
• facilitate programs and support services that strengthen the capacity of churches and faith-based and community organizations to combat these problems;
• provide resources, education, and training to churches and faith-based and community organizations to help strengthen and expand their capacity to relieve poverty, serve the needy in their communities, and provide biblical solutions to the heart issues underlying both social and spiritual problems.

Project Bridges will engage in activities that we believe are necessary and proper to accomplish our objectives and purposes, and accomplish both our vision and mission.

Black Men Mentoring Students In Albemarle County, VA

http://www.nbc29.com/story/24463682/black-men-mentoring-black-students-in-albemarle-schools

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va (WVIR) 

A group of African-American men is investing hundreds of hours a month to mentor dozens of young black male students in Albemarle County. The school system is also developing new partnerships to create more mentoring programs countywide.

Members of the 100 Black Men of central Virginia work one-on-one to mentor about 80 middle school boys in Albemarle County schools. Some of those mentors joined their students for lunch at Burley Middle School Wednesday afternoon to catch up on schoolwork and home life.

Each mentor commits to spending at least 10 hours a month with the boys they're helping to become responsible young men.

“Because of the nature of what we do and the outcome we expect it to bring, you can't trivialize the time you spend with the young people,” said Xavier Jackson, a mentor.

The Albemarle County school system tracks the success of these programs, and says mentors improve students' attendance, grades, and goals for the future.

“It's all about giving quality time with a group of students on a regular basis. But you're also tracking the performance and impact of your mentoring time you're giving to the young people,” said Bernard Hairston, executive director of community engagement for Albemarle County Public Schools.

This is just one of the mentor programs in Albemarle County schools. The school system's goal this year is to form partnerships with volunteer groups and respected members of the community to create more mentorship programs.

African-American organizations jointly hold fundraiser

African-American organizations jointly hold fundraiser

For the third year, the 100 Black Men and Coalition of 100 Black Women organizations joined forces to raise money to buy toys and presents for Clark County schoolchildren, through a Christmas party Dec. 6 at The Venetian. More than 300 people attended.

...

Pauling said the 100 Black Men focus on mentoring, education, economic empowerment, health and wellness. He added that the mission is to serve the community. The group’s motto is, “What they see is what they’ll be,” when it comes to mentoring the children.

The Coalition of 100 Black Women also mentors in Clark County schools, advocates programs to place women in corporate positions, and conducts seminars on HIV, economic development and finance.

100 Black Women President Allen said both organizations plan to partner on more programs in the future, given this project’s success.

Chisolm: 'Host' of Black mentors serving youths

Chisolm: 'Host' of Black mentors serving youths

I am in full support of ensuring that we have enough male mentors to do as stated in Aug. 1 Savannah Morning News editorial “Save the males.”

But what I am disturbed about is the notion that there are no Black men pulling their weight in this community. Just because they have not signed up for duty in particular organizations doesn’t mean that contributions are not being made by conscious, concerned and committed Black men.

As a single father of two, I raised my daughter (now 25) on my own and helped to raise my son (almost 27) to successful adulthood. I am not alone.

I have mentored young men in my church; one successfully completed the Youth Challenge Program. I am about to add two more to my list.

The point being is that there is a host of Black men in this community who function as role models, as fathers, as surrogate fathers, as mentors and as support systems. They invest their time, talents and treasures into the lives of young people other than their own.

Just because all of them have not availed themselves in community-based programs doesn’t mean they are not contributing in meaningful ways. Why not interview them and let’s hear their story.

More at the link provided.

 

"Why Murder?"

 

 

 

Donnie Andrews' life is one that David Simon and Ed Burns would have had to invent if he hadn't already lived it.

"I am the real Omar," Andrews tells me by way of introduction, referring to how he was the inspiration for the ruthless yet moral stickup man in the Simon and Burns HBO series "The Wire."

Omar Little didn't make it through "The Wire's" five-season arc. He was shot to death in the final season — as was a member of his crew, Donnie, who was played by Andrews himself in a bit part.

In real life, Andrews managed to survive the kind of street justice so accurately depicted in "The Wire." At 57, he seems grateful to be alive, speaking repeatedly about "blessings" on Thursday evening to a group gathered at the University of Maryland Law School to launch and raise funds for his new nonprofit organization targeting urban youth.

The law school is just a half-mile away but worlds apart from Lexington Terrace, the since-demolished public housing complex where he was a part of a notoriously violent drug trade. To a crowd that included Burns, former congressman Kweisi Mfume, Maryland Law Dean Phoebe Haddon and Harvard Law professor Charles Ogletree, Andrews spoke of his hopes for the group Why Murder?

The name stems from 1986, when Andrews, then a drug dealer and stickup artist, was paid by a drug lord to kill a rival. Just before Andrews fired the fatal shot, the victim looked him in the eye and said, "Why?"

"To this day, I'm still trying to find that answer," he said.

Wow.

Mad Dads

General Background
The MAD DADS Organization...

MAD DADS is an acronym for Men Against Destruction-Defending Against Drugs and Social-Disorder. MAD DADS, INC. was founded in May of 1989 by a group of concerned Omaha, Nebraska parents who were fed up with gang violence and the unmolested flow of illegal drugs in our community.

We present ourselves as positive role models and concerned loving parents who are a visible presence in our neighborhoods against the negative forces destroying our children, our families and cities.  We started out of pain -- the pain of our children dying in the streets of their own communities. We were -- and still are -- tired of looking into the eyes of hollow youth who lacked hope, and who had ceased to dream. We realized that we could hold no one responsible for this but ourselves: we allowed it to happen. So we united as a handful of community fathers who now know that WE MUST BE THE FORCE BEHIND THE CHANGE.

From a genesis of only 18 men in Omaha, MAD DADS has grown to over 75,000 men, women and children nationally, with 60 plus Chapters in 17 states.  Chapters have been started in the following states: Nebraska, Maryland, Iowa, Ohio, Texas, Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Illinois, California, Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Some Chapters also have divisions of MOMS and KIDS.

More at the link provided.

Harlem Children's Zone

Harlem Children's Zone

Harlem Children's Zone, Inc. has experienced incredible growth - from the number of children we serve to the breadth of our services. But one thing has stayed the same: the agency's "whatever it takes" attitude when it comes to helping children to succeed.

The organization began 1970 as Rheedlen, working with young children and their families as the city's first truancy-prevention program.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, the crack epidemic tore through Harlem; open-air drug markets flourished while families disintegrated. While many inside and outside Harlem gave up hope, HCZ's staff believed that new approaches were necessary.

In 1991, the agency was among the first in the city to open a Beacon Center. Our Countee Cullen Community Center turned a public school that used to shut its door at the end of the school day into a community center offering a range of services and activities on nights, weekends and summers.

In the 1990s, to help keep local schools safe, the Harlem Peacemakers program began placing AmeriCorps participants in classrooms. These young people were a welcome presence assisting teachers during the school day and then running programs after school.

In the late 1990s, HCZ ran a pilot project that brought a range of support services to a single block. The idea was to address all the problems that poor families were facing: from crumbling apartments to failing schools, from violent crime to chronic health problems.

It created a 10-year business plan, then to ensure its best-practice programs were operating as planned, HCZ was in the vanguard of nonprofits that began carefully evaluating and tracking the results of their work.

In 1997, the agency began a network of programs for a 24-block area: the Harlem Children's Zone Project. In 2007, the Zone Project grew to almost 100 blocks and served 7,400 children and over 4,100 adults.

Over the years, the agency introduced several ground-breaking efforts: in 2000, The Baby College parenting workshops; in 2001, the Harlem Gems pre-school program; also in 2001, the HCZ Asthma Initiative, which teaches families to better manage the disease; in 2004, the Promise Academy, a high-quality public charter school; and in 2006, an obesity program to help children stay healthy.

Under the visionary leadership of its President and CEO, Geoffrey Canada, HCZ continues to offer innovative, efficiently run programs that are aimed at doing nothing less than breaking the cycle of generational poverty for the thousands of children and families it serves.

All HCZ programs are offered free to the children and families of Harlem, which is made possible by donations from people like yourself. To help us continue our work, please click here.

Angel Rock Project

Angel Rock Project

The Angelrock Project is an on-line e-village promoting volunteerism, social responsibility, and sustainable change. The site serves as a pathway for those seeking pertinent information on how to lead a life of service. The Angelrock Project includes valuable information on how to volunteer, advice on making monetary or in-kind donations, links to life-changing service organizations, recommends wonderful products that you can purchase to sustain third-world artisans, and suggests corporations who donate a percentage of proceeds to worthy non-profit organizations. In addition, you will regularly read inspirational Angel stories about people who spend their lives helping others and have the opportunity to view our recommended Angel organizations, books, and websites. Angel Talk brings like-minded individuals together who enjoy chatting and exchanging ideas about service under Project Platform, Service Talk, Giving Matters, and Community Plaza. We encourage you to visit Angel Talk and share the forum with your friends.

Black Star Project teams patrol to fight violence

Black Star Project teams patrol to fight violence

One hundred members of the Black Star Project took to the streets of some of Chicago's most violent neighborhoods Saturday to help keep the peace.

Teams of six men each walked through several city neighborhoods, including Englewood, Humboldt Park and Uptown, to encourage young people to stop the violence. The men will continue their "Peace and Hope Patrols" twice a month, the Black Star Project said.

The Black Star Project is a group dedicated to improving the quality of life in Chicago's black and Latino communities.

BEM Foundation Blog

BEM Foundation Blog

The mission of the BEM Foundation is to provide students with the academic tools and leadership skills they need to produce extraordinary results and contribute to the global workforce. We mentor youth while introducing them to entrepreneurial opportunities, professional careers, and provide them with tools to combat mediocrity while fostering leadership skills. We plan to serve “at-risk” young males and females from all ethnicities and backgrounds ages 9 to 19 throughout the continental United States as well as abroad. As a result of our efforts, at risk youth and student community at-large will be inspired to ascend and become leaders in their respective communities who not only produce but lend measurable outcomes to society as a whole.

BEM Foundation

BEM Foundation

The BEM Foundation was started because we believe that the unimaginable can become a reality through continued learning, perseverance, accountability, commitment, and change. The Founders of the BEM Foundation, Ronald Mitchell and Shawn Fludd come from two diverse backgrounds, but understand the importance of implementing the aforementioned elements in the lives of children in the United States and abroad.

The BEM Foundation understands that the lives of a disadvantaged child in an undeveloped country mirror the life of an indigent child in the United States.  A child giving up on life and struggling to overcome obstacles regardless of where they live matter just as much as a child in a safe, suburban neighborhood. Today, millions of youth do not realize their potential because of their socioeconomic status and limited exposure. Given the ever-increasing advances in science and technology in the United States and abroad, the opportunities for all children to succeed are boundless. 

When faculty, students, parents, and the community-at-large subscribe to the BEM Methodology, they will know that we strive to build relationships that foster success. The BEM Methodology seeks to address real concerns and issues confronting today’s youth by employing a  full range of contemporary tools, technology models, research data collection, measurement, and data analysis. 

A Father's Promise: This Is Our Problem

This Is Our Problem

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

H/T: Black Informant

Black Star Project Joins Open Society Institute’s Campaign for Black Male Achievement

Black Star Project Joins Open Society Institute’s Campaign for Black Male Achievement

The Black Star Project will receive $50,000 from the Open Society Institute to support the Million Father March and a school-based program that engages Black men as mentors and tutors in the Chicago Public School System. The grant was awarded through OSI’s Campaign for Black Male Achievement, a three-year grantmaking initiative to address, and help reverse, the ways in which African-American boys and men are stigmatized, criminalized, and excluded from the U.S. economic and political mainstream.

Even as Americans elected their first Black president, the end of 2008 saw an onslaught of dire reports on the educational, social and economic outcomes for Black males in America. Sky-high dropout rates for high-school students, an out-of-control murder rate for 14- to 17-year olds and a 72 percent unemployment rate for high-school dropouts paint a bleak forecast for young Black men.

The Black Star Project has joined with the Open Society Institute’s Campaign for Black Male Achievement to address these issues. With the support of the Campaign, Black Star will expand its successful Million Father March and also launch an initiative that uses school-based strategies to recruit Black male tutors and mentors. Research by the National Fatherhood Initiative shows that children, male and female, perform better in school, at home and in life when their father takes an active and positive role in their lives. Additionally, Black male tutors and mentors provide measurable guidance for Black boys and young Black males in America.

More at the link provided.

Running Rebels Youth Programs

Running Rebels Youth Programs

The Running Rebels Community Organization (RRCO) is a private, non profit 501(c)(3) organization, located in Milwaukee’s central city, and began in 1980. as a small group of volunteers committed to helping the youth in their neighborhood stay off the street and in school through recreation, discussion groups, and educational field trips. Its mission is to help Milwaukee youth to develop mentally, physically, and spiritually. Most staff are minorities and reside in the central city. While the agency serves more than one thousand 4-18 year old children and youth and their families throughout Milwaukee County, the great majority of clients live in the central city and range in age from 10-15 years. About 90% are African-American, 90% are male, and most are referred through the court system and have had serious problems in family, school, and community. The majority of RRCO’s 60 paid staff (part- and full-time) are multi-cultured, and the seven-member volunteer Board of Directors are composed of minorities. Ten program volunteers and two office volunteers also work with the organization. Programs are funded through a variety of sources, including purchase of service contracts with Milwaukee County’s contracted managed care agencies, the Milwaukee County Probation Services Network and foundation grants.

Phenomenal Young Ladies

Phenomenal Young Ladies, Inc

Phenomenal Young Ladies, Inc, (PYL), is a Chester, PA. based non-profit organization established on August 23, 2004 to enrich the lives of young African American females through participation in community service and activities that broaden the scope of their cultural experience.

It is a sisterhood that works to build positive self-esteem and character in its members and promotes academic, personal, and group goal attainment which empowers the PYL's to reach their fullest potential.

CBM and 100 Black Men, Doing The Thang

CBM Partners with school system to help black boys

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Some Albany men want to make sure students get on the right track at an early age.

 Concerned Black Men of Albany is partnering with the Dougherty County school system to mentor and encourage African American boys in Kindergarten through third grade at Magnolia and Alice Coachman Elementary schools.

Alice Coachman principal Pat Victor compares the men's support to a tomato plant being supported by a garden stake. 

"If you stake them, your tomatoes will grow up to be fine tomatoes and not fall on the ground. So this is the intent, to make sure those young men get the support they need to be fine productive citizens," says Victor.

100 Black Men award $61K in scholarships

The 100 Black Men of Bradley County take a holistic approach to "breaking the cycle ... reaching out ... reaching back" in their efforts to improve the quality of young people's lives. The mentors focused Saturday morning on rewarding youths who have chosen to pursue education.

Scholarship checks averaging $1,800 were presented to 19 college students and scholarship accounts of about $1,550 each were opened in the names of 11 middle and high school students. The total amount of scholarships in 2008 equaled $61,000.

The community leaders have awarded more than $250,000 during the program's 12-year-existence.

100 Black Men of Baton Rouge Partners with Edison Learning

Baton Rouge, LA – 100 Black Men of Baton Rouge and EdisonLearning, the leading education company partnering with public schools in the United States, will welcome students for the first day of classes at the new Capitol High Academy for Boys and Girls on Thursday, August 7.  Capitol High Academy is located at 1000 N. 23rd Street in Baton Rouge.  Dawn Green is the school’s new principal.

“One of the greatest things you can ever do in life is to help someone else achieve their goals and dreams,” said John F. Smith, vice president of programs for the 100 Black Men. “Our collaboration with EdisonLearning, and with the support of parents, we will create a solid foundation for the future of our children’s education here at Capitol High Academy, and help them to fulfill their dreams.”

Baltimore NAACP Partners With The Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts And The NAACP

The NAACP said it is concerned that far too many black school-aged boys are spending their days on the streets, and they said that puts them in harm's way, as well as makes them targets for gangs and violence.

The group has turned to the Boys Scouts to try and reach them. At Boy Scouts headquarters, the two groups agreed it's a timely and worthy mission.

"These young people up here cumulatively have provided locally more than 1,000 hours of community service," said Ethan Draddy of the BSA.

"This program is to be a model, and today marks the launching of that flagship, which is committed to drawing our young men away from gangs on the street," said Gerald Stansbury, president of the Maryland chapter of the NAACP.

The project, called the First Class Camp, became official with a memorandum of understanding. Former Boy Scout Rep. Elijah Cummings was one of those who signed it.

Fifth Ward Enrichment Program

The Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, Incorporated

The Fifth Ward Enrichment Program Incorporated (FWEP) is a youth leadership and development program for at-risk males, ages 12 - 19, located in one of Houston 's most economically depressed neighborhoods.

Founded in 1984, FWEP offers to 250 inner-city African American and Latino youth more than 20 support services that deter chemical dependency, teen pregnancy, school delinquency and dropouts, while promoting self-discipline, personal accountability, and self-esteem. These services are provided year-round through the School-based Projects, and the Teen Enterprise Center (TEC).

The School-based Project is the core program and truly defines the holistic approach to youth development that FWEP embraces. This project is housed in five schools in the Houston Independent School District 's (HISD) Northeast District and provides site coordinators who monitor school activities, interact with teachers and administrators, and coordinate daily, after-school activities. The site coordinators are responsible for the delivery of the life skills curriculum, home visits, and individual and group counseling sessions. The site coordinator is recognized by the school's youth as their mentor "on campus".

Future Black Men of America, Inc

Future Black Men Of America

In 2002 Future Black Men of America, Inc. (FBMA) was born in the mind of its founder Antoine Medley.
"The young black boys of today need the help of black men in society. It is up to us and no one else." -Antoine Medley

The organization was formally organized and incorporated as a non-profit organization in February of 2004 in the state of North Carolina. The organization also received its 501(c)3 Tax Exemption Status from the IRS in 2004.

FBMA, truly believes that young black boys need to be exposed to positive African American male role models, and positive experiences. The organization believes that black boys need to know that with hard work, sacrifice, and faith they can achieve anything. FBMA provides a variety of programs to positively alter the futures of our African American boys. Currently there are many organizations that provide similar programs but no one organization can reach all of the young males in need and for this reason FBMA was born.

The National Organization organizes and provides college tours, community activities, and mentoring for our young black men. The current education gap between young African American boys and other races is quickly widening therefore all of the FBMA programs are all geared towards closing that gap. The National Organization is currently accepting applications for the creation of new chapters around the United States. Currently there are chapters pending in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA.

The organization is only as strong as its members. Members are needed to provide and plan our programs. African American men are needed.
"We are inevitably our brothers' keepers because we are our brothers' brother. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Black And Missing, Inc

Black And Missing, Inc

BAM is an organization whose sole purpose is to maximize exposure of missing persons of color, so they can receive the awareness needed to be reunited with their families.

Founded in 2008 by a veteran law-enforcement official, BAM will create public awareness campaigns for public safety and provide parents and loved ones of missing persons with a forum for spreading the word of their disappearance, with pictures and profiles of missing individuals. BAM will use a variety of media, including print, television, and the internet, to help locate missing persons of color for this severely underserved population.

BAM is in the process of receiving its 501(c)(3) certification.

Young Men Making Moves

Making Their Moves

But the euphoria was short-lived. Community activist William Shelton, who paid for the suits, heard his name over the loudspeaker. Eight Kenneth Cole watches were missing. Security cameras showed that some of his charges had stolen them -- a dispiriting reminder that while Shelton can take young men out of the Toga, wrenching the Toga out of them is far more difficult.

"You disrespected everything we are trying to do," Shelton scolded them a few days later in his office at Brookland Manor, where he is community relations coordinator. "At what point do you make a decision to do something positive with your life? You say you want jobs, but how can I send you out to jobs if I can't trust you? This is your life. You have to get rid of this get-over mentality."

It is a message preached daily by crusaders in the city's toughest neighborhoods: If you don't make better choices, you'll end up dead or behind bars. The message is sometimes heeded, sometimes ignored. But at community centers, schools and street corners across the city, mentors like Shelton are betting that individualized attention can make a big difference.

Most of the programs are aimed at disaffected young black men who are most likely to drop out of school, be unemployed or go to jail. They are either volunteer-supported or receive funding from city agencies, including schools, employment services and recreation, and juvenile justice. Many are tiny, draw from a single neighborhood and act as surrogate parents.

More at the link provided.

African-American men to march in st. louis neighborhoods

African-American men to march in st. louis neighborhoods

ST. LOUIS, MO (2008-05-29) Black ministers, businessmen and community leaders are organizing a weekend of events in north St. Louis this weekend in an effort to reduce crime and reclaim struggling neighborhoods in St. Louis and its inner suburbs.

The movement, called "A Call to Oneness" is asking 20,000 African-American men to turn out to for a march on Sunday along the old May Day parade route ending at Tandy Park.

St. Louis Aldermanic President Lewis Reed will be part of the march.

He says the city and politicians can provide resources but the real driving force to improve the lot of black communities will come from churches.

More at the link provided.

Black men answer leaders' call to action

Black men answer leaders' call to action

Inspired by a mobilization effort in Philadelphia, leaders of Baltimore's African-American community vowed Wednesday to recruit at least 5,000 black men to bring positive change to their communities.

The goal is to reduce the city's rates of violence, high school dropouts and absentee fathers. More than 50 men representing churches, educational institutions and civic groups gathered at Calverton Elementary/Middle School in West Baltimore to announce the initiative.

The group will meet on Father's Day, June 15, at the Baltimore Convention Center, where there will be opportunities for men to sign up as volunteers with more than 100 community organizations. Several service providers will be on hand to offer men whatever assistance they need to be productive residents, be it job training or substance abuse withdrawal. Plans for follow-up meetings are in the works to maintain the momentum generated in the next few weeks.

The initiative is modeled after 10,000 Men Philly, an assembly held in October. Former state Sen. Larry Young is credited with the idea of replicating the Philadelphia program in Baltimore. Organizers said they are trying to recruit 5,000 men because Baltimore is about half the size of Philadelphia.

Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men

Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men

As one of the premier African-American men’s groups in Virginia the organization works to promote Community Betterment throughout the Hampton Roads region.  The group serves the eight cities of Hampton Roads, namely Chesapeake, Hampton, Isle of Wight County, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach.

The 200+ Men works to become catalysts for positive change in the region and as such works both alone and in tandem with other community organizations on a variety of projects that have goals and objectives similar to those of the 200+ Men.

Man Down 2008 Conference

Man Down 2008 Conference

"This is not just a church thing. It's a movement," said Pastor James Jamison of Hope Baptist Church for All Nations of the first Man Down 2008 Conference this week at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 3701 Princess Place Drive.

The idea for the conference was a way for the African American community to reclaim its young men from street violence and drug use.

With 300 men attending each nights services at 7 pm., its organizers are counting its success. "These are men who are coming from the streets, from halfway houses as well as churches," Pastor Jamison said. "They are men who believe that the time has come to elevate our African American young brothers."

More at the link provided.

Memphis Cares

Memphis Cares

Our Call to Action
We are asking every man and woman to commit just four (4) hours per month for one (1) Year

Recruitment Goal
To recruit 6000 mentors between January 2008 and December 2013! Goal is 50% of the mentors will be African American men!

Who Should Mentor?
All are welcome! We recruit men and women (like you) to become mentors because they have valuable knowledge and life experiences that will benefit young people. All it takes to become a mentor is a committed, caring person, responsible and a good listener.

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.
• Developing a Network of Peace-Minded Individuals.
• Participating in Youth Events Sponsored by Schools, Government Agencies & Non-Profit Organizations.
• Training and Workshops.
• Producing & Distributing Information.

The COS (pronounced cause) Communities

The COS Communities

The COS (pronounced cause) Communities provides a place where you can ask questions, share answers and socialize with people who are seeking advice on topics that are vital to communities across the country. Come on in and get involved.

Why Participate in the COS Communities?
For the last generation or two, the world’s sense of community has dissolved and our parenting skills have broken down — this puts our young people at risk, especially young black males.

The COS Communities address critical issues Americans face all over the United States. The goal is to prepare our communities with an education and skill set that can support the success of our young people.

How did the COS Communities get their start?
Our communities began with a group of dedicated citizens that were ready and willing to deal with the serious issues that face our youth today. From three and a half years of town hall meetings hosted by Bill Cosby — Cosby Call-Outs — we learned a lot about what issues are most pressing in the United States today. We listed five issues that outline different cases where this country has lost its sense of community. We then created five communities that act as forums for you to talk and learn about each of these issues. The communities are as follows:

• Get an Education/Skills
• Be a Parent/Caregiver
• Be Healthy
• Stop Violence
• Get a Job

We invite you to participate in our communities by interacting with others who share the same concerns as you. Come ask your own questions and help provide answers for others by contributing to the COS Communities today.
 

Pathways For Kids

Pathways For Kids

MISSION

Pathways for Kids serves to empower San Francisco’s Underserved, Inner-City Youth by exposing them to career opportunities through Mentoring and Motivational Programs, with an emphasis on Entrepreneurialism, Investing, and Capital-Building..

VISION

Founded in 1998 by local business leader, Peter Dwares and like-minded board members, Pathways’ vision is to prepare inner city kids for both higher education and a variety of career options by involving them in career exploration activities – in class, after class, in the workplace and one-on-one – tapping their imagination and motivation and inspiring them to explore their own paths.

Through the ongoing recruitment of volunteer coaches, Pathways also advances philanthropy in our community as participants enjoy the opportunity to give back to the kids by sharing their own experiences.

To date, Pathways’ programs have served over 8,000 kids and we are significantly increasing our exposure every year.

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.

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.

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.

National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise

National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise

The mission of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise is to empower neighborhood leaders to promote solutions that reduce crime and violence, restore families, revitalize low-income communities, and create economic enterprise.

Operation Hope

Operation Hope

Operation HOPE, Inc. (OHI) is a non-profit, public benefit organization, founded immediately following the civil unrest of April 29, 1992 in Los Angeles. OHI is America’s leading provider of economic tools and services. OHI is an effective facilitator, lender, advocate and educator for and on behalf of the other America.

Through a series of public/private partnerships and strategic alliances, OHI has developed and implemented programs focused on connecting the minority community with mainstream, private sector resources, and empowering under-served communities. While OHI is actively and directly involved in the communities it serves, the long range programmatic objective of OHI is to literally “drive itself out of business.” OHI desires to slowly transition out of direct program management, in areas such as lending, replacing OHI with private sector providers. Further, OHI desires to increase its direct support and involvement with community based non-profit organizations. OHI brings together, under one organizational umbrella, some of the most talented, experienced and successful individuals that America has to offer, both from the minority and mainstream community.

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.

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.

National Urban League

National Urban League

Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community- based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research.

Community Renewal Society's Web

Community Renewal Society's Web

Hello and welcome to Community Renewal Society's Web site. Founded in 1882 by laypersons and clergy of the Congregational Church (predecessor of the United Church of Christ), the Community Renewal Society is a metropolitan Chicago, faith-based, social justice organization. Community Renewal Society seeks to renew communities by bringing individuals and organization together across racial, class, denominational and faith lines.

Urban Leadership Institute

Urban Leadership Institute

Urban Leadership Institute (ULI) is a social enterprise based in Baltimore, Maryland. ULI focuses on leadership development by providing management, consultation services, program development, research and market analysis. Urban Leadership Institute empowers youth and adults to create and launch their own enterprises, and through these enterprises, to take greater responsibility for their lives and communities. We lead a growing global liberation movement of youth and adults who are committed to making a positive difference and playing an instrumental role in the welfare of their communities. We are initiating a change in the role of youth in society, and are challenging traditional perceptions of young people as they take the initiative to improve their own lives and those of their communities by launching ventures of their own design.

Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education (CURE)

Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education (CURE)

With the firm belief that faith and free market principles are key to curing poverty, Star Parker founded the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education (CURE) in 1995 to jump start national dialogue on issues of race and poverty. Parker learned firsthand that the free market can help people more than state subsidies. Before dedicating herself to social activism, she was a single welfare mother in Los Angeles. Although the 1992 Los Angeles riots destroyed her business, the loss fueled her focus on faith-based and free market alternatives to empower the poor.

The African American Planning Commission (AAPCI) Inc.

The African American Planning Commission (AAPCI) Inc.

The African American Planning Commission (AAPCI) Inc., is a New York City-based 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization committed to addressing issues of homelessness and developing innovative solutions to joblessness which in turn leads to the self-reliance and the economic independence of those served.

The African American Community Agency Service Agency

The African American Community Agency Service Agency

The African American Community Agency Service Agency is a non profit organization located in San Jose, California providing a variety of programs for the community with focus on the African American community. The needs of the African American Community are to be met by acting as an advocate for the community, promoting effective community relations, maximizing and focusing community resources and services, building a network that represents its voice on issues and providing or facilitating the delivery of mental, social, physical, and culture services to the African American Community of greater San Jose.

Charlotte Mecklenburg African American Agenda (CM3A)

Charlotte Mecklenburg African American Agenda (CM3A)!

Mission:

Assemble and link Charlotte-Mecklenburg African American community stakeholders.
All citizens have a stake in the progress of the African American community.

CM3A will:

• Build collaborative relationships
• Prioritize issues relevant to Charlotte-Mecklenburg African Americans
• Empower the community to hold all leaders responsible for improving the quality of life for African Americans living in Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Vision:

CM3A will launch and maintain a powerful communication vehicle that engages Charlotte-Mecklenburg stakeholders in dialogue and action around issues affecting the African American community.

Men United for a Better Philadelphia

Men United for a Better Philadelphia (MUBP) is a movement comprised of a group of activists from across the city focused on reducing violence in the City of Philadelphia. Initially motivated by the alarming number of drug-related homicides, the organization will focus as its core mission re-educating men through positive activities. This will be done through a network of support services for men focused on attracting young men away from the type of lifestyles associated with criminal activity.

MUBP believes men must take back the streets and organize at the grass roots level to launch a meaningful attack on negative attitudes that are contributed to the destruction of families and neighborhoods.

Through the group’s work, MUBP is able to identify the needs of men in the community and develop the model to fill in the gaps in services coming to men. The biggest gap identified was the need for a comprehensive plan or model to provide services to men that would build self-esteem, increase positive hopes of the future and decrease the negative perceptions that men sometimes have of themselves

Men United for a Better Philadelphia (MUBP) is a movement comprised of a group of activists from across the city focused on reducing violence in the City of Philadelphia. Initially motivated by the alarming number of drug-related homicides, the organization will focus as its core mission re-educating men through positive activities. This will be done through a network of support services for men focused on attracting young men away from the type of lifestyles associated with criminal activity.

MUBP believes men must take back the streets and organize at the grass roots level to launch a meaningful attack on negative attitudes that are contributed to the destruction of families and neighborhoods.

Through the group’s work, MUBP is able to identify the needs of men in the community and develop the model to fill in the gaps in services coming to men. The biggest gap identified was the need for a comprehensive plan or model to provide services to men that would build self-esteem, increase positive hopes of the future and decrease the negative perceptions that men sometimes have of themselves