Black Self Help Information

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.

Boys to Men program offers young men support from elders

Boys to Men program offers young men support from elders

Robert Jackson occasionally needs a little encouragement, and he's not ashamed to say it.

A Central Medical Magnet High School junior, Jackson, 17, plans to attend Stanford University and then law school.

The motivation to map out those plans has been stoked partially by his mentors in the local Boys to Men program.
Jackson joined about 160 other young men and 90 adult men from the school and community Wednesday for the group's luncheon in the Central girls' gym.

He described it as "a great program to get that extra push and drive to help me succeed in life."

Those assembled heard from school coaches about character development and focus. Central's drum line and students Johnathan McCowan and Jacobe Jackson provided the musical entertainment.

"This is all about character building," Central principal Patricia Lambert told the group. "This is all about helping you to soar."

More at the link provided.

Future Black Men of America, Inc

Future Black Men of America, Inc

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.

Group's Found Has A Mission to Mentor Young, Black Men

Group's Found Has A Mission to Mentor Young, Black Men

Raleigh, N.C. — Antoine Medley says he's following a call to save young people. Young, black men especially.

The people who are the target of his message might not like everything he has to say, but he's saying it anyway.

From 9 to 5, Medley is a computer guy. He's the one you call when something goes wrong.

He's also a family guy who has made the tough choice to give up family time to create something he believes in – Future Black Men of America Inc.

“Our young boys are really going through some things now by not having direction,” Medley says. That is what led him to decide he must be a leader, must try to shape and change those young men.

More at the link provided.

SOM students mentor Detroit schoolchildren

SOM students mentor Detroit schoolchildren

Wayne State University School of Medicine students have banded together to launch a cultural and academic academy for middle and high school students of Detroit.   

The Promoting Uplift to Lives of Success and Empowerment (PULSE) Enrichment Academy meets two Saturdays of each month from August to April, bringing Detroit students onto the School of Medicine campus to be taught a variety of cultural and academic subjects by SOM medical students.

The academy, the brainchild of second-year medical students Letacia Sims, Cecelia Calhoun and Dakisha Felder, was established with a Widening the Pipeline Program grant from the School of Medicine’s chapter of the American Medical Student Association. Many of the students volunteering as teachers and tutors are members of the Wayne State University School of Medicine chapter of the Black Medical Association/Student National Medical Association. Ms.Sims, Ms. Calhoun and Ms. Felder are community service chairpersons for the SNMA.   

“We saw a need for this type of programming,” said Ms. Sims, a native of Georgia who wants to practice pediatric medicine. “Kids need to expand their horizons in academics and culture. SOM students need volunteer hours, and the children of Detroit need the help, so it’s mutually beneficial. We get to give back to the community.”

More at the link provided.

Mentoring Program Gives Students Wisdom, Awards

Mentoring Program Gives Students Wisdom, Awards

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – In Bob Countryman's days, mentoring was a trickle-down affair – brother to brother.

That's all his family could manage for its 13 children when mentoring programs were practically nonexistent, said Countryman, 70, of San Diego.

Today, he is a driving force behind organized mentoring for young African-Americans.

Countryman, a retired Drug Enforcement Administration forensic chemist, served as master of ceremonies for the Links Inc. San Diego chapter's black male high school seniors achievement awards ceremony. It was held at the downtown Marriott Hotel & Marina yesterday.

Nineteen students were honored at the ceremony attended by roughly 400 people.

Links is a national nonprofit organization of black  women, with some chapters overseas.

More at the link provided.

Project Ready changing attitudes, 1 by 1

Project Ready changing attitudes, 1 by 1

For young black men, dodging gangs, drugs and negative peers and trying to avoid becoming a victim of crime is as much a part of their academic success as hitting the books.

"You've always got to watch your back when you're walking. You never know; maybe those two dudes, or three dudes, you just passed might come back. Like they've seen something they like (such as a clothing item or gold chain) and try to take it," said Marcus Bowens, 17.

Disturbed by the unyielding pattern of high youth violence rates and low graduation rates, the Urban League of Rochester has launched "Project Ready," a program to provide academic mentoring and training in life skills for young black men.

The development program meets twice a week to provide tutoring, train participants on test-taking and public speaking and raise cultural awareness.

More at the link provided.

Washington County Woman Seeks To Inspire Youths Of Color

Washington County Woman Seeks To Inspire Youths Of Color

As a department assistant in the radiology department at Washington County Hospital, Fara Thompson knows a lot about career opportunities in the medical field. She shares her knowledge and contacts as the Medical Cluster leader for the Hagerstown YMCA's Black Achievers program.

 

Black Achievers is a youth mentoring program for ages 12 to 18. Its goal is to expose participants to a variety of opportunities in the community, from career and business options to college tours to community service, Thompson said.

 

"We want to get them out into the community and try to help people, to get them to love who they are, to be proud of being a Black Achiever," Thompson said.

More at the link provided.

Gilmer begins mentoring group for students

Gilmer begins mentoring group for students

GILMER — Sometimes a young man needs know someone is watching when he ponders whether to pick up his homework or watch TV.

That's the premise of a new mentoring program that pairs black male students at Gilmer's Bruce Middle School with mentors they met Sunday night.

"Graduation seems a long way off — it's not," Bruce Middle School Principal Greg Watson told the 16 or so young students who met with about 20 volunteer mentors in the school's cafeteria Sunday.

"It's important to start planning right now. ... You're going to make mistakes along the way, but we're going to try to give you a support network."

The mentoring program for young black men formed about two weeks ago. Sunday was the first meeting between the mentors and students. The mentors also are black.

James E. Venters of McNeese and St. Claire Streets Church of Christ in Gilmer said each volunteer will be paired with a student. The mentor will make regular stops at the campus to check the student's progress, but Venters said off-campus activities also will be part of the curriculum.

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.

Youth Advisers Bring Order and an Empathetic Ear

Youth Advisers Bring Order and an Empathetic Ear

Havoc was the order of the day at Bladensburg High School in Prince George's County.

Students were fighting, skipping classes and stealing cars from the parking lot.

Officials were stymied until they sought help two years ago from a national program designed to help schools by reaching out to troubled youths. Enter the youth advisers of the Violence-Free Zone, a program of the District-based Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, who let the students know that they were there to help them. The advisers also brought a stronger message: Control of Bladensburg was going to return to the adults.

"Kids can't be controlled by cameras, curfews and cops," said Robert L. Woodson, president and founder of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise. "Those are threats, and they won't respond to that. . . . The Violence-Free Zone inspires them to obey the rules by providing life witnesses to them [who show] that just because you are from a dysfunctional household or a troubled neighborhood, you don't have to be a troubled person."

The Violence-Free Zone, now also in Largo High School, has been praised by school officials and community leaders for helping to turn around troubled schools.

At the same time, the program has fallen prey to the budget ax. Funded by Prince George's schools for the 2006-07 school year, the program is in danger of ending soon unless $500,000 can be raised to save it, authorities said.

Community stakeholders recently gathered at First Baptist Church of Glenarden to try find ways to raise money to continue the program, which Superintendent John E. Deasy would like to expand to more schools, said his spokesman, John White.

White credited the program with resolving significant conflicts and behavior issues at Bladensburg and Largo.

More at the link.

Helping Youth Lead Fuller Lives

Helping Youth Lead Fuller Lives

Youth who live in Springhill Lake in Greenbelt say they are grateful for the free mentoring programs offered by husband-and-wife team Brian and Camille Butler.

Jarrell Jefferson, 14, of Springhill Lake in Greenbelt said the programs, which include community projects and field trips, have helped to broaden his horizons.

‘‘I do look up to [Mr. Butler] as an older role model because he’s always trying to [help us] become better people. He’s always encouraging us,” Jefferson said.

Greenbelt resident Patricia Clark, 14, said youth in Springhill Lake could use more people like Brian.

‘‘Springhill Lake is a very big area. He’s limited in how many people he can help,” Clark said.

Camille, 30, and Brian, 32, who lived in Springhill Lake Apartments in 1999, said they created the mentoring programs to enrich, educate and instill respect in young peoples’ lives through field trips, community service projects and group discussions. Brian said the lack of black role models in the youth’s homes prompted him to start a mentoring program.

‘‘I knew just for that simple fact that I was an example. Positive or negative, it is really important for youth to see a black male in a positive light,” Brian said.

More at the link provided.

Essence Cares

ESSENCE CARES

Heeding our children's desperate cry for help, we have launched ESSENCE CARES: A National Mentoring Movement and a coalition with some of the most trusted organizations in the nation: the National Urban League; 100 Black Men of America; The Links, Incorporated; and the YWCA.

Our critical call to action simply asks this: that every able Black adult put his or her guiding hand on a vulnerable young person's shoulder. So many of our young people-our treasure and our future-are in peril. At this moment, the negative forces claiming our children are more powerful than our community's and country's efforts to secure them.

A thousand blessings to you for your willingness and commitment to help change that, and for joining with ESSENCE CARES to become part of the solution.

On this site we will connect you to mentoring organizations in your community that have men and women working to create a new world for our young people. Together we will end this state of emergency in Black America. Linking arms and aims, we will open wide the pathways to happiness, wholeness and high achievement for our struggling youngsters.

Our beloved children are waiting for us.

Black Male Initiative Worth Duplicating

Black Male Initiative Worth Duplicating

After a summer visit to the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, N.Y., Shawn Mitchell couldn�t wait to plan a future career in technology.

 

�There were so many inspirational speakers there � they talked about not just the aspect of technology and science but about life and life�s struggles,� says Mitchell, 20, a sophomore at the New York City College of Technology, a branch of the City University of New York (CUNY) also known as City Tech. �It was just very inspiring, very eye-opening (and) I saw and experienced stuff that I never experienced before.�

 

Laboratory visits are one of many methods used by City Tech�s Black Male Initiative (BMI) program that engages Black male students in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The BMI program, which targets both potential and existing City Tech students, was recently named one of nine U.S. Model Replication Institutions by NASA and the National Science Foundation for its innovative approaches in attacking the problem of Black male student enrollment and retention.

 

City Tech�s strategies will be replicated at other schools across the country as part of an initiative being administered by the Institute of Higher Education Policy (IHEP). IHEP officials say this initiative is designed to expand access in the STEM fields for students at minority-serving institutions.

Young men seek keys to future with Project Y.E.S.

Young men seek keys to future with Project Y.E.S.

For 20 young black males, Project Y.E.S. has been instrumental in their saying "yes" to their dreams.

"I thought it was about getting big, so I was excited about coming," said Darius Walker, 15. "We've had a lot of speakers who know where we're coming from and they tell us how to be successful. It put a thought into my mind that I can be successful too, so when I think about it, Project Y.E.S. is about getting big in a way."

Project Youths Exemplifying Success began in July through a collaboration between Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

"When I came to Shiloh, we didn't have a youth male program," said Tonda Booker, the executive director of the community center. "I wanted to think of something that was not just another program out there, but something that's going to make a difference."

The youths, ages 10-18, attend the program twice a week for tutoring, test preparation and mentoring. Each week, a different black role model from the community speaks to the youths.

"We have honor roll students now. We have students who look forward to going to school and coming to Project Y.E.S. They are doing very well. It's been a success," she said.

For the tutors who also act as mentors for the youths, seeing them succeed is rewarding.

"It makes us put things in perspective. When you hear a guy say that he has gone from being a D student to being a B-plus student, it lets you know that you are in the right place and you are making a difference," said Jarvis Ellis, a tutor and mentor.

Beyond academics, the goal of Project Y.E.S. is to teach the youths to dream and to plan to achieve their dreams, Ms. Booker said.

Next Level Mentoring Program

Next Level Mentoring Program

The Next Level Mentoring Program is a community based, non-profit 501c3 organization located in Florence, KY. Our mission is to provide minority high and middle school students, primarily African-American, in our community with the skills and knowledge to maximize their potential to continue higher education post high school. We aspire to prepare students in grades 8th -12th for a successful transition from high school to college. Services provided by the Next Level Mentoring Program include academic one to one mentoring, personal development, cultural awareness, community service, ACT prep, a variety of seminars/workshops/panels, and college visits including a one week Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) tour.

On Our Shoulders

The On Our Shoulders program was created out of the empathy felt by its founder, Ray Cook, as he watched countless youths die and become victims of violence on the streets of Baltimore.

The counseling, education and skills training offered by On Our Shoulders helps young people develop career potential and connections to advanced education.

The program components include:

Group Sessions

• Assessment
• Review Street Violence Statistics
• Health and Hygiene Classes Conducted by Registered Nurses
• Individual Drug Counseling and Referral
• Young Mothers/Fathers Group
• Support Groups for Young Victims of Violence

On The Job Training

• Pre-apprenticeship Training
• Catering, Food Handling and Baking Classes
• Clerical Training
• Construction/Electrical/Plumbing
• Barbering/Braiding (Hygiene Enhancement Classes)
• Modeling Training/Fashion Shows

Skill Enhancements

• Academic Skills
• G.E.D. Preparation and Testing
• Computer Skills
• Job Readiness Skills
• Life Skills/Coping Skills/Decision Making Skills
• Paid Internships
• College Preparation/Scholarships/Advanced Education

Crimminal Assessment

• Help young people understand charge papers and court procedures
• Provide an assessment on program participants to the courts
• Appropriately recommend "On Our Shoulders" as an alternative to incarceration

Advanced education will be based on academic performance, attendance, punctuality, and commitment to the program. Our youth will need to demonstrate a high degree of motivation within the program to receive a court representation and assessment verification

Pioneer Achievement Committee Scholars

Pioneer Achievement Committee Scholars

For the Pioneer Achievement Committee Scholars, high school is more than a place to hang out with your friends.

Instead, they view it a chance to set the rest of their lives on the right path.

It's a message the Scholars - all black males - hope to pass down to more than 40 of their peers at Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School..

"This is about giving everyone a chance at a better life," said Kyler Wilkins, junior who hopes to go to the University of Michigan and major in computers and/or engineering. "It has to start here (in high school). You have to be going now in order to there later."

The PAC Scholars program was set up three years ago by Pioneer High School students to help shrink the achievement gap.

It runs as a mentoring program. Scholars, who are juniors and seniors with grade-point averages above 2.8, work with emerging and potential scholars, underclassmen with GPAs under 2.7. There are about 13 scholars this year.

"We're working to facilitate the transition to achievement," said Marshall Thomas, a senior with plans to go to Columbia University to study creative writing. "We want to be a role model. We want to try to level the playing field at least.

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.

Group talks about racial disparity in school achievement

Group talks about racial disparity in school achievement

It started on a playful note.

Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Katie McGee ducked under a desk and came out on the other side, at the center of a large room at Love Faithfully Ministries, a church in Leland. About 20 other desks flanked hers.

She went around talking to people and making jokes.

It was a way to break the ice on a subject that has upset black community leaders: the achievement gap between black and white students in Brunswick County, which has narrowed slightly in the past year but is far from closed. On Monday, McGee, other school officials and members of the religious community gathered at the church to once again discuss the gap.

In state standardized tests for grades 3 through 8 this year, 78.4 of black students were proficient in reading. That's 10.9 percentage points lower than white students, a gap that decreased from 13.4 last year. In math, 43.3 percent of black students were proficient this year, which brought the gap down from 27.6 percentage points last year to 27 this year.

Since the first meeting in May, cooperation has grown between local churches and the school system, McGee said. Love Faithfully Ministries now has a program that offers county students an alternative to suspension, giving them mentoring and 17 computers to work on.

"We have to get beyond the color thing," said the church's senior pastor, the Rev. Gene Brown, who launched the program at the start of this school year. "That way it doesn't become a black or white issue. It becomes an issue for the entire community."

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.

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.

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.

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.

The iZania Mentoring Program

The iZania Mentoring Program

iZania mentoring program was developed to provide a useful tool to help connect mentors and protégés across the Virtual Black Community. We want to help iZania members take advantage of opportunities to share our experiences to help each other develop and grow. This program is designed to facilitate establishment of mentoring relationships and provide a guide for mentoring discussions.

Black Professional Men, Inc. (BPM)

What is Black Professional Men, Inc.? Black Professional Men, Inc. (BPM) is a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, Maryland and established in 1991 to address the social, economic and political awareness needs of the African-American community, especially those of the African-American male. Why do we exist?

 

• Statistics on our community weigh heavily on the negative side. Whereas, the positive images go unnoticed or are given a small portion on the last page of the newspaper.
• According to reports, African-Americans have $400 billion in purchasing power. However, that $400 billion purchasing power leaves the African-American community; thereby, creating economic empowerment for other communities.
• There are many laws and legislation enacted that directly affect the African-American community. However, many African Americans are not involved in the political process.

An awareness of social, economic, and political issues empower the African-American community. Through our efforts, these issues are addressed.

If you are interested in membership then contact or join us at one of our monthly meetings which is held the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Boy Scouts Headquarters, 701 Wyman Park Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21211. You may use MapQuest.com to locate our monthly meetings. Navigate to either "Online Maps" or "Driving Directions" and key in 701 Wyman Park Drive, Baltimore, MD as your destination.

Youth Achievers USA

Youth Achievers USA

Youth Achievers USA is a 501c3 private foundation and the founding organization for THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS. The grassroots organization provides a nonprofit corporate structure through which qualifying youth, their caring adult mentors, and members of the Whole Village develop assets for sustaining a local community. As a faith-based organization, Youth Achievers USA provides meaningful local programs and opportunities for youth or young adults, ages 7-24. The organization was founded on September 7, 1993.

National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry

National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry

The BAI Mentor Program

The Harlem YMCA Black Achievers in Industry (BAI) Mentor Program is a citywide program that recruits Black Achievers who are employed by Fortune 500 corporations to serve as role models to 50 high school students annually in a one-to-one relationship.

The Mentor Program was founded in 1988 to match BAI alumni with middle school and high school students in hopes of creating future black leaders.

U.S. Dream Academy

U.S. Dream Academy

Empower at-risk children and youth to maximize their potential by providing them with the academic, social and values enrichment through supportive mentoring and the use of technology.

Through aggressive and innovative academic enrichment and mentoring, the U.S. Dream Academy is working to build the dreams of the children of prisoners and those failing in school; and to provide the tools that they need to achieve their dreams. The U.S. Dream Academy recognizes that the "digital divide" that exists in many of the nation's disadvantaged communities further divides the haves and have-nots. Development of computer skills and access to the Internet are central elements of the U.S. Dream Academy's service delivery.U.S. Dream Academy

Empower at-risk children and youth to maximize their potential by providing them with the academic, social and values enrichment through supportive mentoring and the use of technology.

Through aggressive and innovative academic enrichment and mentoring, the U.S. Dream Academy is working to build the dreams of the children of prisoners and those failing in school; and to provide the tools that they need to achieve their dreams. The U.S. Dream Academy recognizes that the "digital divide" that exists in many of the nation's disadvantaged communities further divides the haves and have-nots. Development of computer skills and access to the Internet are central elements of the U.S. Dream Academy's service delivery.

The Tutor/Mentor Connection

The Tutor/Mentor Connection

The Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) mission is: To gather and organize all that is known about successful non-school tutor/mentor programs and share that knowledge to expand the availability and enhance the effectiveness of these services to children in inner city Chicago and other poverty areas.

This mission is accomplished through a four-part strategy. 1) It aims to increase knowledge about what works, where programs are located and where more are needed. 2) It aggressively shares this knowledge in a marketing and public awareness campaign aimed at 3) creating a greater involvement of all adults, and a greater flow of essential resources to individual programs; and a 4) better understanding among all stakeholders of the long-term, integrated actions needed to help children and youth move from a birth in poverty to a job and a career. For each child this is a minimum 25-year commitment.

Sister Moms

Sister Moms

From the inception in November 1999, Sistermoms has been an informal group of African-American mothers who have gathered to discuss their issues and concerns, expand their own personal and professional networks, support, and learn from one another. Since that time, we have grown from a small, tight-knit group of nine women to an email community of over 150 African American women. Most of us are from the Washington, DC metro area, but we have Sistermoms in California, Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey and throughout the country.

Real Men Cook

Real Men Cook

Real Men Charities, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation, existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Illinois. The corporation File Number is 20-183-6. The 501c3 certificate from the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury. Tax ID number is 30-052728, per letter #1045. The organization was founded to function as the year-round extension for the Real Men Cook® events that were launched in Chicago fifteen years ago and are now presented nationally in leading U.S. cities. Programs under Real Men Charities, Inc, include Real Men Cook Dinner at Daddy's House®, an all-male Sunday dinner that includes sessions where young men can meet and discuss with older men a variety of topics, including education, career options, including careers that involve cooking, foodservice or hospitality, what it means to be a real man, community service and goal setting. Another program is Real Men Cooking With Kids®, which is a fun program involving fresh foods and to easy prepare at home meals, healthy living as well as math and science in cooking. Another is Men's Appreciation Day®, which is a presentation by adult males to young high school and elementary school males, for the purpose of sharing experiences and opportunities for responsible living. Real Men Charities, Inc. is the national not-for-profit organization that presents the Real Men Cook® events. Funds are used to build and continue programs to honor fathers and father figures, to empower families and perpetuate the memory and spirit of Karega Kofi Moyo and Yvette Jackson Moyo, who founded the annual Father's Day event. This is done by the encouragement and promotion of education through voluntary grants, by scholarships or otherwise to individuals, institutions, and organizations.

   

PAZZAZ

PAZZAZ

Many children who fail academically do not have learning problems. More often, they are caused by a variety of factors. In many cases, it’s because they don’t believe they can succeed.

PAZZAZ works closely and individually with students, helping them believe in themselves and in their ability to succeed. PAZZAZ also works with and teachers to surround children with an environment that fosters and supports progress.

Concerned Black Men

Concerned Black Men Through the work of a nationwide network of volunteers located in 22 U.S. cities, and in Pretoria, South Africa, and an experienced and credentialed staff located in Washington, DC, CBM conducts programs and projects to support youth and strengthen their families.

The Algebra Project

The Algebra Project

The Algebra Project is a national mathematics literacy effort aimed at helping low income students and students of color--particularly African American and Latino/a students--successfully achieve mathematical skills that are a prerequisite for a college preparatory mathematics sequence in high school full citizenship in today's technological society.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women

The NCBW mission is the development of socially conscious female leaders who are committed to furthering equity and empowerment for women of color in the society-at-large, improving the environment of their neighborhoods, rebuilding their communities and enhancing the quality of public and private resources for the growth and development of disadvantaged youths. NCBW is dedicated to community service, the creation of wealth for social change, the enhancement of career opportunities for women of color through networking and strategically designed programs and the empowerment of women of color to meet their diverse needs.

   

100 Black Men of America

100 Black Men of America

The mission of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.

The Frederick Douglass Organization

The Frederick Douglass Organization    

Frederick Douglass, IV and his wife B.J., founders of The Frederick Douglass Organization (FDO) are dedicated to perpetuating the legacy of Frederick IV's great-great grand father the famed orator, author and statesmen and editor through lecturing and re-enacting speeches and life episodes of his great grandfather Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey Douglass.

    

One of the major thrusts of this organization is to promote financial literacy, bridge the digital divide, promote small businesses, economic development and to save our youth. FDO awards scholarships to deserving students and makes them aware that the genesis of transforming their lives revolves around providing them with opportunities to enhance their reading, writing, and oratorical skills through involving them in real life, real time experiences that serve to enhance their skills in these vital areas as well as build self esteem.

Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood

Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood

Mentoring Male Teens in The Hood was started by Cameron Miles as an effort to help raise young boys who live in environmentally challenging environments into responsible men.

The boys are between the ages of 8 and 18 and from the Baltimore Metropolitan area as well as throughout the entire State of Maryland.The boys are also from any ethnicity, race and economic group.

On Our Shoulders

On Our Shoulders

The On Our Shoulders program was created out of the empathy felt by its founder, Ray Cook, as he watched countless youths die and become victims of violence on the streets of Baltimore.

The counseling, education and skills training offered by On Our Shoulders helps young people develop career potential and connections to advanced education.

The program components include:

• Group Sessions
• On The Job Training
• Skill Enhancements
• Criminal Assessment

Advanced education will be based on academic performance, attendance, punctuality, and commitment to the program. Our youth will need to demonstrate a high degree of motivation within the program to receive a court representation and assessment verification.

Youth Achievers USA

Youth Achievers USA

Youth Achievers USA is a 501c3 private foundation and the founding organization for THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS. The grassroots organization provides a nonprofit corporate structure through which qualifying youth, their caring adult mentors, and members of the Whole Village develop assets for sustaining a local community. As a faith-based organization, Youth Achievers USA provides meaningful local programs and opportunities for youth or young adults, ages 7-24. The organization was founded on September 7, 1993.

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.

100 Strong Male Role Models

From the Afro American Newspaper:

100 Strong Male Role Models, an organization with its genesis at Woodlawn High School, which for years scrambled to find its identity, and only in this academic year actually became 100 strong, has not only conquered Woodlawn High, it now wants to go national, all in the space of one academic year. This is a bold move for any organization, but particularly for an organization which is largely lead and regulated by its high school membership.

They are determined to spread the good word about the 100 Strong organization and establish new chapters. Their mission will take them to five states within in a three month period.

The organization was started at Woodlawn High School in 1991 by Joseph Wolfolk, a History Teacher, who believed that remarkable things could happen to turn-around any school if a positive tone and high academic standards were set by a significant number of male students who were developed into role models, specifically 100.

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Throughout the year these young men have been engaged in school beautification projects, providing peer mentoring at Woodlawn High and Woodlawn Middle School, food collection drives, providing landscaping services at Benjamin Banneker Museum, marching in parades, and appearing at public speaking engagements.

Moreover, the program has proven its ability to turn many of its members around academically, shifting them from mediocrity to excellence and on the road to college and futures.

Each boy is carefully groomed and monitored by peer members.

Their actions and discipline have gained them the respect of fellow Woodlawn students who recognize them as school leaders.

Etiquette, good manners, courtesy in speech and behavior, self respect and respect for others are all attributes which are emphasized by the organization.

From the Baltimore Examiner

Black Men Train To Mentor

Black men train today to mentor young males

Professional black men, including doctors, businessmen, athletes, coaches and administrators, will gather starting today at the Westin Hotel downtown to begin a three-day training session on how to mentor and tutor young black males.

The meeting is hosted by the Cincinnati Chapter of 100 Black Men, part of 100 Black Men of America Inc. The group is a voluntary service organization, dedicated to helping black men grow into adulthood and find useful careers, said John Moore, president of the Cincinnati chapter.

"The training forum is one of several that will be held across the country this year to make sure our members understand and use the 100 Black Men training model, designed for urban youths," Moore said.

He said the model deals with instilling self-respect, teaching self-reliance and identifying worth.

Black men train today to mentor young males

Professional black men, including doctors, businessmen, athletes, coaches and administrators, will gather starting today at the Westin Hotel downtown to begin a three-day training session on how to mentor and tutor young black males.

The meeting is hosted by the Cincinnati Chapter of 100 Black Men, part of 100 Black Men of America Inc. The group is a voluntary service organization, dedicated to helping black men grow into adulthood and find useful careers, said John Moore, president of the Cincinnati chapter.

"The training forum is one of several that will be held across the country this year to make sure our members understand and use the 100 Black Men training model, designed for urban youths," Moore said.

He said the model deals with instilling self-respect, teaching self-reliance and identifying worth.

New Light Leadership Coalition, Inc

New Light Leadership Coalition, Inc.

New Light Leadership Coalition (NLLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is governed and managed for youth, by youth. Our mission is to empower youth through a holistic, peer-centered approach to leadership development by teaching, training, and uniting youth leaders.

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Young people in the streets, the schools, the basketball courts, the barber shops, the hair salons, the mall, the PAL Centers, all around the city need to know that there are peer leaders who are concerned about our current condition. NLLC is dedicated to being a part of the solution rather than dwelling on problems of the past. We know that the potential is there for positive change to be made, and we are on the front lines of that change. We hope that the Youth Empowerment Movement will help improve the attitude that young people have about themselves and that adults have about us. NLLC is on the front line of that change. We are one of the few youth-governed organizations that truly seek to empower rather than pacify the warrior spirit in our peers.

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The Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP)  is a comprehensive guide to leadership development for young people. Topics covered include the areas of personal, social, educational, economic, political, technological, and organizational development. This holistic course of study prepares young leaders to be proficient in all aspects of life.  Select one of the options above for more information about the training programs offered by New Light Leadership Coalition, Inc.

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In addition to our training program, NLLC provides the Youth Leadership Development Workbook as a year-round resource for emerging youth leaders. It addresses issues such as conflict resolution, working with people, budgeting, organizational development, goal setting, networking, personal development, the principles of leadership, and more. This valuable resource mirrors our training program in content and is often used in conjunction with the YLDP. The Youth Leadership Development Workbook is a comprehensive guide to youth who wish to prepare themselves for leadership.