$100,000 to organizations that provide critical support to Black men and boys
To support the needs of Black male residents, the Mayor’s Office for Black Male Advancement is awarding $100,000 to 25 organizations committed to supporting and improving outcomes for Black men and boys in Boston. The grants are funded through the My Brother’s Keeper FY22 budget.
“Supporting our black-led community organizations is essential to ensuring Boston is a city for everyone,” said F.Rank Farrow, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Advancement. “Black Male Advancement is thrilled to support the critical work of 25 organizations in the Boston area and build their capacity with technical assistance, leading to a stronger support network for Black men and boys in our city.”
“The Black Male Advancement Team works tirelessly to support community leaders who empower Black men, boys and their families,” he said. Mariangely Solis Cervera, Head of Equity and Inclusion. “I am deeply grateful for the grantees’ commitment to creating resources and solutions for communities of color and look forward to continuing the work alongside them.”
Twenty-five diverse, grassroots nonprofit organizations will each receive up to $7,500 for operational support and capacity building to serve the Black male community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city’s goal for these small grants was to connect with and support Black-led organizations in one of three areas: (1) financial literacy and entrepreneurship, (2) youth development and mentoring, and (3) civic organizing. The funds will be used for a variety of purposes, including basic needs assistance, mental health programs, and artist development aimed at supporting black men and boys.
“Black Male Advancement is founded on the principles of prioritizing and supporting grassroots organizations that provide essential resources to our community,” he said. Derrel Weathers, Voices of Freedom. “Now, not only is the ‘marriage’ up and running, but we’re able to hold regular events like the G’s To Gents Event, our Live Aid program! With this grant, we’re looking forward to helping 200 more people with our program. For freelancers like me, this grant was a blessing and two years later It will be my first of over fifty events if we have the money to do it.
The following organizations have been selected as this year’s grant recipients.
- a different way Career assistance programs for young black men interested in entering the real estate industry.
- Beat the odds. A summer program dedicated to the development of youth creativity, culminating in a summer art project by artists and exhibiting.
- Boston Chargers: Implementation and capacity building of the youth soccer program; Financial literacy and self-care workshops.
- Brothers Construction; Summer forums focusing on the health and well-being of Black men in the community.
- Boston Raid Youth Soccer: Practical support and mentoring support for young people who have signed up to play in the upcoming football season.
- Concerned blacks in Massachusetts: Practical support for the College Mentor Program, connecting Black males in college with resources and mentoring opportunities with youth in Boston and Massachusetts.
- Copper Civic; Healing retreats for men, investing in building the Black creative economy, and establishing an art gallery for Roxbury youth.
- Father Ball: Support for Black fathers and their children through community events, back-to-school supplies, an annual dodgeball tournament and cookout, and a monthly discussion group with fathers to discuss their perspectives on parenting and family dynamics.
- Dad and me. operational and capacity building support for community literacy programs and home libraries for families of color; Dad and Me’s First Annual Family Fun Day and Charity Show.
- Deck Box Power and Fitness: A 6 week boxing camp where students do boxing 101 and cardio courses to learn boxing fundamentals.
- Herc42Skills LLC: Operational support for community events to support youth and families with health and wellness, basic needs and school supplies.
- A king among kings; Practical support for community events and monthly meetings where black men can add value by discussing topics of interest, their businesses and future careers.
- Know yourself. Know Yourself Curriculum (Relationships Between Black Males, Blacks, Black Families, and Black Culture).
- No books, no ball. Operational assistance for youth summer basketball and mentoring programs.
- Nubian Square Foundation; It provides support to a variety of programs in a collaborative effort to restore Roxbury by helping members of the black community understand housing and development, purchase properties, and develop.
- NxT Era Panthers: Support youth through sports, mentoring, and literacy.
- One Love Sports Academy: Support for enrichment, sports and family programs and comprehensive services aimed at providing comprehensive care to Black youth and their families.
- Home Nile Publishing Company Collective support for artist events aimed at inspiring young people to read, write and express themselves.
- Rebel Cause Inc. Promote professional development opportunities for artists and establish community events that highlight local artists.
- Additional point 4 Action support for Save Our Streets/Quiet Violence weekend basketball tournament and community day event.
- New England team: Basic needs for youth support workers and developing a weekly mental health program with professional support.
- Minority Settlement Union: community dialogue with Black fathers and sons to understand the challenges of living in the Boston area; Public display of images and quotes from speeches in various places in the community.
- Freedom Voices: Expanding G to Gents, a direct assistance program that creates a safe, transformative space for men of color and marginalized communities to experience healing, personal growth, and professional development; Practical support for the Feed the Hood program, a food assistance program for families in need.
- Yard Time Fun: A series of creative sessions tailored to men of color seeking solutions to dealing with mental health.
- A young man with a plan: Summer programs related to college and career, writing, financial literacy, health/fitness, and arts and culture.
Mayor’s Office on Black Male Advancement
The Office of Black Male Advancement works to empower black men and boys and ensure they have equal opportunities in the city. The office focuses on policies, programs, resources, and local and national partnerships. In addition, BMA leads and supports the efforts of the Commission on Black Men and Boys and My Brother’s Keeper Boston. For more information, please visit the BMA website.
