Leveraging Partnerships for Black-Centered Youth Programming
Abstract
The Black Boys Better program is a pioneering initiative designed to address challenges faced by Black male middle and high school students focusing on mentorship, mental health support, and emotional resilience in underserved communities in Georgia. This program demonstrates the power of leveraging multisector partnerships to create effective, culturally responsive programming that centers the lived experiences and needs of Black youth.
The program’s success is rooted in its collaborative approach, bringing together schools, mental health counselors, community leaders, and Black male mentors to develop holistic strategies that promote mental health awareness and offer positive leadership opportunities. By working in partnerships, these stakeholders have maximized their collective impact, bridging gaps in funding, resources, and services that have historically hindered progress in Black communities.
The Black Boys Better program uses effective principles to guide and engage Black youth in activities related to personal development, behavioral health education, and academic achievement through the following objectives:
- Effective mentoring through identifying strengths and utilizing skills in personal and academic performance
- Structured curriculum that celebrates Black male achievement and highlights intentional paths to success
- Achieving developmental milestones through addressing trauma experiences with problem solving and emotional regulation
- Providing a comprehensive support system that comprises of multiple Black male mentors who can speak to the lived experiences of Black boys
- Sustainable programming that will build personal relationships with Black boys to maximize impact and rooted connections
The Black Boys Better program serves as a model for how communities can leverage partnerships to create effective, Black-centered programming that not only addresses mental health challenges but also fosters long-term empowerment and resilience in young Black boys. The presentation will provide practical insights on how other organizations can replicate and adapt similar models to address critical issues affecting Black youth in their own regions.
Keywords
Black youth, mentorship, community partnerships, mental health, equity in education, multisector collaboration
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Leveraging Partnerships for Black-Centered Youth Programming
The Black Boys Better program is a pioneering initiative designed to address challenges faced by Black male middle and high school students focusing on mentorship, mental health support, and emotional resilience in underserved communities in Georgia. This program demonstrates the power of leveraging multisector partnerships to create effective, culturally responsive programming that centers the lived experiences and needs of Black youth.
The program’s success is rooted in its collaborative approach, bringing together schools, mental health counselors, community leaders, and Black male mentors to develop holistic strategies that promote mental health awareness and offer positive leadership opportunities. By working in partnerships, these stakeholders have maximized their collective impact, bridging gaps in funding, resources, and services that have historically hindered progress in Black communities.
The Black Boys Better program uses effective principles to guide and engage Black youth in activities related to personal development, behavioral health education, and academic achievement through the following objectives:
- Effective mentoring through identifying strengths and utilizing skills in personal and academic performance
- Structured curriculum that celebrates Black male achievement and highlights intentional paths to success
- Achieving developmental milestones through addressing trauma experiences with problem solving and emotional regulation
- Providing a comprehensive support system that comprises of multiple Black male mentors who can speak to the lived experiences of Black boys
- Sustainable programming that will build personal relationships with Black boys to maximize impact and rooted connections
The Black Boys Better program serves as a model for how communities can leverage partnerships to create effective, Black-centered programming that not only addresses mental health challenges but also fosters long-term empowerment and resilience in young Black boys. The presentation will provide practical insights on how other organizations can replicate and adapt similar models to address critical issues affecting Black youth in their own regions.
