Boys and Young Men of Color
Vision Statement
Boys and young men of color live in a different America—an America that both sees and treats them differently, resulting in a unique set of barriers to reaching their full potential. At the Y, we believe that all youth deserve the opportunity to thrive. That’s why we’re committed to building sustainable pathways for success through the YMCA Boys and Young Men of Color Strategy (BYMOC).
Launched in 2018 by the YMCA of the USA, the Boys and Young Men of Color Strategy works to ensure equitable outcomes for boys and young men of color ages 11-17 by removing systemic barriers, providing relevant services and support systems, and creating nurturing environments that provide confidence and growth.
Goals
The Boys and Young Men of Color strategy is designed to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color by:
- Reducing school truancy and chronic absenteeism
- Improving graduation rates
- Helping to establish career pathways ensuring economic mobility
By 2024, the national Boys and Young Men of Color strategy seeks to achieve the following outcomes for 10,000 boys and young men of color:
- Access to high-quality, nurturing, and more culturally responsive neighborhood environments for 70% of participants.
- Reducing suspensions and improving school attendance, resulting in stabilized and improved grades for 75% of participants.
- Completed pre- and post-assessment of social-emotional learning for 100% of participants.
- Access to high quality post-secondary and career-ready pathways for 75% of participants.
Initiatives
Check out some of the programs, initiatives, and partnerships that support our local BYMOC strategy:
• Foster their positive cultural- and self-identity.
• Support opportunities for community connections and civic engagement.
• Support character development across the Y’s core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility.
• Provide work-based learning experiences, financial education, skills development, career and college opportunities, as well as resource navigation opportunities.
• Instill belief in their capabilities.
• Prepare them with skills to achieve academic success.
• Teach them about lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic conditions in adulthood such as diabetes and heart disease.
• Combat their experiences with food insecurity.
Meet Our Boys and Young Men of Color Committee:
Adrianne Hobbs, Senior Vice President
Amanda Wilkinson, Association Director of Youth Development
Christina Bellamy, Executive Director
Crystal Little, Associate Executive Director
Donna Bigham, Chief Financial Officer
Doug Sarver, Vice President of Human Resources
Jemarion Young, Executive Director
Joyce Tompkins, Vice President of Membership
Kamal Shaw, DEIB Coordinator
Natalia Flores, APR, Senior Marketing Director
Niambi Goings, Executive Director
River Lewis, High School Initiatives Manager
Sue Glass, Chief Executive Officer