Summary
Our groundbreaking report was published in 2010, written as a call to action for America to begin strategically addressing the problems that hinder Black men and boys. It laid out a comprehensive agenda of reform that, if implemented, would significantly change the life trajectory of Black men and boys.
The 2025 Campaign for Black Men and Boys focused its work in five key areas: education, fatherhood and families, employment and wealth, health, and criminal justice.
By 2025, they dreamed of a world where Black boys are highly educated, Black men are anchored in the economic
mainstream, Black boys see in their fathers promising futures, and entire communities of Black families are physically and emotionally healthy.
“Despite the fact that some men have overcome social and economic barriers, the fact remains that structural and systemic roadblocks exist. Improving outcomes for Black men and boys requires fi rst acknowledging and then addressing pernicious obstacles that keep so many from succeeding.”
“A subset of Black men have made signifi cant progress in the last several decades, but a large segment of Black men and boys in America remain in a state of crisis. It’s far too expedient and simplistic to point to some Black men’s success as evidence that opportunity is out there for the taking.”
“We believe that creating the political will to narrow the gaps in academic achievement, access to meaningful employment, parenting efficacy and measures of health and well-being requires creating an authentic narrative of who we are.”
Takeaways
- Changing the landscape for Black men, youth, and boys requires tremendous commitment from all sectors and levels of government and society. It is a commitment that is both necessary and long overdue.
- Policy makers can use the ideas and recommendations presented in this paper to be more intentional about their consideration of the needs of Black males as they deliberate about policies.
- Advocates and organizers in communities can use the ideas and recommendations presented to work for local change.
- Direct service organizations can consider how their services meet the needs of Black men and boys in their communities.
