Overview
By most social indicators, the well-being of African American men and boys is in a precarious state (see The State of Black America 2007: Portrait of the Black Male). Black male youth have higher rates of grade failure, dropping out, suspension, and special education placement than do any other demographic group. The number of black boys who graduate from high school and enroll in college is also smaller than the national average.
We believe in the importance of a college education as a vehicle for economic and social mobility. Through the College Bound Brotherhood, we seek to expand the number of young black men in the Bay Area who enroll in and complete a college education.
The College Bound Brotherhood was initially named the Black Boys College Bound Initiative. After reflecting on what we learned during the first year of the initiative, our hope is to build a larger community of organizations, not limited to grantees, who are dedicated to creating high academic expectations and a college bound culture for young black men in the Bay Area.
- See the press coverage from the June 8 College Bound Celebration!
- Read our commentary in Philanthropy News Digest (8/14/09): Make a Socially Responsible Investment in Young Black Men.
- Read the Summary of First Year Findings (pdf)
Please note that we are not accepting grant requests for the initiative until Spring 2010.
HISTORY
In 2004, concerned with the lack of black male candidates and participants in the education programs at Level Playing Field Institute (our sister organization), we commissioned an overview of academic programs across the nation that work specifically with black men and boys. College Bound Brotherhood builds on these findings from the document, Addressing the Shame of Higher Education.
The Black Boys College Bound Initiative was launched in January 2008. We selected 11 grant recipient organizations, mostly from San Francisco and Alameda counties. The first phase of the Initiative lasted through June 2009.
- Summary of First Year Findings (pdf)
- Guidelines & Application (background information on the application process)
- College Bound Brotherhood Strategy and Research (from launch meeting presentation)
