MLK Day 2020: Defining the Next Narrative for Black America
“Freedom is experienced as deliberation, decision and responsibility.” —Martin Luther King Jr. It’s time for black leaders to end our Stepin Fetchit approach to racial equity. Overemphasizing our failings has unified friend and foe in defining black people by poverty, pathology, and
Detroit raised him. Now this designer is bringing up the next generation of clothing makers.
Along Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion, a historic shopping district on Livernois Avenue between McNichols and 8 Mile roads, construction is making it next to impossible to find a place to park near Three Thirteen, a boutique founded and curated by
The Largest Black-Owned Bank Teams Up With BMe Community To Close The Racial Wealth Gap
Last week, the trailer for The Banker was released, which is a film that tells the story of one of the first Black banks in America in the 1950-60s. Over fifty years later, OneUnited Bank is the largest Black-owned bank in America
BMe Uniting Black Veterans For Love & Power To The People
Patriotism. Veteran. Service. What comes to mind when you hear these words? With a quick Google search of the word “veteran,” the image that seems to become redundant and often engrained in the minds of most is not that of
The Deficit Framing of Black Entrepreneurship in Foundations, Corporations, and Media
On a daily basis we are bombarded with negative news and alarming statistics about Black individuals and communities. The negative representation of Black people is well documented, and reverberates through the representation of Black entrepreneurs. Too often, governments and leading
D.C. Full of Young Nipseys Eager to Innovate and Dismantle Injustice
When Nipsey Hussle (born Ermias Asghedom) passed, the world lost something special. We lost our brother. Our community lost a revolutionary thinker. The world lost an innovator. The murder of Nipsey shook the hip-hop world and community. His sudden and
Giving Circles: Growing Community By Elevating Black Women + Girls of Color
An Interview With The South Side Queenmakers This is the fourth in our new blog series featuring Giving Circles – groups of friends, family, and neighbors who gather to learn about issues that interest them and pool money to fund greater
The traditional mental health system is failing the black community
African-Americans need better access to mental health facilities and practitioners who understand the black experience According to the 2019 State of Mental Health in America Report published by Mental Health America, Pennsylvania has a relatively low prevalence of mental illness
It’s time we listen to words of Frederick Douglass
Despite what you may have heard, abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass died in 1895. Still, the racial America Douglass exhorted to live up to its ideals languishes, particularly though the lens of a Rochester, NY speech he gave 167 years
Military spends more on Viagra than on transgender recruits. So why ban trans?
The transgender community is under attack by the federal government, and President Trump is leading the charge. On June 14, a federal appeals court ordered a judge to reconsider her ruling against Trump’s decision to ban transgender people from the military. The
‘You Can’t Lift People Up by Putting Them Down’: How to Talk About Tough Issues of Race, Poverty, and More
Have you noticed that social-impact organizations working with black people often describe them in language that is so offensive that we wouldn’t dare use it to their faces? The “at-risk, low-income, minorities in high-crime, high-poverty, disadvantaged communities whom we seek
Delaware student’s quest to memorialize a lynching is inspiring
Rhonda Bryant is a national advocate for racial equity. Howard Stevenson is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. They lead an initiative called Forward Promise, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. On June 23, a historical
BMe Community commemorates 400 years of Black people in America with announcement of the “Next Narrative for Black America”
Campaign is focused on “Asset-Framing” – fresh messaging for elevating the Black community’s strengths as key to achieving greater gains. Campaign includes fellowships to build critical skills and increase community impact, and a national conference for Black leaders to collaborate
Why Louisville should invest in dads, not try to criminalize them
As a university professor, I am sometimes contacted by our public relations department with opportunities to speak about my research or to offer an opinion on a topic for which I’ve been deemed to have some expertise. Given my interest
The Challenge of Negotiating Race in Cross-Sector Spaces
We must take on the difficult work of accounting for race and racism in our collective change-making endeavors or face the risk of failing to undo systemic inequities. In 2016, when I started researching the successes and failures of cross-sector partnerships like My
OPINION: ‘Punitive discipline makes school feel like a prison, not a community’
Four ways to stop undermining education and educators During horseplay with friends, a young man — a high school student — had shoved an elderly woman. Now, he risked suspension. I was working in the student’s school as a staff
BMe Philly Made An Impact In October
“I am an invisible man…I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids—and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.” – Ralph Ellison,
2018 National Black Male Educators Convening – Interview with BMe Genius Vincent Cobb and BMe Champion Sharif El-Mekki
Check out this on the spot interview during the 2nd National Black Male Educators Convening October 13, 2018 in Downtown Philadelphia with Sharif El-Mekki and Vincent Cobb Jr the co-founders of The Fellowship of Black Male Educators for Social Justice
OneUnited Bank unveils “Take a Knee” Campaign
9-Week Giveback Campaign to Support Social Justice In an unprecedented move, OneUnited Bank, the largest Black owned bank in America, unveils the “Take A Knee” Campaign with a stunning masterpiece, Last Man Standing, by internationally acclaimed artist Addonis Parker. The
Seasons Change But BMe Philly Geniuses Stay The Same
Cooler weather, back to school, changing leaves and pumpkin spice everything!!! Fall is upon us and members of the BMe Philly community are headed full-steam ahead into October. Several BMe Leaders and Geniuses spent the month of September facilitating workshops,
BMe Philly Genius Brandon T. Jones Talks About Authentic Entrepreneurship
Listen to BMe Philly Geniuses Brandon T. Jones on Community Voice Radio Talk Show 106.5FM in Philly as he talks about how to transform the community through authentic entreprenuership,
BMe Genius Herm Davis Spreading The Message of Peace and Love!
Listen to Philly BMe Genius Herman Davis as he talks about the importance of building strong communities through Peace and Love. He also shares about the vital need for art to be a healing form of therapy.
BMe Philly Welcomes Students Back To School!
It’s “Back to School Season” and this month BMe Philly continued to honor its commitment to the community through a variety of resource based programs aimed at providing information, support and resources to youth during this crucial time of year!
Philly BMe Genius Thomas Butler Provide Insights On Educational Tips
Listen to Philly BMe Genius Thomas Butler on Community Voice Radio Talk Show as he shares educational insights that can help to change and transform the lives of the youth and families in our communities.
International Day of Remembrance to be Observed at African Cemetary
On Sunday, August 19, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition (officially August 23) will be observed by the Key West community and friends at the African Cemetery memorial
BMe Philly Genius Jim Burnett Talks About How To Invest In Our Youth
On this episode of Community Voice Radio Talk Show, host and BMe Genius Jeff Jones interviews Bria Young of Bria Young Basketball. Bria is the 14th woman to play for the world famous Harlem Globe Trotters. She also has a
PEACE WEEK 2018 – Philly BMe Genius Anton Moore
Peace Week, is one of the most important and well-known events of the year in South Philadelphia. It is an opportunity to interact with community members, support parents that have lost children to gun violence and to provide free resources
BMe Genuis Fellow Opens Student Technology Center in Miami
Affirming YOUth Foundation receives $25,000 from AT&T to support the new afterschool learning lab Miami, FL – July 22,2018- Affirming YOUth Foundation, with generous support from AT&T, is proud to announce a new computer tech after-school experience for Miami-Dade students
Summer In The City, The BMe Philly Way
For most, summer is a time of year to kick back, relax and refuel. But for BMe Philly’s Community Champions and Geniuses’ this is a time to continue the work of building, connecting and follow through. It is the time
Gubernatorial Appointee to Host Meet and Greet Happy Hour
(PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA) Black Enterprise and The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts proudly support Emmy Award-winning Director Emmai Alaquiva is celebrating his gubernatorial appointment to the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts and as well as being selected as a Be Modern
May 2018 BMe Philly Shining Bright!
May was indeed a month for the BMe Philly Community to shine bright! Through a variety of events, programs, presentations, and workshops. May was a month filled to capacity with positivity, collaboration, engagement, resource sharing, and celebration. From the “Healing
BMe Community awards top honors for local Black men doing good in the community
BMe Community Genius Fellowship will be awarded to 30 Black Men from Akron, Louisville, Miami, and Pittsburgh for their devotion to strengthening their communities. Each fellow is granted $10,000, national recognition, training, and resources to support their community project. Projects
OneUnited Bank & BMe Community announces “I Got Bank” Financial Literacy Contest
OneUnited Bank, the nation’s largest Black bank, is proud to announce its 8th Annual “I Got Bank!” Financial Literacy Contest where ten children will win a $1,000 savings account for the best essays and the best art projects that represent the “I Got Bank!” theme.
BMe Geniuses in Philly Trusting The Process
That amazing story above about Philly BMe Genius Will Little won an Emmy! BMe Philly Community gathered to connect, inform, strategize and mobilize On April 9th, BMe Geniuses Jeff Jones and Omar Barlow hosted an informal networking and information session
Hear What They’re Saying! Philly BMe Geniuses On The Radio!
About Community Voice Radio Talk Show on 106.5FM in Philadelphia Much too often all we hear are negative denigrating narratives about people in our City. This is especially true when it comes to people of color in our society. Community
BMe Philly Geniuses Making A Difference
BMe Philly Geniuses are always on the innovating edge of dealing with the most challenging social issues in a solutions oriented way. For example check out the above video of BMe Genius Dr. Howard Stevenson’s powerful TEDMED Talk on “How to Resolve Racially
Celebrate the Start of the School Year BMe Style
Parents take immense pleasure in their children’s achievement of early milestones whether it be first smile, first tooth, first steps, or first word, parents can’t seem to help themselves. And it’s no different for their child’s first day of school.
Foundations Are Deepening Racism Even as They Seek to Fight It
Reprinted from Chronicle of Philanthropy, July 25, 2017 Ever since President Lyndon Johnson declared the War on Poverty in 1964, foundations have adopted a D-Day-style approach to joining in the fight: Nonprofit leaders (mostly white people) are the Allies landing
Are Black Men the Hidden Geniuses Building Our Community?
Reprinted from Huffington Post, June 20, 2017 Starting on Father’s Day, BMe Community recognized 29 inspired black men as Community Geniuses and award each $10,000 for programs they’re leading to “build more caring and prosperous communities” in Akron, Miami, Philadelphia
Network of Black Men Deposit $1M in the Nation’s Largest Black Bank
Reprinted from Essence Online, Aug 19, 2016 By Rachaell Davis BMe, a national nonprofit of Black men, joins the #BankBlack movement in a major way. A successful, Black-owned non-profit is doing their part to grow wealth in the African-American community. The BMe Community is
7th Annual “I Got Bank!” Essay And Art Contest For Youth
Join Us To Promote Financial Literacy For Youth! OneUnited Bank and BMe Community are sponsoring the seventh annual financial literacy contest for youth between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. Simply either write and submit a 250 word
Question: How do we get black men involved in their communities? Answer: They already are.
WRITTEN BY By Courtland Milloy Columnist Washington Post. When he was at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Trabian Shorters wanted to find ways to get black men more involved in the civic life of their neighborhoods. So
#BlackMenLove: Top 5 Documented Reasons to Love Black Men
[Reposted from Huffington Post, Sept. 08, 2016] I encourage you to type “#BlackMenLove” into your favorite search engine for a surprising result. Today, most what’s said about Black men isn’t flattering and leaves out important facts. I know, because as a Black
5 Reasons You Should #SpendBlack Even if You’re White
[Reposted from NBC August 18, 2016] This time it was Milwaukee. Shootings, protests, violence and the deepening sense that we’re coming apart along racial lines. So, what’s the non-activist to do about it? A white friend of mine said to
Beloved Community
BMe Community is a beloved community specifically because we see three truths and are moving in step with our times. America’s Future Is Changing. American identity and narrative are absolutely changing, right now, the largest generation in history (The Baby