Benjamin Carlton is Co-Founder and National Fellowship Director of BMe Community, a national movement of people of all races and genders who believe in valuing all members of the human family, recognizing black males as assets, and building more caring and prosperous communities together. Benjamin’s pioneering work with BMe earned him a Miami Fellows Fellowship with the Miami Foundation in 2015 and he was a finalist for Forbe Magazines 30 under 30. The central premise of BMe’s work is to identify people by their contributions rather than their deficits and then to engage them in living out their aspirational identity for themselves and society. 

The core mission of BMe Community is Benjamin’s life story. He has been breaking glass ceilings and weakening the stereotypes that have been created concerning black men in the United States. He was raised in Philadelphia, PA by his mother Gilda Henry-Rolle and step-father Ricardo Rolle who worked their best to ensure he was equipped with the tools to achieve well beyond what the cynics were saying concerning black men in the city.

Benjamin attributes his passion for community involvement to his late mentors, Benjamin Evans Sr. and Lana Felton-Ghee, who were successful community leaders and entrepreneurs. Lana had Benjamin civically involved in the Philadelphia community starting at the age of 12.  Benjamin is best known for being a strategic leader for creating and implementing innovative professional development, youth empowerment, and community enrichment programs.

Benjamin has over 10 year’s experience in social innovation, public relations, and as an executive director. For three years he directed Florida Department of the Elder Affairs STARS Program before going to work for Price Waterhouse Coopers LLC and eventually SecuriGlobe where he was marketing and brand director. He is a graduate of Florida A & M University School of Business and Industry in Tallahassee, FL where he received his bachelors in Accounting and Masters of Business Administration. He is enthusiastic about mentorship and public service and spends his time volunteering in youth and civic organizations. He resides in Los Angeles, CA.