Introduction from Marcus Littles
The philanthropic community is continuing to
grow in its collective interest, understanding, and investment in
improving the life outcomes of marginalized males. A growing number of
examples of foundation initiatives are creating greater access to
opportunity.
To have a noticeable impact on quality-of-life outcomes for
marginalized males, philanthropy must find opportunities to collaborate
with government and the private sector. On March 19th, New
Possibilities: A Conversation About Public & Private Responses to
the Marginalization of American Males took place in Washington DC. This
was the first in an ongoing series of conversations between members of
the philanthropic community and federal representatives of the National
Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities regarding the
intersections of their respective efforts to improve outcomes among
marginalized males.
It is an example of the work that we are all just now scratching the
surface of. We must continue to think, imagine, strategize, and
cooperate in order to move the needle forward in this work. It is
crucial to our vision for America.
Thanks for your commitment!
Marcus J. Littles
Chief Executive
Frontline Solutions
Gang Initiatives Need Collaboration to Be Effective
by Paul Bachleitner
Increasing membership in street gangs has led to a run on crime and
violence since the middle of this decade, particularly in communities
where marginalized males live. But a number of recent efforts have
found success in turning the tide through collaboration between
philanthropy, government, and concerned neighborhoods and citizens.
One such effort is the Metro Denver Gang Coalition. It began in 2007
after the New Year’s Day shooting death of Denver Bronco football
player, Derrant Williams, galvanized the community around gang-related
violence.
“Until they hear about it, people don’t think they have an issue,” said
the executive director of Denver’s Crime Prevention and Control
Commission, Regina Huerter. “But it doesn’t go away.”
Huerter should know. She participated in earlier Denver gang
initiatives during the 90s that fizzled after funding dried up in 2002.
However, after the shooting she was able to bring people together from
a wide spectrum of the community to form the coalition.
Seed money from The Denver Foundation helped the coalition get started.
Support from government agencies (including the federal government’s
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which provides
the Comprehensive Gang Model that forms the coalition’s framework), the
Denver Police Department, and other philanthropic, civic, and community
supporters has helped the coalition grow.
The mayor and city council, employment trainers, area merchants,
churches, corrections agencies, the police department, grassroots
community-based organizations, youth development-oriented nonprofits,
and social service agencies all play major roles in the program’s
comprehensive approach towards responding to gang-related issues.
“Our effort is not to just have a program but rather a comprehensive
system to create the changes necessary in the community,” Huerter said.
Particularly for minority male youths. Target communities benefiting
from the coalition’s work range from African American to Latino to
Cambodian and Vietnamese.
Preliminary data shows a significant reduction in crime and violence in
the target areas. But more important is cooperation and hope. Police
are phoning community groups and coalition members when they observe
trouble. Coalition outreach teams mobilize quickly to respond to
community concerns and offer proactive solutions, such as job readiness
and placement opportunities.
“The model is a youth development framework,” Huerter said. “Far more
strategic than just programs focusing on gangs.”
Philadelphia Youth Mentoring Event Stresses Communication
by Katerina Rojas
On Friday, February 20th, Motivational Educational Entertainment
(MEE) hosted an event at the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania,
“Engaging African American Males in Youth Mentoring Opportunities.” 
In attendance were a number of non-profit
organizations and advocacy groups, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters
America and representatives from the Philadelphia mayor’s office.
Senior Vice President of Community Impact at the United Way of
Southeastern Pennsylvania, David Fair, hosted the event with an
interactive discussion about connecting successfully with African
American male youth, including strategies for effective engagement and
outreach. He advocated persuasive communication as a tool to strengthen
the community and engage community members with a cause.
The need of mentoring for African American male youth served as one of
Fair’s examples.
“African American male youth have something called sustained urban
trauma,” he said. “There are lots of traumatic issues they face on a
daily basis.”
Many youth are not fully engaged and healthy relationships are rare, he
said. Mentoring is a way to build sustainable and fruitful
relationships through community involvement and communication. He noted
that “everyone needs the village,” implying that non-parental, positive
adult influence is necessary to reach out to young black males.
He also stated a need for communication strategies that are oral, and
not literacy based. Using pamphlets and documents for outreach to black
males would not be effective. Communication based in oral culture more
actively engages both the receiver and the sender of a message.
When this occurs, he said, outreach groups will be in a better position
to recruit because youths will be motivated to return to their
communities and spread the word.
Native Group Seeks Support for Native Men to Attend School
by Beth Castle
The average Lakota man will not live beyond
the age of 45 years old in South Dakota, based on data collected in
2006 and reported recently by USA Today. It is the grimmest statistic
for early mortality of any demographic group in the entire country.
This and the additional challenges of alcoholism, diabetes, meth use,
gender violence, near total unemployment on reservations, and an
overrepresentation of Native men in jail have led an indigenous
collective of concerned organizers to action.
They formed a new community and student group, Native Alliance for Just
Intellectual Needs. The acronym, NAJIN, is a Lakota word meaning “to
stand.”
The group’s primary goal is to promote recruitment and retention of
Native college students, particularly Native men. Native women heavily
outnumber men as students in tribal colleges and universities. The
disparity has resulted in a rise in gang membership among Native men.
NAJIN’s main organizers are Native male
university students with close connections to other talented Native men
who aren’t attending school and who may only need a helping hand to
find a better path.
Although NAJIN is currently focused on the Native Nations of South
Dakota, it plans to expand to the surrounding area. It is currently
seeking support to hold a major conference of area students to discuss
opportunities and challenges.
Support and contributions are being received on behalf of the NAJIN by
Warrior Women, a project of the Tides Center, P.O. Box 29907 San
Francisco, CA 94129-0907. For further information, email najingroup@gmail.com.
