Concerned Black men make a difference
Non-profit helps youth, especially males
Concerned Black Men (CBM) was founded in 1975 after five African American Philadelphia police officers: Louis Abrams, Harry Crudup, Charles Harris, Stephen Lyles and Charles Patton took it upon themselves to provide positive after-school activities for at-risk youth in their community.
They took money out of their own pockets to sponsor social events for these youngsters.
CBMLA was established in 2003 as an independent non-profit organization and strives to provide quality youth and adult services such as teen pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, mentoring, tutoring, and literacy programs to African American communities throughout the Los Angeles County area.
“We have many challenges ahead that are unique to our culture. Our community is continuously being splintered into the have and have-nots, those with education and financial stability and those without it. Many youth are faced with unhealthy choices like drugs and gangs, as well as the media, with rap videos and messages that tell our youth to get what you can no matter who you need to step on,” said President Jason McCuller, about why he is dedicated to making a change through the non-profit.
“I’m motivated to see a change in culture and status of our African American males, especially with their low graduation rates and low college enrollment. Many of our members are comfortable and grateful, and we want to give back. We aren’t trying to exclude young Black females but they seem to be doing much better and are generally more dedicated to getting a good education. So many of our young Black men have been brainwashed by society and the rap game, and we have to get them back on the right track. When I went back East and visited the national organization in D.C., I realized that I wanted to start a chapter here (in Los Angeles) because we have so many young Black men who could use that kind of help,” said McCuller.
“With many African American non-profits, the turnover rate for new members is difficult, we are always striving to push membership, and get our numbers up with some really dedicated members. We need more volunteers who can help organize,” said the president, when asked about challenges the organization has faced.
The newest program that CBMLA is working on is “Welcome to Manhood” which provides young men, ages 11 to 19, with a series of workshops that promote education, life skills, etiquette, effective communication, interviewing skills, money/time management, career training, and college preparatory skills. The non-profit is working in partnership with the Friends of Hyde Park Miriam Matthew Library to offer the training.
“So far the program has been very successful, with 20 to 25 kids showing up for each workshop,” said McCuller.
The next installment of the program begins September 25, and will be held the last Saturday of every month. “Welcome to Manhood” is free to the youngsters, and includes snacks, T-shirts, games and other giveaways to provide incentives for youth to participate.
Concerned Black Men strives to genuinely improve the lives and the conditions of Black children, and their vision is to create more positive Black male role models in struggling communities by providing mentors and programs that offer valuable assistance to youth. The goal of men offering themselves as positive role models to children has remained CBM’s mission for more than 30 years.
For more information on the organization, and to find out how you can help, visit www.cbmla.org or call (213) 359-3378.
The Junior Firefighter Youth Foundation was founded in 2003 and is a community-based organization that aims to mentor, train and develop young minds for the future. Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Brent Burton is the CEO/founder of the foundation and County Fire Chief Deputy Daryl L. Osby serves as the director.
Burton is also the current president of the African American Firefighter Museum and former president of the Stentorians of Los Angeles County.
The foundation has created and developed the Junior Fire Cadet Program.
The WOCI, Women of Color Inc. entertainment networking group is hosting “Girl’s Night Out: Shopping 4 A Cause,” a holiday shopping cultural event at the California African American Museum to raise money for its Black Beauty Shop Health Outreach Program (BBSHOP). More than 400 women are expected to come out on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.
L.A. GOAL (Greater Opportunities for Advanced Living) was founded in 1969 by a group of parents whose teenagers with developmental disabilities were graduating from high school.
At first, L.A. GOAL was as a social club with informal lessons on the essentials of daily life, including reading, writing, grooming and hygiene, understanding money and, the basics of social interaction.
The Compton Jr. Posse (CJP) was developed to provide inner-city youth with year round, after school alternatives to the lure of the gang and drug lifestyles.
For more than 20 years, the Compton Jr. Posse has given inner city kids hope by teaming them with horses, and through equestrian activities, youth develop responsibility, discipline and self-esteem. They also learn to set and achieve both academic and career goals.
In 1866, two U.S. Army African American regiments were formed called the 9th and 10th cavalries. Members of these two cavalry units as well as two all-Black infantry regiments, the 24th and 25th, came to be called Buffalo Soldiers.
By 1867, the first Buffalo Soldier units were sent to the West to fight Indians and protect settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews. They distinguished themselves, so much that they won the respect of their enemies they were fighting—the Native Americans.
