Concerned Black Men

Background

CONCERNED BLACK MEN, INC., was founded in 1975, when five African-American police officers organized to combat the unfounded stereotype suggesting that the majority of African-American youngsters of Philadelphia belonged to gangs. The pro-active officers sought not only to recognize the positive, productive and creative endeavors of the youth, but also to organize programs highlighting their talents and enhancing both their self-esteem and education.

As the need for CONCERNED BLACK MEN, INC.'s services increased over the years, so did the diversity and number of its membership. What was once an organization composed of only five police officers has grown to over three hundred strong nationally, representing African-American men in diverse fields and from all walks of life. The concept of CBM and its steady growth required a continuity and coordination of its objectives and so on October 5, 1989, the fifth and the National Chapter of CBM was born. CBM is now a National Organization with chapters in Washington, DC; Richmond, VA; Trenton, NJ; Northern Virginia; Burlington County, NJ; New York, NY Baltimore MD and Boston MA.

In 1985, the President of the United States of America recognized Concerned Black Men, Inc., for its outstanding accomplishments in the community and presented CBM with the prestigious "Volunteer Action Award." Concerned Black Men, Inc. was one of eighteen out of over two thousand organizations to receive this award and the only African-American organization.

Objectives

• Coordinate efforts between CBM chapters nationally and identify various organizations which share our mandates for minority youth.

• To serve as an umbrella organization for our local chapters.

• To act as an information clearinghouse - programs, issues, legal considerations.

• To recognize and reward the constructive accomplishments of Minority and African-American youth.

• To provide a vehicle for business, civic and social organizations to support and develop linkages with African-American youth.

• To establish a concerned male presence in the community, thereby strengthening African-American families and neighborhoods.

• To open lines of communication between our youth and African-American men to clearly articulate the problems and needs of our youth.

• To give our youth encouragement through interaction with positive male role models and exposure to cultural, social and intellectual enrichment activities.

• To build positive images of our youth and men through outreach and networking programs that provide a forum and support group for the expression of the concerns of African-American men.

• To develop a wide variety of active role models , in cities throughout the nation, with whom African-American youths can relate to and associate with for guidance and support while developing their goals in the immediate community and for society in general.