The Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA), a national initiative focused on improving outcomes for Black men and boys, has released a new report, The Promise of Place, highlighting effective strategies underway across the country.
The Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA), a national initiative focused on improving outcomes for Black men and boys, has released a new report, The Promise of Place, highlighting effective strategies underway across the country. It’s part of the work of the CBMA to partner with communities to create and ensure “Promise of Place” and equitable opportunities for Black men and boys.
The Promise of Place report examines the progress made (since 2015) by 50 U.S. cities participating in Black Male Achievement (BMA) efforts.
Out of all 50 cities, Detroit is tied for the number one ranking in the country for the second time, demonstrating the commitment of philanthropy, the community and local leaders in breaking down barriers facing Black men and boys. The report shares that out of the CBMA cities, Detroit has the second highest representation of Black men and boys at 78 percent.
National data from CBMA highlights disparities:
25 percent of Black children don’t graduate high school on time, compared to the national average of 17 percent
Black male graduation rate is 59 percent, compared to 65 percent for Latino males and 80 percent for white males
There is a nearly 70 percent chance that a Black man without a high school diploma will be imprisoned by his mid-30s
We’re highlighting key takeaways from the report on the national level aimed to address these barriers and more. As well as what’s working in the Motor City, as the report credits the leadership and support of The Skillman Foundation.
Overall progress in Black Male Achievement (BMA) nationally since 2015:
62 percent of cities showed an increase in their overall score since the 2015 report
There’s been a reported 62 percent higher level of engagement across all 50 cities
92 percent of the 50 cities now have accepted the My Brother’s Keeper Challenge
There’s 23 national initiatives supporting Black men and boys, a 64 percent increase since 2015
Targeted funding supporting Black men and boys is now at more than $56 million since 2008, up from $23 million reported to-date in 2015
Work underway in Detroit
In Detroit, this month marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of the first Promise of Place office that made its home in Michigan in 2017.
The report shows that Detroit’s leading the BMA cities due to CBMA members engaged in this work locally, Black men and boy stakeholders and effective initiatives. Out of the CBMA building blocks, Detroit scored the highest in “actionable agenda for Black men and boys” and “city administration commitment to Black men and boys.”
“Moreover, the funding footprint led by The Skillman Foundation has cultivated a Social Innovator cohort that marshals community-based supports for Black men and boys,” the report states.
Detroit’s home to six BMA Innovators which include: Detroit Parent Network, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Don Bosco Hall, Green Door Initiative, The Yunion, Inc. and Neighborhood Service Organization’s Youth Initiatives Project
In other work, CBMA says there’s already visible progress in Detroit since the CBMA’s new High School Excellence initiative has been implemented.
CBMA says the initiative has led to an increase in:
Black men and boys participating in college and career preparation activities
The number of school-based interventions targeting reading and writing skills
Interest from the corporate sector to contribute their human capital to serve as tutors and mentors to high school students
These are just a few of the many efforts underway in Detroit.
The lowest score the Motor City received in the report was funding, with an average score of 4 out of 10. The report states that The Skillman Foundation “remains one of the biggest funders and philanthropic leaders of local work,” noting the need for other sources of public and private funding to improve targeted outcomes for Black men and boys.
We know that nationally, other CMF members such as the Ford Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation have both supported the work of CBMA and hosted events in partnership with the network.
The report shares optimism of the work underway, not just in Detroit, but across the country while also touching on the divisive national conversations and need for more action to connect Black men and boys with opportunities.
As for what’s next with CBMA, the board which includes Tonya Allen, president and CEO, The Skillman Foundation, writes in part, “We urge advocates, policymakers, and everyday people to delve into the dynamics of the cities highlighted, analyze the trends in BMA engagement, and deepen their thinking of how their own cities may measure up as a Promise of Place city.”
Want more?
Read the full report.
View the Detroit snapshot on the city index.
