African American Men & Boys Conference

We are living in historic times. The candidacies of the 2008 Presidential election will be remembered for the groundbreaking change they represent with just their being run. Yet as we wade through the rhetoric, there is actual grassroots hope and change taking place far from the dais and stump.

Every month, community-minded men and women converge at a meeting of the African American Men and Boys Conference with the purpose of uniting, inspiring, and uplifting young African American men. The young men and boys that attend the conferences can find empathy and experience in the AAMBC's ever-growing cache of volunteers. Director and founder Michael Lofton boldly states that there is no issue or problem that he can't find the resources to address. "It's about what we're going to do for ourselves," he says.

The success of the AAMBC is difficult to measure, mostly in that there really isn't any one thing to be measured. However, the Conferences have grown in size and scope. Young men and boys (and even some women) continue to take time out of their Saturdays to attend, and professionals ranging from educators to local NAACP President Nelson Linder come in droves to lend their expertise. Words were not minced and nothing was off-limits during the speeches and classroom workshops. It is real talk for real issues, and you can see how it positively affects the young men in attendance. These aren't motivational speakers hired by their schools to send a message. These are role models from the community that are there to give something honest to the youth. It's a positive place to gather and feel a sense of unity, and the word keeps spreading. Mr. Lofton even mentioned to us that principals are beginning to allow students to make up truancy hours by attending the conferences, and judges are using them as part of their sentences for certain youth offenses. If these things don't spell success, I'm not sure what does.

It's easy to be inundated and overwhelmed by coverage of national elections and the sweeping promises of the future. It's comforting to be witness to a positive movement such as the African American Men and Boys Conference with its actual effectiveness for the communities it serves.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• AAMBC
• lofton
• moore
• foster
• black
• youth
• empowerment
• activism

[marcdaddy33]

Thanks a lot for this video.

The work being done with these conferences are timely, and absolutely necessary. A lot of our young black brothers are without role models to for whom they can mold their character after, and follow in their footsteps on the career path.

In the description it states that the success is difficult to measure, but I am CONFIDENT that these conferences will, in the end, will prove to be of immense benefit to all the young men who participate.

[TSmitty3000]

Marcdaddy33, thanks for the video. This is a great program.

[dylaniangeremy]

I would like to purchase a copy of the book he reading the oath from.

[agray10]

i tried looking up this conf online but i dont see a website where i can get involved locally. any thoughts?

[agray10]

im going to try to get involved in this in my city

[Evens1]

absolutely necessary