Find, Connect and Promote Positive Engagement with Men of Color

Presented by Lynette Simmons and La’Leatha Spillers of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit

April 9, 2010

• Learn successful recruitment and retention Strategies that can be applied in a variety of communities and program settings.

• Learn to connect with men of color through their organizational affiliations

• Learn how to take Men of Color from Volunteers to agency Champions

What you’ll get out of today’s workshop

What do YOU hope to get out of this workshop?

Why we need men of Color?The Child Factor• Black children (6.7%) were

seven and a half times more likely than white children (0.9%) to have a parent in prison.

• Hispanic children (2.4%) were more than two and a half times more likely than white children to have a parent in prison.

(Bureau of Justice Statistics 2009)

The Parent Trap

• 744,200 males incarcerated have children under the age of 18(1,599,200).

• 46% where children of Black fathers• 21% where children of Hispanic fathers• 42% of incarcerated females (State) and 52%

(Federal) where single parents prior to entering prison.

(Bureau of Justice Statistics 2009)

What does that mean?

FOR• MCP Children

– They have consistently had minimal to no MALE figure in their lives and in their homes. Which creates a set of at risk dynamics that can contribute to the perpetuation of a cycle of low socioeconomic status, lack of education (drop out) and delinquency.

• Youth Development Agencies– Creative– Consistent– Diligent

In our efforts to connect to Minority Male Volunteers

“There’s Plenty of Fish in the Sea”

• Identify• Connect• Solicit• Cultivate

Identify

Husband also attend

a diff HBCU

Husband active in local

Frat chapter

Husband sings inthe male choir

At church

Delta Sigma Theta

St. Stephens BaptistChurch

LA Fitness Gym

Husband, BIL and FIL are

Alphas

Attend an HBCUActive in the localAlumni Chapter

La’LeathaStaff and

Mentor

What current connections do you have?

Connect “He’s just not that into you, or is he?”

What you need to know about men, research says…• Know and address the Fear Factor

• Accusation of misconduct• Parent replacement• Time and or financial commitment

• Define success for them upfront• Program process and expectations• Structure and flexibility

KISS- Keep It Simple Sweetie

(BBBS MEE study 2007)

Group

Are there any Fears or Challenges that you feel are unique to your area and/or agency?

Cultivate

Husband also attendeda diff HBCU

Husband active in local

Frat chapter

Husband sings inthe male choir

At church

Delta Sigma Theta St. Stephens BaptistChurch

LA Fitness Gym

Husband, BIL and FIL are

Alphas

Attend an HBCUActive in the localAlumni Chapter

Grad student atEMU

La’LeathaStaff and

Mentor

Cultivation• Events

• Mentor Mondays – Buffalo Wild Wings and Taste Pizza Bar• Wing Eating contest• Detroit Young Professionals• Greek Bowl

• Marketing and Messaging• 1% percent brochure• Sports Buddies

Group

What are some of the ways that you are cultivating individuals, groups, and/or

organizations?

SolicitMoving towards commitment

• Learn who your partners are• Define the role of each partner• Articulate the benefits of partnering for each

partner• State each partners expectation

Sample MOU

He’s a Keeper

• Fundraising/Special Events• Board involvement• Company/Organization

• Volunteers• Charity of Choice

Full Circle

• Volunteer ↔ Champion

Michele Samuels

BBBSMD Board Member

BCBS (AA Female)

Darrell Middleton

BCBS VP (AA Male)

Company wide commitment

Charity of choice

Committed to provide volunteers and assist w/ fundraising

BFKS

Site-Based Volunteers

(Majority are minorities)

Lloyd Banks (AA Male)

BCBS

Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Engaged other AA males at BCBS who are also Alphas

Next Steps

• Identify ↔

• Connect ↔• Cultivate ↔

• Solicit ↔

• Learn who your partners are.

• Define the role of each partner.

• Articulate the benefits of partnering for each partner.

• State each partners expectation.

Questions/Comments

Thank YouContact Information

Lynette Simmons - Director of Programs simmonsl@bbbsdetroit.org

La’Leatha Spillers – Recruitment and Outreach spillersl@bbbsdetroit.org