Promising Men Mentoring Program and Empowerment Conference Series
Project led by Kool Boiz FoundationAbout the project.
This project will support the Kool Boiz Foundation in offering their Promising Men Mentoring Program for boys in grades 6-8 as well as their Young Men’s Empowerment Conference Series for boys in grades 7-12.
The goal is to give young men an opportunity to hear about and reflect on “What’s Possible” through thought-provoking interactive discussions and workshops. This is accomplished through our annual in-person empowerment conference and our monthly virtual empowerment series. The annual conference is a full-day gathering bringing together boys and young men of color in grades 7 through 12 with mentors, speakers, and city leaders in order to learn more about leadership, scholarship, financial literacy, and a successful mindset. The monthly virtual empowerment series is held the fourth Saturday of each month and incorporates two speakers and small group breakout discussions.
These conferences encourage long-term success through education, leadership, life skills, and hard work. The goal is to address the challenges of boys and young men of color in Youngstown through a comprehensive, intergenerational approach that promotes successful change.
Support Black-led organizations.
The Kool Boiz Foundation is a Black-led organization: over 50% of the board is Black and the executive director identifies as Black. The organization also serves the Black community.
Support for Black-led organizations and projects serving the Black community is especially critical right now. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, there are many needs facing communities throughout the country and in Appalachian Ohio, with Black communities among the most impacted.
FAO staff comments.
The Kool Boiz Foundation of Youngstown knows that encouraging resilience and possibility is a community job. The Young Men’s Empowerment Conference Series provides young men of color in Youngstown an opportunity to engage in monthly conversations about exploring long-term success through education, leadership, life skills, and hard work from community leaders and stakeholders.
Make a donation.
To make an online donation to this project, please use the form below. For larger gifts or to donate in other ways (e.g. stock transfer, IRA transfer, or a gift through a donor advised fund), please visit appalachianohio.org/create/ways-to-give.