This report provides detailed findings about what boys and young men of color need in order to help them overcome the challenges and obstacles they face in their day-to-day lives. The report highlights the voices of young men in Oakland, New York City, Baltimore, Atlanta, New Orleans and Detroit as they opened up and shared what is on their minds and in their hearts. Among other things, the report focuses on four main areas: Values; Success and Optimal Health; Competition/Winning/Skills and Creative Talents; and Existing Resources for African-American Males.
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- There are two critical, missing ingredients that preclude young men of color from accessing critical services and resources. One is trust; the other is effective branding of the crucial community services, programs and resources they need.
- Young men need both trusted, real-time online resources and face-to-face interactions to help them make informed decisions, build coping skills, and develop their innate talents;
- The young men (and community) would benefit significantly from a digital platform made available to them for ""one-stop shopping"" in accessing jobs, education, healthcare, and social services. This would fill a huge access void in their lives and give them a way to lift themselves up with information, tools and resources;
- Helping young men identify and act on opportunities to use their skills and talents can take them from merely surviving to thriving. They don't know where to begin to access social services (nor do their family members) and most don't take advantage of services available to them because they are unaware. They yearn for mentors and guidance.