Black Boys and Men National Institute
From Convening to Continuous Impact
A BBMNS Initiative
The Black Boys and Men National Center extends the work of the Black Boys & Men National Symposium into year-round research, strategic engagement, and implementation support.
While the Symposium convenes national thought leaders, educators, advocates, and community partners, the Institute ensures that insight does not end in conversation. It translates ideas into sustained action — working alongside school districts, higher education institutions, community organizations, and agencies committed to improving outcomes for Black boys and men.
Why the BBMN Institute
Each year, the Black Boys & Men National Symposium generates powerful dialogue, practical strategies, and national connections.
The Black Boys and Men National Institute builds on that foundation by providing structured, research-informed support that moves organizations from conversation to implementation.
The work does not end when the Symposium concludes. The Institute exists to ensure that ideas become measurable progress.
How We Engage
Strategic Technical Assistance & Professional Learning
We partner with organizations to provide customized, research-informed support that strengthens systems, leadership practice, and measurable outcomes.
Our engagement model is designed to move beyond one-time sessions — supporting partners through planning, implementation, and continuous improvement.
Areas of Engagement Include:
- Customized professional learning and leadership development
- Strategic planning and implementation support
- Organizational and program design
- Coaching, advising, and capacity-building
- Mentoring frameworks and structured tools, including the BBMNS Mentoring Workbook
Engagements are designed in partnership and can be tailored to meet the specific needs, priorities, and context of each organization.
Research & Collaboration
The Institute is designed to support the development of research-informed resources and foster collaboration across sectors focused on improving outcomes for Black boys and men.
Building on the work of the Black Boys & Men National Symposium, this area will center on strengthening partnerships, sharing knowledge, and exploring opportunities for future research and evaluation.
Areas of focus include:
- Development of resource materials and tools
- Knowledge-sharing and cross-sector collaboration
- Exploration of research and evaluation partnerships
Signature Tools & Resources
A Mentorship Handbook for Black Boys: Empowering Potential
$19.99
This guidebook is written in four parts to reach various life areas to encourage and teach Black boys as they become Black men. It is best if used in page order, but it is okay if you need to jump to a section due to what may be happening in the young man's life. Due to the Activities in the guidebook, you may want to have a journal or spiral notebook for recording and keeping their answers.
Each part highlights a Black man's story. These men have overcome various obstacles to get where they are, and it is important to show the Black boys that they too can achieve their dreams. All topics start with Conversation Starters, similar to ice breakers, this is a way to get to know the young man and to start talking about the topic at hand. It is a chance to check their knowledge level of a topic and help them expand their thinking skills.
The readings give more information about the topics. You are encourage to find more in-depth material online to supplement the work you are doing. The readings set up the Activities. Activities allow for interaction with the materials and the lessons that encourage thinking skills, self-learning, and discovery.
About the BBMS Workbook
This work is inspired by Dr. B. Donta Truss as part of the call to action for the Black Boys and Men National Symposium. This guidebook is intended to be used by mentors with their mentees. It is not a book on how to mentor. There are many great resources that explain roles, responsibilities, and starting the mentoring relationship to use.
Author: Linda Rettig
Cultural Editor: Dr. Taran McZee
A special thank you to the Life Story Contributors in the order of appearance:
D.F. Arnold
Robert L. Stevenson
B. Donta Truss
Donald "DJ" Mitchell
Join Us in Advancing the Work
The Black Boys and Men National Institute invites organizations across sectors to partner in advancing outcomes for Black boys and men.
Our partners include:
- School districts
- Colleges and universities
- Community-based organizations
- Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
- Public agencies
- Philanthropic and strategic partners
Engagements are designed in partnership and tailored to align with each organization’s goals, priorities, and context.
Organizations interested in advancing this work are encouraged to connect with the Center to explore opportunities for engagement, including professional learning, technical assistance, strategic planning, and collaborative initiatives.