Projects & Initiatives
Click the pictures below to read about our projects & initiatives
BLACK BOYS DESERVE TO SMILE
MENTAL HEALTH + BLACK BOYS
"From 2001 to 2015, the suicide risk for Black boys between the ages of 5 and 11 was two to three times higher than that of White boys, according to a new research letter in JAMA Pediatrics" (Bridge, 2018).
Ensuring the continuous experience of joy among black and brown boys is a top priority, with a strong focus on their mental health. The program offers a holistic approach that includes activities such as yoga and mindfulness exercises, which promote relaxation, self-awareness, and emotional well-being. Moreover, participants have access to teen mental health first aid training, equipping them with the skills to recognize and address mental health challenges in themselves and their peers. By incorporating social-emotional learning practices, the program creates a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health, empowering black and brown boys to thrive and find joy in their lives.
CHampion
CORNERSTONE INITIATIVE
Champion Cornerstone Intiative is THEACADEMY365’s workforce readiness pipeline designed to equip young Black and Brown men with the skills, confidence, and access they need to thrive in the workplace. This program serves high school sophomores and juniors, as well as college freshmen and sophomores, providing comprehensive training in soft skills, career exploration, and life coaching.
Participants engage in hands-on workshops using the nationally recognized Skills to Pay the Bills curriculum, which covers communication, teamwork, professionalism, and problem-solving. Champion's also receive support with resume building, interview preparation, and professional attire.
Through partnerships with local municipalities and organizations like Eleven+, students gain access to paid summer jobs and internships, removing barriers to opportunity and creating real-world pathways to success. Each student is paired with a community mentor who offers personal guidance, encouragement, and career insight.
This program doesn’t just prepare our Champions for work—it empowers them to lead, contribute, and shape a more equitable future.
PROJECT MANHOOD:
A COMMUNITY APPROACH
Project Manhood: A Community Approach is an innovative program that educates black and brown boys and creates a sense of agency and responsibility to their communities and their futures. The project does this through establishing safe and open discussions facilitated by coaches and experts that represent the communities served. By creating this space, the program allows and encourages participants to engage in inclusive and transparent conversations about topics often considered taboo. Through Project Manhood, we strive to help our young men take responsibility for the positive and negative consequences of their decisions, and holding them accountable for those decisions, especially regarding their sexual decision-making. Expert facilitators and our Youth Empowerment Coaches provide medically accurate information on reproductive and sexual health, and teaching on consent, boundary-setting, and social-emotional well-being to empower our young men to make informed and healthy decisions necessary for creating a healthy and flourishing life by overcoming pressure situations and sticking to their values.
BLACKBOY STORYTELLERS PROJECT
An important aspect of life for black boys is owning and sharing their unique stories. Confidence and pride must be encouraged, fostered, and cultivated within each boy that walks through our doors. The Blackboy Storytellers project allows our boys to do just that and more. We introduce our boys to filmmakers, artists, and storytellers throughout the county. The goal is simple. We want to encourage our boys to embrace their stories and share them with the greater community. Our boys will author books and create films as an opportunity to both help and heal.
BLACKBOY S.T.E.A.M
The act of play and early exposure to S.T.E.A.M share many of the same benefits. Both cultivate a child’s curiosity, executive function skills, and creative thinking. The goal is to leverage BLACKBOY S.T.E.A.M to provide early exposure to STEAM for our black boys while cultivating interest in and excitement for the various areas of S.T.E.A.M. Our approach is unique in that we are intentional about addressing the issue of cultural representation and identity in play.
We must change the narrative and be intentional about encouraging black boys to pursue careers in STEAM. These industries are driving the growth of the U.S. economy, and our children DESERVE to be participants in that. Together, let’s make STEAM accessible, representative, and fun.
par365
summer golf club
Par365 Summer Golf Club, is a 6-week program dedicated to
empowering adolescent Black and Brown boys through the game of
golf. Our program is designed to introduce young participants to
the sport, offering them not only the opportunity to learn and excel
in golf but also to gain valuable life lessons that extend far beyond
the fairways and greens.
Mission: Par365 aims to foster personal growth, discipline, and
resilience in young Black and Brown boys by bridging access and
opportunity, teaching them the fundamentals of golf. We believe
that the principles learned on the golf course—such as patience,
integrity, and perseverance—are crucial for success in all areas of
life.