NYC Young Men's Initiative

With Women's History Month coming to an end,?the NYC Young Men's Initiative honors the incredible women who help keep us going every day! From team members, mentors, and program leaders to advocates, community changemakers, our Commissioner, Deputy Mayor, and more—their dedication strengthens our mission to uplift young men of color, and all young people of color, across NYC. Their leadership, wisdom, and passion drive the work we do, ensuring that young men have the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive. We recognize the countless ways they inspire, support, and create lasting impact in our communities. To the women shaping a brighter, more equitable future—we see you, we celebrate you, and we thank you! ?? #WomensHistoryMonth?#YMI?#NYC?#StrongerTogether

The NYC Young Men's Initiative is hiring 2 Special Assistants: one for external communications, and one for event management in Manhattan, NY! ABOUT YOU? The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements:? You have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of satisfactory experience related to events management required by the position; or education and/or experience that is equivalent to the above You have strong project management skills and planning skills? You can apply strategic, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to complex and dynamic situations? You have strong written and verbal communication skills with experience in tailoring communication to diverse audiences COMPENSATION? The compensation rate for this position is $22/hour. The Special Assistant will complete up to 35 hours/week from Monday to Friday. This is a consultant role and will be hybrid. FULL JOB DESCRIPTIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://lnkd.in/ejVr_qcV & https://lnkd.in/e7WfZ33F Interested candidates should?APPLY by emailing [email protected] with your resume and including "Special Assistant, External Communications," or "Special Assistant, Events" in the subject line, and are following the NYC Young Men's Initiative here on LinkedIn and Instagram (@nycyoungmen)!

In partnership with?the NYC Young Men's Initiative and?the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, The Eagle Academy Foundation hosted their 8th Annual All-Male College Fair, "ACMF 25: Taking Flight" on March 12, 2025, at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). In a social climate that is overly critical of young men of color and historically devalues their educational potential, we're determined to create opportunities that show them their aspirations are attainable. The All-Male College Fair, which began as an exclusive Eagle Academy network event, has scaled into a city-wide initiative impacting thousands of young men. It was a great turnout, but if you missed it, we hope to see you next year!

The 8th Annual All-Male College Fair (AMCF) was more than just an event—it was a movement. Nearly 1,000 young men of color gathered at Borough of Manhattan Community College to engage with nearly 100 colleges and universities, gaining direct access to the information and resources needed to make informed decisions about their futures. At EAF, we recognize that postsecondary success takes many forms—whether it’s higher education, workforce development, or various career pathways. That’s why AMCF remains one of our most critical initiatives, ensuring that young men have the exposure, guidance, and support to navigate their next steps with confidence. With the AMCF Bracketology Challenge, students walked away with a strategic roadmap to help them make informed choices about their future. We extend our deepest gratitude to our event sponsors, the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development and NYC Young Men's Initiative, for their unwavering commitment to expanding access and opportunities for young men of color. Together, we are building ecosystems of support that will have a lasting impact. Click the link below to check out PIX11’s coverage of this year’s AMCF. We’re proud to see this event continue to grow, and we look forward to strengthening these partnerships to create even greater impact. Learn more about how we’re shaping futures at eafny.org. https://lnkd.in/eFnr82cT #AMCF25 #EagleAcademy #CollegeAndBeyond #OpportunitiesForAll #EducationMatters #EquityInEducation

"…If I can help somebody as I pass along; then my living shall not have been in vain." Today, we remember Dr. Hazel Dukes, who led the New York State NAACP for nearly five decades and served on the Implementation of Racial Justice Charter Amendments advisory board that counsels on racial equity for NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice. A tireless advocate for voting rights, economic development, fair housing, and education, Dr. Dukes' impact was felt across generations. Even in her 90s, she continued to fight for police reform and healthcare access. Dr. Dukes was the embodiment of the NAACP; may her legacy be a powerful testament and influence for future generations.

In partnership with the NYC Young Men's Initiative and the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, The Eagle Academy Foundation is hosting their 8th Annual All-Male College Fair, "ACMF 25: Taking Flight" on March 12, 2025 from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Scan the QR code to learn more or visit bit.ly/AMCF25-info. We hope to see you there!

#ICYMI The NYC Young Men's Initiative has had a jam-packed Black History Month! On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the NYC Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development hosted their "Finding Your Leadership Soul" Black History Month book talk. The event, in collaboration with Big Picture Learning, included a student-led fireside chat with Carlos Moreno, the author of "Finding Your Leadership Soul," and a student panel discussing their professional journeys and advice, as well as Executive Director James Stratford, MPA’s reflections on the programming and how it informs his work and leadership. The following Thursday, February 6, 2025, the NYC Young Men's Initiative attended NYC Men Teach Day 2025 at Medgar Evers College, CUNY. It was a great opportunity to hear from the NYC Men Teach team regarding all of the work they've accomplished over the years, and hear from NYC Men Teach alumni about their positive experiences with the program. Executive Director James Stratford shared the importance of having Black male teachers and male teachers of color in classrooms. On Friday, February 7, 2025, the NYC Young Men's Initiative team attended the CUNY Black Male Initiative’s (BMI) Annual Legislative Breakfast at CUNY York College. The breakfast included remarks from Speaker of the New York City Council Adrienne Adams, Executive Director for the CUNY Black Male Initiative Jonathan Quash PhD, and other BMI staff members, as well as remarks from Executive Director James Stratford discussing the necessity for various supports for young men of color and YMI's ongoing partnership with CUNY BMI. Additionally, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, Executive Director James Stratford attended Zone 126's Black History Month Speed Chat 'n' Chew event at Long Island City High School, where students had the opportunity to have a personal conversation with various professionals across the city, offering valuable insights into their respective career fields. Thank you to everyone who included the NYC Young Men's Initiative in their BHM events!

Next week, NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman will lend her voice to "Investing in Equity for All" with NYC Commission on Racial Equity and the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy. Join us for an in depth discussion on how New York City can implement equitable allocation of government resources that addresses harm caused by racism and social injustice. Event Details: ?? Thursday, March 6, 2025 ? 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM ?? Wollman Hall, Eugene Lang Building 65 W 11th St, New York, NY 10011 Register here: https://shorturl.at/bT4YV

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI) hosted our Inaugural "Remember Your 'Y' Gala: Empowering Paths to Purpose and Promise" at Surrogate's Court. It was a great evening including a self-guided walkthrough of YMI's history, remarks from the Executive Director of NYC Her Future and former acting Executive Director of the NYC Young Men's Initiative, Nathifa Forde, the Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice, Sideya Sherman, and the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Intiatives, Ana Almanzar. The night also included newly appointed Executive Director James Stratford, MPA sharing YMI's strategic vision and his personal testimony, performances by the Reign of Distinction Step Team, the Meyer Levin School for Performing Arts' Steel Pan Band, and the My Brother's Keeper Step Team at Pathways College Preparatory School: A College Board School, as well as awards for YMI's previously appointed executive directors, program managers and participants, dinner, desserts, dancing, and more. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, and to everyone who attended and contributed to making the evening unforgettable. We also want to thank everyone who expressed interest in attending, volunteering, or partnering--we are looking to have the gala be even bigger and better next year! If you haven't done so already, kindly share your thoughts with us on the event and strategic initiatives we shared, by clicking on the following link, or clicking the link in our bio: https://lnkd.in/gKGKXWpd Please stay tuned for an official recap and more photos!

We celebrate the power of community and collaboration. Through a partnership with NYC Department of Education, NYC Young Men's Initiative, and NYC Her Future, we’re proud to bring My Brother's Keeper and My Sister's Keeper programs to serve New York City’s youth. These initiatives are designed to ensure that young people of color reach their full potential by providing access to educational, career, and wellness opportunities. These programs are a critical step toward overcoming barriers and creating pathways to success. Together, we are building a brighter future where every young person can thrive. Learn more here: https://nycmbk.org #YouthEmpowerment #CommunityBuilding #NYC #Education #CareerDevelopment #Wellness