About BME

Black Male Engagement, or BME (pronounced “be me”), is a pilot initiative launched August 1, 2011 in Detroit and Philadelphia to highlight the black men and boys engaging and leading others to service in their cities.

How it works

BME has three simple steps:

1. Recognize engaged black men and boys

   • In Phase 1 which is open until September 30th, 2011, community members share names of black men and boys who deserve to be recognized for the big and small things that they do to engage others in the community. Then those guys post stories about how they are engaging others in the community.

2. Re-enforce by getting others in the community to support and promote black men and boys

   • Provide positive community reinforcement for the black men who are identified by the community by highlighting their stories on the site
   • Share those stories on Facebook and Twitter and allow the community to give a “thumbs up” to stories they find inspiring.
   • Provide the opportunity for local individuals and organizations such as local pastors, libraries, clothing stores, and art venues to identify their own ways to “thank” these engaged individuals
   • Provide public recognition at an event in each city in October 2011

3. Resource by providing funding and support to men and boys who are engaging in and leading others to service in their communities

   • The men and boys who submitted stories in Phase 1 are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$50,000 to support efforts to improve their communities
   • The grant contest opens October 24th and closes November 21st
   • Entrants and nominators from Phase 1 can vote on submitted project ideas
   • Grant recipients are announced on January 4th
   • Funded projects have up to one year to be completed

For the complete terms and conditions that apply to the Program, click here.

Why BME?

We believe that black men and boys are assets to their communities, and have long been engaged in addressing the issues and opportunities affecting their neighborhoods. It’s time these unsung heroes be recognized and celebrated. In doing so, we hope these black men and boys will inspire and engage others like them.

BME is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Open Society Foundations’ Campaign for Black Male Achievement.

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. BME is part of the foundation’s Black Males Initiative, which engages black men and boys in strengthening their communities. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

Active in more than 70 countries, the Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with local communities, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public health and education. For more, visit www.soros.org/cbma.