Forward Promise has announced grants totaling $1.75 million to twenty-three community organizations across the United States that advocate for the healing, growing, and thriving of boys and young men of color.

Grants of $76,000 over two years in general operating support were awarded to organizations that have long track records of support, leadership, advocacy, and partnership to affirm the humanity and healing of boys and young men of color within and across their respective communities. Selected organizations employ culturally responsive approaches to racial trauma in their youth programming; lead with authentic, asset-framed narratives of the lived experiences of those in communities; and mobilize youth and others to be change agents and advocates. Recipients include the National Youth Alliance for Boys and Men of Color in New York City; Communities United in Chicago; Kumukahi Health + Wellness in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i; LatinxEd in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Deep Center in Savannah, Georgia; Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice in Oakland; RYSE, Inc. in Richmond, California; and Cities United in Louisville, Kentucky. Launched by the Moriah Group, Forward Promise is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

"These organizations work tirelessly for children of color — healing the injuries to their humanity that society inflicts on them and fighting for justice on their behalf," said Rhonda Bryant, CEO of the Moriah Group and director of Forward Promise. "In the face of heightened racial injustices and a global pandemic deeply impacting communities of color, more than ever, children and youth of color need to be materially and emotionally supported, and barriers to their thriving must be addressed and removed."

(Photo credit: National Youth Alliance for Boys and Men of Color)