my son Alexander’s good friends from high school: Kahreh, Devon, Kamyle, Shafiq. They
are hilarious. They are witty, smart, thoughtful, and talented. They share stories about girlfriends
who have broken their hearts. About their adventures sneaking into concerts (guys, sorry to out
you like this). And about their creative passions and professional dreams.
On occasion I hire them to do work for me: build websites, create graphics, or even pass-out
flyers. And they do a pretty good job of keeping their friend’s nosey mom informed about what
they are doing and where they are doing it, often to the dismay of that very friend. What selfrespecting
20-year-old would like his mother to know the details
of his social life?
For me the closeness is more than curiosity. It is imperative. Primarily because I know the
statistics, especially, what the National League of Cities report on Black males calls “the immense
and persistent disparities in outcomes between Black male children and their peers.”
The facts are sobering:
• Homicide is the leading cause of death for Black males between the ages of 15 and 24, and is
responsible for more deaths of Black males in this age group than the nine other leading causes
combined;
• Black males ages 18 and over are underrepresented in colleges accounting for 5% of the
nation’s college students, and overrepresented in prison, accounting for 36% of the nation’s
prison population;
• Fewer than half of this demographic graduate from high school on time.
So I watch and “pry”…talk and listen. I know that now, more than any other time in their
lives, they need us. And by us I mean all of us. This is why I was excited to be asked by
Congressman Mark Takano to moderate “The State of Young Men of Color” next Tuesday at
Riverside Community College and why I am inviting you to join us for a discussion on the critical
issues facing young men of color in our community as we explore solutions for their success. Dr.
Robert Ross, President of the California Endowment, which leads the Alliance for Boys and Men
of Color, will be the keynote speaker. And there will be solutions-based dialogue with leaders in
the education, health, and workforce communities.
Congressman Takano understands that this is a complex problem. Please join us in focusing
on solutions. I know it will take overlapping, focused, and intentional strategies to make positive,
significant, and lasting outcomes for my son, his friends, and all young men of color here in the
Inland region.