Black Male Advancement

Our office strives to improve outcomes and reduce systemic barriers to advancement for Black men and boys living in Boston.

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The Office of Black Male Advancement works to empower Black men and boys. We want to ensure they have equitable access to opportunities in the City. As part of our work, we focus on policies, programs, resources, and local and national partnerships.

Our goal is to ensure Black men and boys have support to thrive and share in our City’s prosperity. Our office also directs and supports the efforts of the Black Men and Boys Commission.

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Contact

617-635-1825
send an email
1 City Hall Square
Room 806

Boston, MA 02201
United States
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Subscribe to our Newsletter!
- Read First Newsletter (Nov 2024)
- Read Second Newsletter (Dec 2024)
- Most Recent Newsletter (Jan 2025)

BMA Equity Study Phase 1 Brief

BMA Equity Study Phase I August Date Cover

The City of Boston established the Office of Black Male Advancement (OBMA) and the Black Male Equity initiative (BMEI) to reduce structural barriers and expand opportunity for Black men and boys. To support this mandate with defensible, community-grounded evidence, OBMA commissioned the Black Male Equity Study (BMES).

This brief presents BMES Phase 1, a triangulated community needs assessment designed to identify community-defined priorities and barriers, clarify how conditions interact across domains, and provide an evidence-informed foundation for planning, reporting, and accountable action.

Read the Brief

Upcoming Events

Events

FY27 Community Empowerment Grant Application Is Now Open

Through the FY27 Community Empowerment Small Grants, the Office of Black Male Advancement will award grants of up to $20,000 per awardee - and $300,000 in total - to support programs that expand one of the following focus areas:

Mentoring and Out-of-School Time: Providing quality mentoring, literacy and out-of-school time programs when and where they are needed, offering developmentally appropriate learning environments that support social emotional and physical wellbeing.
Housing Mobility: Providing a continuum of housing opportunities, resources, and supports that are effectively resulting in pathways to affordable housing and homeownership.
Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building: Supporting individuals to experience financial empowerment and economic mobility.
Fatherhood Engagement: Supporting fatherhood education, case management, and peer-to-peer support to strengthen positive father-child interaction, improve social and economic outcomes for fathers and their families and improve healthy relationships.

apply here

Timeline and Important Dates

Grant application launch: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Virtual Information Session: Wednesday September 30, 2026 (Meeting Link)
Application Deadline: Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Awards Announced: November 2026
Grant Period: Grant-funded activities must be completed by June 30, 2027

Launch of BMA Newsletter

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the BMA Newsletter!

In each issue, we highlight key initiatives from the past month as part of our steadfast advocacy for Black men and boys in our community, as well as upcoming events. Subscribe Today

Read First Newsletter - November 2024 (Introducing BMA)
December 2024 Newsletter

(Community Empowerment Grants, Commission Updates)
January 2025 Newsletter (Year in Review)
February 2025 Newsletter

(Empowerment Summit, Black History Month, BMA Reads +)

Programs

Black Male Advancement Small Grant Fund

Our fund allows community-based organizations serving the Black male community in Boston to apply for between $2,500 to $7,500 in grants.

My Brother's Keeper Boston

In 2014, President Obama started the national initiative My Brother's Keeper. We want to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by youth across the U.S.

Young Black Leaders Boston

A program for young Black males in Boston’s high school who want to become more civically engaged and leaders in their communities.

Project Opportunity

Helping create resources and opportunities for residents with CORIs.

R.E.A.C.H 1000 Mentoring

An effort to support mentoring programs across BPS and support youth development