“This program opened my eyes and showed me that my dreams are not out of reach.” –John K., Young Men United participant.
We recently honored the achievements, resilience, and bright futures of our first cohort of Young Men United (YMU) graduating seniors at a special End-of-Year Celebration at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore City—a fitting venue that honors the achievements of Black leaders. Guests heard from staff and partners who credited students for their accountability, advocacy, and fostering brotherhood with one another.
Antoynica Ryan of the Ryan Institute, one of YMU’s partner organizations shared that, “If they get educational support, it will change the trajectory of their life if they take advantage of the opportunities.”
Students are certainly taking advantage of opportunities to thrive, strive, and become the next wave of leaders who will uplift Baltimore City, demonstrated by the program’s 72% college acceptance rate among the young men. Similar programs often take years to achieve rates
John, a young man who joined YMU in 10th grade, credits the program for helping him realize there are endless possibilities for what he can accomplish – one being that college is not out of reach.
Another student, Jawan, a senior at Patterson High School, emphasized how the program showed him how to be mature. YMU helped him get his first job and even a tailored suit (check out that story here!). Jawan worked hard to boost his GPA and was accepted in several colleges because of that hard work.
Courtney Jenkins, a UWCM board member and President of Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO Unions, delivered an inspiring keynote address, reminding the young men that “as young black men, it’s important to life as you climb” and they can transform the spaces they are in.
The night concluded with a Rites of Passage Ceremony, honoring 12 graduating seniors as they forge their futures.
