The Foundation for the Mid South will host the Males of Color Initiative and announce $200,000 in grant awards to service organizations. The event will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the bell tower at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The foundation has partnered with Pine Bluff organizations in identifying challenges and addressing opportunities for males of color. Officials will announce grants to Pine Bluff organizations.
Groups helping males prepare for college or careers include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter; Ivy Center for Education Inc.; Junior Leadership Pine Bluff; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter; and UAPB.
The objective is to connect with existing programs that support males of color and identify successful strategies that can be duplicated in new communities, a spokesman said.
“As leaders, we must take proactive steps to undo the barriers that impede males of color as they strive toward pathways to opportunity and success,” says Ivye L. Allen, Foundation for the Mid South president. “Our expected outcome is to improve academic performance and greater connectivity to college and career opportunities for Pine Bluff males of color.