Press Releases

Washington, DC September 1, 2004. The National Organization of Concerned Black Men, Inc. (CBM) is fighting the epidemic of school violence, apathy by the community, and the lack of responsible men in the lives of our children, by increasing the presence of African-American males and other responsible adults in schools around the Nation. Tuesday, September 7, 2004, has been deemed "CBM National Back to School Day." On that day, the National Organization of Concerned Black Men and its local chapters throughout the country are taking a child to school. Each member will accompany at least one of the children that he mentors, or his own child, to school. CBM is asking all African-American men to join this campaign of increasing the presence of African-American men in school on this day. CBM also hopes that other responsible adults will join it in accompanying a child to school on the Tuesday after Labor Day.

"Our goal is to encourage responsible adults, particularly African-American men, to spend quality time --- even a small amount of time --- with children in school at the beginning of the school year," said George L. Garrow, Jr., Executive Director of the National Organization of Concerned Black Men. "Schools will improve, and the attitude of our children and youth will improve, if more of us become involved in our local schools."

CBM created this National Back to School Day to encourage African-American men to get involve in the schools and the lives of their children. "We need to take back the schools", said Bobby James, Chairman of CBM. "Of all the places a kid can go, the school should be a safe place in which he or she can learn and develop into a responsible adult. Every school should be filled with men who care about kids."

CBM sponsors youth development and prevention programs in schools around the country, and believes that the only solution to school violence, poor academic performance and other problems facing our schools and the children that they serve is for adults from all walks of life to become involved. African-American men, CBM contends, must play a more prominent role in the lives of our children if real progress is to be achieved.

Concerned Black Men, Inc. (CBM) was founded in 1975, when five (5) African-American police officers organized enrichment activities for Philadelphia area youth. Today, the National Organization of Concerned Black Men, Inc. conducts "best-practice" youth prevention programs in the Nation's Capital. Additionally, its 24 chapters offer a variety of projects and activities such as oratory contests, spelling bees, youth conferences, college tours and other opportunities for youth throughout the country. During the last school year, approximately 10,000 children and youth were touched by CBM programs and activities nationally.

For more information on the "CBM National Back to School Day" or the National Organization of Concerned Black Men, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, call CBM toll free at 888-395-7816, or visit the web site at www.cbmnational.org.

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Concerned Black Men, Inc. is an international, non-profit organization whose mission it is to promote the cultural, social and educational well-being of African-American youth and their families through mentoring and other outreach programs.