Black Men United
By Edward Henderson
In Jay-Z’s classic album Reasonable Doubt he raps “To all my people it ain’t too late to come together/ because too much black and too much love equal forever.” Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 8am, Black Men United convenes at the Voice and Viewpoint office to embody what this verse signifies.
Black Men United is comprised of a diverse group of men who represent a multitude of races, disciplines, age ranges and religious organizations. The group’s purpose is to convene, guide and galvanize black men (and those who support black men) to enable and empower its members and the community to address their relevant spiritual, individual, interpersonal, societal needs. The meetings are held in an open discussion format with a rotating commissioner who oversees the meeting’s proceedings. Members are free to voice their concerns, opinions and inform the group of any events or happenings that the collective may benefit attending. Community activist Armand King is serving as commissioner for the month of January.
“I love the unity and the potential of what I see brewing here,” King said. “We’re bringing the elders and the youth together which is needed and has been missing for so long.”
What makes this group special is the eclectic mix of personalities present at each meeting. Interactions range from police officials rubbing shoulders with known gang members to successful business men sharing the same space with individuals who’ve lived on the streets. The result of this equation is compelling conversation from multiple perspectives that offer insightful solutions to problems that the community would love to see alleviated.
The group’s last meeting was highlighted by a spirited discussion of how the winter months present a prime opportunity for outreach and prevention of gang violence which spike during the summer months. Insight from younger members of the group caught the ears of many elders in the room. Teddy Benson is a San Diego native in his 20’s that jumped at the opportunity to attend his first Black Men United meeting for this very reason.
“I don’t have access to influential people between my friends and peer group,” Benson said. “Coming here I get the access of people who have knowledge of how to work the justice system and people who know how to put in a petition for a march to protest an issue.”
It is easy to feel like the issues flooding the news and our social media timelines are too big to be tackled. Groups like Black Men United contain the insight, connections and influence necessary to take steps toward making the dream of the further advancement of our community a reality.
Black Men United is comprised of black men and those who support black men. Members are those who participate in the organization’s activities; live, work, and serve in the organization’s community; advocate for justice on behalf of the organization’s community; and seek to give voice to those without voice. Members are people of faith, clergy, and representatives of diverse, non-profit and community organizations.
Based in San Diego’s 4th Council District, Black Men United’s community is African-American people, African immigrants, American Indian, Latino, and others who, by experience, consciousness and culture, empathize with the black experience.
Black Men United’s vision is to serve as a unifying, empowering and moral influence in its community.
Black Men United’s purpose is convene, guide and galvanize black men (and those who support black men) to enable and empower its members and its community to address their relevant spiritual, individual, interpersonal, societal needs.
Black Men United’s activities and achievements reflect a commitment to faith, constancy, individual and community development, justice, and inclusion. Much of BMU’s work is accomplished through its Committees.
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