We are closing out our month of "Loving on the Black Man" with The NY Innocence Project. Join us as we talk with Christina Swarns, Executive Director and Kyana Champion, Social Worker. We will be discussing the importance of grace, redemption, and most of all believing in our Black men. They deserve to know that we trust their word and will fight on their behalf!

Watch this episode:

Join Amber Williams, Houston Chapter Leader and Executive Director, Kimberley Alexander. Learn what MOBB United is doing and how you can get involved.

Watch this episode:

M.O.B.B. United continues to Love On The Black Man with the AMAZING Devine Carama on The New Talk: For Moms of Black Boys. In 2022, Devine became the first hip-hop artist from Kentucky to receive an Emmy Award! The ultimate #GirlDad, he has dedicated his life to building community and creating healthy, whole, emotionally intelligent boys and girls.

Watch this episode:

MOBB United launches Love on the Black Man Month with Black Man, You Deserve to Be Whole - Mind, Body & Soul on The New Talk: For Moms of Black Boys. Tune in as we unpack trauma and discuss ways to heal with Dr. Patrick Thompson, MDiv, ThM, ND and Brian L. Turner, Ph.D. Let's learn how to honor your whole self. We want our Black men to Thrive not just survive.

Watch this episode:

Start 2024 off right -grab your sons and tune in to The New Talk: For Moms of Black Boys for our annual Vision Board Party, with Lucinda Cross. A 2020 study showed that 59% of individuals and 82% of small business owners who created a vision board were more successful at reaching their goals. Be part of that number and set up your year for success!

Watch this episode:

“Police in the Community” — Gather every mom of a black boy you know. It’s time for another Talk on our next episode of “The New Talk: For Moms of Black Boys”

January 2nd at 7 pm ET / 6 pm CT we talk with Kim Varner Sr. a 26-year retired veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office who lost his son to violence, shares profound insights on "Police in the Community: Truly Being a Part of the People." As the Senior Instructor and Director of Programs for Dedication to Community, a national nonprofit fostering healing and unity, his perspective is both eye-opening and motivational.

Featuring SONshine, Christopher Smith & his incredible mom, Regenna Grier. Christopher shares how he was wrongfully convicted of two armed robberies, was held on a million dollar bail, and spent thirteen years of his life trying to reclaim his name, freedom, and realize his dream of becoming a fire fighter. His mother Regenna, a DC police officer was forced to live her worst nightmare and was torn between her life's work and protecting her son.

Watch this episode:

MOBB United Founder Depelsha McGruder in conversation with newly announced Executive Director, Kimberley Alexander exploring Kim's journey and discussing what's in store for "The New Talk: For Moms of Black Boys" and MOBB United!

Watch this episode:

Launching November 28, 2023 — Listen to our Executive Director, Kimberley R. Alexander, and our first male intern, Jazz Miles, chat it up about what to expect in upcoming episodes!

Watch this episode:

MOBBiversary 2026 Brooklyn Event
Posted by Kynia Starkey · August 03, 2026 3:51 PM · 1 reaction

MOBBiversary 2026 Staten Island Event
Posted by Kynia Starkey · July 30, 2026 1:52 PM · 1 reaction

The ABCs of Balancing it All: Academics, Athletics, Arts & Self-Advocacy
Posted by Beth Lunde · August 27, 2025 12:00 PM · 1 reaction

  July 7, 2016

I am starting this group today because I don't know what else to do. I am upset and in tears and living fear every day for my sons who are only seven and four. I cry on every one of their birthdays because I know that each year that they grow, they will be viewed as less innocent and more of a threat to society. This is not normal or fair. I am hoping that we can create a support system for each other -- If nothing else to have a private place to vent --or possibly to evolve into an education and advocacy group. For now, I just need the love and support for my sisters who may be feeling the same way :-( Thank you for joining.

Original Facebook Group post:

Depelsha McGruder is Founder and Board Chair of Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. (MOBB United) and M.O.B.B. United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC). She is a distinguished leader committed to reshaping societal perceptions and policies impacting Black boys and men. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer & Treasurer at the Ford Foundation, Depelsha oversees global finance and operations for 11 offices across the US, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

MOBB United is dedicated to eliminating the racial disparity that puts our Black sons at a disadvantage in the areas of education and the criminal justice system. To do this, we promote changing negative perceptions and increasing awareness and understanding of the plight of Black boys and men in America. We enable Moms of Black sons to tell their stories, celebrate their accomplishments, and connect them to opportunities that enrich the lives of their sons.

Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. initiatives are designed to:

• Change negative perceptions and stereotypes of Black males
• Equip Moms with vital information needed to raise strong, successful Black sons
• Promote self-care for the whole family

Current Initiatives

The New Talk: For Moms of Black Boys

In December 2023, M.O.B.B. United debuted our podcast The NEW Talk: For Moms of Black Boys. We are changing the way we talk to our sons; why we talk to our sons; and how we talk about our sons! Our SonShines deserve to grow up without the constant exposure to trauma, especially at home. We are having the broader conversations around life and the liberties all of our families deserve.

We Are Changing the Narrative!

If you are the parent of a Black boy, you know what THE TALK is. You also know what it feels like to see the innocence of childhood dimmed in the eyes of your SonShine, as you have that talk. But that is not all we are talking about!  THE NEW TALK is educating, enlightening, and sharing information to bridge the gap between all communities. 

THE NEW TALK is for every member of the family as we are stronger together. The way we strengthen community is to join community in the solutions. 

Tune in on the M.O.B.B. United LinkedIn, Facebook, Spotify, or YouTube pages to see previously aired episodes and catch all of our new content! 

Le^el Up The V*te

Our democratic process depends on us! The memoir of America tells the tale of how we had to fight for our right to vote, to exercise our right to vote, and all the ways this country has attempted to strip us of our right to vote. M.O.B.B. United knows all the reasons to be discouraged about participating in the voting process, but we must! 

Le^el Up The V*te, MOBB United's voter education campaign is geared towards providing the educational resources needed to make an informed decision at the ballot box. The Le^el Up The V*te campaign will focus on all levels of the election process and how they impact our community directly. We need to be involved in state, city, and county elections if we want to affect change for our SonShines. 

Let's Le^el Up The V*te today! 

https://vote.gov/register

Protect 'em Campaign

The #ProtectEm campaign, initially launched as the #ProtectThem campaign, was one of the first actions taken by the organization in 2016, born of the frustration and urgent cries of Moms everywhere who were afraid for their son's safety in the hands of law enforcement.  The country was still reeling from the collective trauma of witnessing online the brutal treatment of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, followed by countless others. This social media imagery campaign quickly became a key initiative and cornerstone of the MOBB United mission.The intent is to flood the internet with positive images of Black boys and men; to soften them visually and underscore the reality that Black boys are not a monolith. We want to change the unfair narrative that our boys and men are inherently violent and lack boundaries. Our Black boys have to navigate life in the face of a world that devalues them; they work hard in school, play sports, have friends of all races, and have goals to become high school and college graduates and live productive lives. We want the world to see them the way their Mothers see them from birth - a precious life that deserves love and protection from harm.Since the inception of this campaign, we have used this ideology and hashtag across all our platforms to drive this message out to the masses in hopes that it will accomplish the very thing that MOBB United was founded upon; to change the perception of young Black males in society.

Check out this #Protectem video!

Half of the 250 Kids Expelled from Preschool Each Day Are Black Boys. 

From the moment a Black boy is born, he enters a pipeline with a predetermined trajectory that often ends with being incarcerated. The School to Prison Pipeline is a real thing and it starts with a lack of GRACE for the SonShines we raise. History says making mistakes as a Black boy or man can be catastrophic at almost any age.

M.O.B.B. United is tired of telling the story that ends with the disproportionate suspension, expulsion, and incarceration of our sons. ALL of our SonShines deserve GRACE, UNDERSTANDING, & LOVE. They deserve the opportunity to grow from mistakes rather than receive the harsh punishments the currently receive.

The Grace Campaign

The GRACE Campaign is M.O.B.B. United's newest Changing Perceptions initiative. We will be telling the stories of redemption and personal growth, despite the struggles our SonShines may have experienced. We want to demonstrate how providing support, love, compassion, and understanding while redirecting negative behavior can lead to outcomes that keep our SonShines at home, rather than the penal system. Our children can succeed and M.O.B.B. United wants to extend the GRACE they need to do so!

MOBB United's 5-pillar approach is our mission in motion—

Each pillar demonstrates how MOBB United is working to bring our ultimate goal to fruition— a society where our SonShines are seen for the intelligent, innovative, loving, people they are! 

1. Change Perceptions – Promoting positive imagery and providing opportunities for Black men and Boys to be seen as productive, contributing, values members of our society. 

2. Influence Policy - Utilizing our collective voice in support of policies that protect Black men and boys and create and/or safeguard the basic freedoms all of our SonShines are entitled to.

3. Demonstrate our Power – Leveraging our resources, and vote as a means to illustrate the power we have as a people.

4. Partner Strategically – Partnering with like-minded organizations whose mission and purpose aligns with ours.

5. Promote Self-Care -  Because we know this is a marathon not a sprint, we encourage and provide ways to preserve and replenish our fuel for the fight, centralizing on spirituality, mindfulness, and healthy self-care practices.

Like all moms, we want our SonShines to have a chance to live, learn, and leave their legacies. United, we will protect their right to do so and help them to not just survive but thrive.

Moms of Black Boys (MOBB) United, Inc. and MOBB United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC) are sister organizations that are dedicated to positively influencing how Black boys and men are perceived and treated by law enforcement and in society. MOBB United is a nationwide coalition of concerned moms of Black sons who represent every race, age, socioeconomic background, marital status and education level. What we share is unconditional love for our Black sons, and we want others to see them through our proud eyes.

As moms, we have seen our sons enter the world innocently, take first steps, learn about love, pursue hopes and dreams, and experience disappointments and pain. Like all moms, we want our SUNS to have a chance to live, learn, and leave their legacies. United, we will protect their rights to do so and help them to survive and thrive.

I am the mother of two Black sons. I started MOBB United as a friendly Facebook support group in July 2016. Since then, the movement has grown tremendously, giving birth to a national crusade that has instilled hope, empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to take action.

Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. provides information and support for moms of Black sons and promotes positive images of Black boys and men. The organization is dedicated to changing perceptions, encouraging self-care, and fostering understanding of the plight of Black boys and men in America by telling their stories, celebrating their accomplishments, and connecting them to opportunities. The group supports moms by encouraging strong family and community connections and sharing information that empowers them to navigate all of the institutions that interact with, influence, and impact our sons.

MOBB United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC) is the advocacy arm and sister organization of Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. Its goal is to influence policy at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure that Black boys and men are treated fairly and equitably. MUSC is focused on eradicating harassment, brutality, and unwarranted use of deadly force by law enforcement. We want our sons and law enforcement officers to make it home safely every night.

MOBB United applies a multi-pronged approach that includes media campaigns and storytelling, education and engagement, political and economic empowerment, self-care, strategic partnerships and sustained advocacy and community involvement.

Newsletters:

• Apr 2018
• Feb 2018
• Dec 2017
• Oct 2017
• Sept 2017
• Aug 2017
• June 2017

Blogs:

• Founder's Corner - A message from MOBB United's Founder, Depelsha McGruder.
• Cause (c4) - Policy analysis and advocacy/lobbying; voter education and mobilization; op-eds and media interviews; call center initiatives, letters, emails, petitions; rallies, marches, demonstrations and boycotts; local political activism (civilian review boards, city council, school boards, etc.); national events (e.g., DNC, CBC, etc.); quarterly or monthly action items focused on current cases, legislation, etc.; regular updates to stay on the pulse of key issues, cases, legislation and public figures related to our cause driven by policy, events and demonstrations, and economic development committees working in concert.
• Content (c3) - Image campaigns to change perception of Black boys and men (photo, video, books, theatre, etc.) Educational seminars for members and the community at large (13th, Bullying, Legal Equalizer, Know Your Rights, Trauma, isow.com, Vision Board session, etc.) Forums and panel discussions Quarterly or monthly image campaigns Driven by Communications Committee Monthly virtual seminars with guest speakers Driven by Education and Engagement Committee in coordination with other committees for content and speaker ideas.
• MOBB Connections - Quarterly or monthly local chapter meetings / recruitment outings; MOBB United connections; MOBB United Business Directory; special interest groups (e.g., special needs); driven by Chapter Development and Health and Wellness committees with support from Education and Engagement and Eco Dev committees for the directories; quarterly or monthly local chapter meetings/recruitment outings.
• MOBB Speaks