Join M.O.B.B. United as we launch Women's History Month with a special surprise guest. She is the former Executive Director of the National Council of Negro Women (2016 - 2022) where she made remarkable strides, she currently serves as their General Counsel. This amazing woman has partnered with Jesse Jackson as General Counsel and Vice President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Citizenship Education Fund. A true freedom fighter, Civil Rights warrior, and Champion of Change, our guest will shine a light on the fight forward as we discuss "The Economics of Mass Incarceration". Tune in, you don't want to miss this!

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Share any part of our whys? 

M.O.B.B. United is committed to creating opportunities for our SonShines to learn and grow.

In 2017, we officially launched our internship program nationally, providing opportunities for young people to gain real-life experience. To date, M.O.B.B. United has hosted 14 interns in the areas of Communication, Policy, Social Media, and M.O.B.B. Connections.

M.O.B.B. United wants to continue to provide opportunities for young men and women to impact the important work being done; we want to assist the coming generations to gain a sense of responsibility to stand up and use their voice.

If you are interested in Policy & Advocacy, Content & Communications, Educational Advocacy, Health & Wellness, Project Management, Strategic Partnerships, or local Chapter Development please email your letter of interest and resume to [email protected]

MOBB United Committees

M.O.B.B. United's Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the day-to-day operations.  Committee members are volunteers who partner with the ED to ensure the work is done. If you are a MOBB and you are interested in volunteering with one of our committees, please take a moment to visit our Volunteer Page.

Policy & Advocacy

Monitor, review, and suggest public policies and develop policy implementation plans for M.O.B.B. United through policy mechanisms such as bills, laws, and regulations in order to prevent and prosecute the use of excessive force and unjustified deadly force against Black men and boys. The Policy & Advocacy committee is also responsible for monitoring incidents involving Black men and boys and initiating an organizational response. [email protected]

Content & Communications

Set and guide the strategy for all communications, website content, public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate M.O.B.B. United's mission. This includes op-ed Creation, anti-defamation/media monitoring, social media, media relations, communications strategy and creative services & content development. [email protected]

Educational Advocacy

Educational Advocacy assists moms and sons by providing informative resources and referrals, connecting with community organizations, and forming partnerships with schools and other organizations to support the growth, development, and success of Black boys and men. This includes assisting families with issues related to I.D.E.A. and the fair treatment of exceptional students. [email protected]

Health & Wellness

Assist the M.O.B.B. United community in dealing with the trauma associated with the repeated unjustified killings and negative media images of Black males. Primarily addressing anxiety, fear, sadness and PTSD. M.O.B.B. United Health & Wellness aims to be inclusive and accessible to all MOBBs [email protected]

Technology

Organizational tech assistance, which includes building, maintaining, managing the M.O.B.B. United infrastructure to support organization activities. The Tech committee troubleshoots and provides direct assistance to M.O.B.B. United leaders, assists in securing proprietary information, and email assignment and security.  [email protected]

Strategic Partnerships

In direct partnership with the Executive Director, this committee helps to identify, cultivate, and manage the strategic partnerships of both Moms of Black Boys United & Moms of Black Boys for Social Change. [email protected]

Chapter Development

Serving as a resource to local Chapter Leaders, Chapter Development coordinates with members from various states and regions to provide a vehicle to protect and support Black boys and men through influencing local policies and regulations, demonstrating collective political and economic power, changing perceptions, partnering strategically with local/state organizations, and promoting self-care in our respective communities. [email protected]

Do you need assistance? Email [email protected]  

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!

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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“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.

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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!

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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!

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Mental Health Warriors: The Exonerated Marvin Anderson & The Mother Who Loves Him
Posted by Beth Lunde · May 21, 2024 6:49 AM

A Black Man's Pain - Intimate Conversation W/ Authors of The Invisible Ache
Posted by Beth Lunde · May 18, 2024 6:39 AM

Town Hall - Young And Civic Minded - Davan'te Jennings
Posted by Beth Lunde · May 14, 2024 6:35 AM

  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.

In 2016 I found myself fighting alone. My son was nine years old and facing health challenges when he had his first police contact in his elementary school. I felt helpless as I saw the fear in my son's eyes. In his life there was so much I could not control, and now I could not control how the school was hurting him. I was in the middle of fighting, trying to preserve the hope in my son's eyes, the joy he once had when I was added to a group of women who were screaming the same thing. MOBB United gave me a place to turn my outrage into action and I felt less alone.

I have watched this world incrementally dim the light from my son's eyes. Trying to restore the glow and remind him of his greatness is why I am still here.

My two sons deserve to thrive, receive grace, love, peace, joy, and to have a future free of harm!