THE FOUNDER'S CORNER

Volunteer: MOBB United Needs You

by Depelsha McGruder

     Over the past year, MOBB United was busy at work advocating for the protection of our sons. We made our national debut at the Essence Festival in New Orleans this Summer and with the OWN Network on a show called “Checked Inn” ...

SPECIAL FEATURE

Holidays without Him

by Sonya Marchan and Vanessa McCullers

     Ahhh, the holidays are here! For many of us, this is a time of joyful anticipation, warm fuzzy feelings and memories of blissful family gatherings that may, or may not, include a heated discussion about who makes the best potato salad. All in all, the expectation is that the month of December ...

MOBB United Online

by Vanessa McCullers and Tiffany Bargeman

     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 ...

Ed and Eng Committee Update: Black Minds Matter course

by Kumari Ghafoor-Davis

     Happy December, beautiful MOBB United Moms! We have had a busy year. One of the goals of the organization is to provide critical support to Moms and further their ability to advocate on behalf of their sons. The Education and Engagement Committee has several projects we have been working on to stay true to the MOBB United mission ...

Policy and Advocacy Committee Progress

by Delicia Hand and Frankie Robertson

     The MOBB United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC) Policy and Advocacy Committee sets the strategic policy priorities and drives advocacy initiatives for the organization. As a committee, we set and lead execution of MUSC’s policy agenda, research policies that impact Black men and boys, identify opportunities to advocate on ...

Black Sons Abroad

by Tiffany Bargeman

     How many travel writers under the age of 10 years old do you know? None? Well, I'm excited to introduce you to 9-year-old Jace and his little brother, 8-year-old Merl. They are authors, travelers, and young Black princes making their way across the miles and making their ...

Black Sons in Military Service

by Natasha Marie

     James Weldon Johnson said: "We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Here now we stand at last, Where the white gleam of our ...

Gifted Sons -
In the Shark Tank

by Rebecca Palermo

     When the critically acclaimed reality show, Shark Tank, called Ryan Diew in the spring of 2017, his mom, Danine Manette, was not surprised. Ryan’s budding mobile app, Trippie, was in its infancy, but he had garnered recognition from a variety of authorities on entrepreneurship. Further, he had displayed ingenuity and ambition since ...

If You Build It,
They Will Come

by Pamela Wood-Garcia

     Many celebrities have used their positions in the spotlight to make small gestures that made huge statements and brought major progress in civil rights. For example, Nina Simone used her platform as a singer to produce songs that contained lyrics congruent to her beliefs on civil rights. Not only did these songs empower the ...

Special Needs Committee Overview

by Kimberley Alexander

     The ability to experience profound worry is almost a prerequisite for motherhood. When you’re the mother of a Black boy born into this American society, that worry increases exponentially ...

Chapter Development Overview

by Alycia Grace

     Chapter Development began just a few days after the Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. group was formed on Facebook. With a vast number of moms joining the private group and wanting to connect, we began to create state files so that moms in the same area could connect locally. This was an awesome idea, as many members began ...

Moms Reaching across the Race Aisle: True Sisterhood

by Kara L. Higgins

     My first Cabbage Patch doll was a little boy with dark, chocolate skin, and the first boy I kissed was a sweet, nerdy Black kid. My folks were both in education, voted Democrat, and believed that their actions spoke louder than words. I was the blue-eyed ...

Strategic Financial Partnerships: Banking and Buying Black

by C.K. LeDaniel

     In 2011, I moved my money out of a big bank and into a small credit union, one that serves the community of color in which I work. I did this on Bank Transfer Day, launched that November 5th by a woman in California who was ired by newly imposed ATM fees. Bank Transfer Day coincided ...

Facebook Repost: Lynda Jones on Incarcerated Sons

by Tiffany Bargeman

     Publisher's Note: Usually, what is discussed in the Moms of Black Boys United private Facebook group remains confidential. Once in awhile though, we get permission from members to repost entries of notable impact. Check out this one by mom Lynda Jones ...

MOBB United Poetry

The Legacy of America

by Jamie Hoffman

"Red, white, and blue, yes, you!

When all is said and done what will be the legacy of your daughters and your sons?

Will we remember the true natives who were slaughtered and uprooted so that flags of England could be placed upon bloody soil?

Do you hear the beat of their drums? The war cry of their souls? Their arrows piercing the wind?

Fooled into believing their foes were..."

MOBB UNITED NEEDS YOU: Become a Volunteer Today!

by Tiffany Bargeman

     Volunteer Shout Out
Natasha Marie

     This lady right here! Natasha Marie has hit the ground running with MOBB United for Social Change, Inc. (MUSC) and Moms of Black Boys United, Inc. She volunteered to write for the newsletter and has so far turned out some excellent pieces: “Young, Black and Incarcerated” and “Hopes and Dreams while Serving Time”, both of which give a powerful voice to moms of incarcerated sons. Check out her latest...

     She says, "Being a volunteer with MOBB United has literally been a Godsend! My prayer has been to connect with other women who are of like-minded faith. Finding other women who are mothers (particularly of Black boys) has been an added bonus to my prayers..."