The challenges facing males of color across the Mid South have created monumental disparities in comparison to other groups over the decades. Males of color are too often left without quality education and guidance to move them towards achievement in higher education and career preparation. Combined, these issues entrap males of color and their families in a generational cycle of poverty. They are left facing unemployment or underemployment that prevents them from making a living wage.

In an effort to address these challenges, Foundation for the Mid South has expanded the “Males of Color: Cultivating Leaders for Today and Tomorrow” initiative, which works to support local organizations across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas that are already doing good work towards improving the quality of life for males of color.

As part of this expansion, Foundation for the Mid South announced grant investments for local organizations in two Louisiana cities in early October. Monroe and Shreveport organizations will receive $90,000 in each city to support their programs and work.

Grant Recipients

Monroe Organizations

Grants announced October 6, 2014 at Monroe City Public Safety Building

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated Eta Delta Lambda Chapter
• Monroe LA Alumnae Chapter
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated
• Monroe City Police Department
• Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office

Shreveport Organizations

Grants announced October 7, 2014 at Shreveport Job Corps Center Jaguarland Gymnasium

• B.E.L.T. Foundation
• Red River Chapter Jack and Jill
• Shreveport Job Corps Center
• Zion Baptist Church

For both Monroe and Shreveport, these grants will be put towards increasing education outcomes for males of color (including high school graduation rates and college preparedness) in addition to improving career readiness.

Identifying Effective Strategies

Foundation for the Mid South is interested not only in aiding the continued work of organizations across the Mid South to improve the quality of life for males of color, but in strategically identifying successful strategies that produce positive results for males of color in education and career. Once these successful strategies have been identified, they can be taken and applied to other organizations across the Mid South.

Instead of keeping success confined to a single community, we can take proven strategies to new communities rather than starting from scratch. Through this collective work, groups can have a wider reach and impact as they tackle the challenges that face males of color in the region.

Foundation for the Mid South expects these grants to be utilized in a way that will ultimately improve the academic outcomes for males of color in ways that will propel them to higher education and successful careers.

The generational cycle of poverty, incarceration, and early mortality for males of color can be broken. Together, we can combat and demolish the barriers that are detrimental to the quality of life for males of color.