What You Should Know About Young Men of Color

Young leaders participating at the Forward Promise convening that took place in July 2015 tell the world what they wish people knew about being a young man of color. Listening to their voices and struggles—but in particular their vision of how the world could be for young men of color—is a powerful reminder that when we treat young people like leaders, their leadership blossoms. If you want to understand how to collectively build a path toward a healthy and productive adulthood for young men of color, learn more at www.rwjf.org/forwardpromise.
It's clear that young men of color face daunting barriers to health that directly impact their potential to succeed and thrive. Access to a series of supports and conditions specifically designed to address these barriers can dramatically change their life course trajectory. That is why the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched our Forward Promise initiative a few years ago.
We are asking: What would it look like for every young man of color to grow up in a Culture of Health? A #CultureofHealth with positive school environments, access to role models, job training, support to understand and heal from trauma in their lives, and pathways to college and career, are all great places to start.