Men of Our H.O.O.D.: Ohio State Alumni Develop School-Based Non-Profit for Young Black Men in Columbus
March 22, 2021
Nearly 40 years ago in Newark, New Jersey, four young black men made a pact that despite any life obstacles and challenges, they would all become doctors. This agreement became the basis for The Pact, a book chronicling their journey from high school to medical school graduation.
Just over three years ago in Columbus, six recent graduates and Ohio State Young Scholars, made a similar promise: that they would become successful no matter what life threw their way. One of those men was Joe Ingram (MSW, 2020) – two-time graduate of Ohio State and Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director of Men of Our H.O.O.D.
Shortly after graduating with his MSW, Ingram and his Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director Demondre Peak (current MSW student) sat down to have an informal discussion about their life experiences and the gaps in support that exist for young black boys. Out of this conversation – Men of Our H.O.O.D. (Helping Ourselves Obtain Dignity) was born.
Rooted in group dialogue, book discussions and experiential learning, Men of Our H.O.O.D. was officially launched in July of 2020. The program is aimed at engaging high-school freshmen, with plans for them to grow with the curriculum until graduation. Weekly facilitated conversations, centered on a specific book, take place for 10 weeks. During this time program leaders will prioritize the following: critical thinking and analysis, normalizing literacy, identity development, cultural awareness and empathy, leadership development and educational access.
Ingram and Peak also plan to implement monthly experiential learning and travel, to higher education institutions and trade schools, giving youth the opportunity to explore a variety of professional tracks post-graduation. The pilot cohort, and freshmen students, will begin with a group discussion of The Pact, a story that aims to be both relatable and inspiring to many of the program participants.
While still fairly new, both Ingram and Peak have a clear long-term vision for the organization. Reflecting on the goals, Peak said, “I want to see us developing a pipeline of taking young men who are in a school system that doesn’t support their success, to achieving post-secondary success or education.”
Ingram’s vision for his students is similar: “My biggest thing is cultivating graduates who know where they are going in their next steps. I also want to see at least 90% of our participants graduate from high school.”
While meaningful, this work is not without its challenges. Many young black men, especially those in poverty, are faced with a myriad of challenges on the daily basis. From food insecurity to neighborhood violence and trauma, the student’s environments play a tremendous role in their ability to think critically about their future, especially in the long-term. Nevertheless, Ingram and Peak are prepared for the challenges of this work:
“I had to recall my own story and remember the times when I had to learn the hard way because I wasn’t in a place to be able to accept the lesson. In those moments I just have to step back and self-reflect. Not to give up on them because people didn’t give up on me. That one moment where somebody does realize that something I did or said finally clicked, outweighs all of the challenging moments.” – Ingram noted, reflecting on his own challenges as an adolescent.
Despite the obstacles, both are proud to share that the program has already seen success.
“One week we were talking about trauma and how when you are surrounded by trauma you normalize it. It was an incredible moment to see them really internalize it and realize that hearing gunshots and neighborhood violence is not what they should be experiencing.” Peak shared, “They are being taught that the trauma is not normal.”
Although challenging, both Ingram and Peak remain fiercely committed to the growth of Men Of Our H.O.O.D. and young men they work with, likening their mission to a domino effect that is sure to effect all of us in the future.
“Our slogan is ‘Changing Lives One Book at A Time’,” stated Ingram.” This is for our next generation of leaders. It’s our responsibility. I wanted somebody to be that for me and my generation. If they see me wanting to make a change, they will want to make a similar change. It’s a domino effect after that.”
Within the next year or two, Ingram and Peak hope to grow the program into multiple schools – and even hire facilitators that can deeply engage with the students on a regular basis. For now, they are always welcoming donations, whether its books, supplies or monetary support. Peak and Ingram also hope to continue raising awareness about the organization and need in Columbus.
Those seeking to learn more about Men of Our H.O.O.D. can https://menofourhood.wixsite.com/lifechangers.
