YouLead Black Male Initiative

Transitioning to the rigor of academics while exploring the newfound freedoms of a college campus is not an easy task. Most of our students have said that they found that the effort they applied to their academics in high school was not enough to meet the standards of higher education. Students find themselves in a new environment, no longer living at home to receive whatever support they were provided with while there. Students find themselves struggling with fitting in, homesickness, and isolation being away from their familiar environment at home.

Inbound freshmen have an idea of what they hope to do with their college degree but more often than not, there is a disconnect between what they want out of college and what they are willing to put into it. Student Success Coaching provides scholars with the space to explore their passion and what truly inspires them. Students struggling with adjustments to collegiate living are provided the motivational tools and support they need to ensure their success.

Each participant is provided with an assessment during their first semester at Howard University. This bio-psycho-social assessment takes in the totality of the student as he begins his journey in higher education. In this meeting, students share their past experiences with academics and leadership. Additionally, students are advised of the differences between the requirements of being a stellar high school student and meeting the academic rigor of freshman year. Students share what they hope to get out of college, their reason for choosing their field of study, and the career goals that are driving their decision. Lastly, students are encouraged to be engaged in school activities and building community while also being warned of the potential pitfalls of independence.

Freshmen are required to meet with the Program Director to receive coaching and encouragement during their first year, but many students choose to keep ongoing engagement through ‘accountability check-ins’ weekly – 15 minutes to talk about your prior week's accomplishments or struggles as well as plans for the upcoming week. In these meetings students also are challenged to own their passion and are provided honest conversation about personal, academic, and professional opportunities that will help them leverage that passion and ensure their success.

While the program is designed to ensure first year success, retention numbers are also important. Students are encouraged to stay engaged beyond their freshman year. While freshmen are exposed to all things that Howard University School of Business has to offer, sophomores benefit from refinement and engagement with the resources available to meet their particular goals. Juniors and seniors also benefit from ongoing engagement as they can further explore professional mentorship and development opportunities as well as pointed career direction and supportive letters of recommendation. The open-door atmosphere and the ease it creates keeps students engaged with program staff – outside of their required meeting – openly sharing their journey and eagerly seeking guidance.

Thanks to the generous support of the Executive Leadership Council and our Endowment Scholarships, scholars have an opportunity to apply for $50,000 in scholarships. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional progress and participation in the YLMI program to be considered for merit or needs based scholarships.

Students are exposed to a series of lecture formatted discussions with influential black male leaders in the business community throughout the semester. They hear about real life challenges in corporate America and learn tips on successful professional development strategies and approaches.

Students are provided opportunities to build personal and professional networks. Mentoring with successful African- American males is a key component and outcome measurement for YLMI. Freshmen are welcomed into the School of Business brotherhood at our annual Tie Ceremony, held in collaboration with the 100 Black Men of Greater Washington DC chapter. There students are provided their first chance of seeking professional mentorship.

Throughout the year, students are coached on navigating that mentor relationship with hopes of identifying desirable traits and qualities of a mentor more closely aligned with their career objectives. This information is used to pair returning sophomores with a formal professional mentor from the 100 Black Men of Greater Washington DC. Additionally, the School of Business Council, the Mentor Director of YLMI, and the Howard University Student Association work to provide freshmen with a peer mentor to help them navigate their time at Howard. While these relationships develop organically, mentorship is encouraged and is proven to be a successful intervention to ensure college success.

Various pro-social events are held to help create a synergy and a sense of unity between the scholars. Motivational speakers, tangible skills development seminars, and rite of passage ceremonies help build that sense of community. Pro-social activities allow scholars to organically create relationships that will also serve to expand their professional networks upon graduation. Students expressed an interest in doing more community-based activities to help strengthen their sense of brotherhood, and the Howard University School of Business community structure allows opportunities to engage around common interests.

Student academic performance is monitored throughout the semester and students are encouraged to engage program staff to help identify academic support in specific subject areas they may struggle with. Students are taught time management skills in their success coaching sessions and are encouraged to share their test and assignment dates via their calendar with YLMI. This allows staff and our YLMI Director of Academics a visual of upcoming exams so they can coordinate a “Meeting of the Minds” focused study session or arrange 1-1 tutor sessions with one of our many capable 21Cap tutors.

Additionally, Howard University School of Business has a host of resources – most notable, our Centers of Excellence! These Centers provide resources, training, scholarships, cohort community, internships, and job opportunities to those with ongoing engagement. During the freshman year, students are introduced to the Centers and are shown natural alignments during their initial success coaching assessment. Introductions are made with Center staff and interested students and targeted information from the various centers is provided to students by focus throughout the year. In the sophomore year and beyond, students are encouraged to engage in specific programming and center activities based on their career goals and objectives. The resources are available, and reminders are provided to increase the odds a student will make the connection themselves.

Participants express a feeling and longing for a sense of brotherhood and community, and YLMI provides them with that opportunity. In "Men Tell All" conversations, scholars hold honest conversations about matters that concern young Black men. Additionally, the YLMI Director of Service identifies a project annually so the young men are able to engage in direct service of a worthy initiative or a vulnerable population.