Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME)

Jack Drummond, Director of Black Male Engagement
Jack Drummond, Director – Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement

The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) operates as the first office of its kind in the United States of America. As an intentional branch of Philadelphia’s local governmental structure, the Office looks to serve as a “voice” and liaison between individuals/ organizations and local government.  Utilizing a policy-driven – collective impact model, OBME leads the City’s work around closing the opportunity divide for men and boys of color.

OBME works to align and focus resources and initiatives towards the specific goal of reducing economic and social disparities along with improving outcomes for Black men and boys and the communities in which they live. The overarching purpose of OBME also includes a focus on serving Latino, Asian, immigrant and other populations of men and boys in the City of Philadelphia.

In February of 2016, Mayor James F. Kenney appointed Jack Drummond to lead the office.

Download our brochure to learn more.

AUGUST 2018

Greetings City Leader/ Employee:

  • Please consider sharing this invitation with Black/ Brown men in your division.

On August 15, 2018, the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) will host our 2nd Philadelphia Men & Boy’s of Color Collaborative (PMBOCC): Majority Forum.  The monthly forum will convene from 12 noon – 1:00 pm (please be prompt).

Born out of the need for solidarity while working in challenging and complex governmental structures, the forum was created to provide a meeting space for Black & Brown men who work in City government.  Specifically, the forums will be used to highlight and address broad race/ equity challenges, social/ individual empowerment strategies, and promote collaborative solidarity among this demographic.  Considering the times, supporting one another in and around the City is imperative.  Please share with the appropriate people in your division.

The forums are designed to:

  • Provide a safe space for Black & Brown men to support, network, and organize in local government.
  • Acknowledge the groups’ unique experience in government and provide feedback
  • Network with City leaders
  • Gain multiple strategies and support around working in City government
  • Promote self/ group care
  • Training options

 

Consider reading the attached report from our July 11th meeting to get an idea of what to expect.  Email jack.drummond@phila.gov for the report.

To register for the first forum – click HERE.

Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) SPOTLIGHT GUIDE   

The Office of Black Male Engagement values those who help to transform the Narrative for Men & Boys of Color in the City of Philadelphia.  Our SPOTLIGHT GUIDE includes a series of folks who we’ve interviewed (or will interview) about what they are doing in the City to transform the landscape around disparities that impact men & boys of color in Philadelphia. The interviews are shared on our social media networks and used as a resource for the community at large.

If you are interested in being interviewed or would like to recommend someone for an interview, please contact the creator of the guide:

Click below to view our SPOTLIGHT GUIDE

Sample SPOTLIGHT Interviews:

Black CAP’s Philly 2018- May 24

Highlighted July Event:

Greetings Village:

In the spirit of keeping you informed on Melanin Enriched Matters regarding Men & Boys of Color in the City of Philadelphia, please find the following event(s) sponsored by, co-sponsored by, and/ or supported by the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME):

The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement and the Center for Male Engagement (CCP) presents the 19th -My Brother’s Keeper Community Conversation:

Topic: Health & Wellness: Black Men’s Health / Health Landscape for Men & Boys of Color – Ancestor Lifted During Talk-  Dr. Sebi

The Office of Black Male Engagement and Professionals in the Health & Wellness fields invite you to speak out, listen to empowering messages, exchange resources, and share valuable lessons/ practices.

Date:  Thursday , July 19th  

Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: Pleasant Recreation Center (6720 Boyer St., Philadelphia PA 19119) 2 block from Germantown Ave.

Highlighted Health & Wellness Resource:

Panelists include:

  • Moderator: Raynard Washington, PhD, MPH, Chief Epidemiologist, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
  • Lisa M. Lewis, Associate Professor and Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, University of Pennsylvania
  • Karen Celestine, RN, BSN, MPH, Fountaine Fellow, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
  • Lee Carson, Director of the Philadelphia Area Sexual Health Initiative (PASHI), Public Health Management Corporation

 

Goal: 1) Encourage community dialogue 2) Provide pathways to community action 3) Create a report that may be used to accompany policy recommendations 

REGISTER HERE

 

 

Public Statement re: David Jones – Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement

In a time when tensions are rising in a nation currently challenging its own tenants around liberty and justice, Black men are still suffering. We are suffering due to senseless acts of violence committed by all facets of society. In Philadelphia, the perception is that a big part of our suffering is born from the idea that movement around challenges that impact Black men seem slowly approached or unimportant. We know that members of the community want to hear what is being done about justice for Black men and how we are involved in transforming the narrative.
To be clear, the Office and the Commission has been monitoring the police-involved shooting incident of David Jones since the devastating incident occurred. We are asking for all due diligence from both the City and the State Attorney General as they conduct a thorough review and investigation of the case respectively. We are hopeful that communication regarding the aforementioned will include information about the deadly force policy as it applies to this case.
In the interim, it is important to work together as a community to ensure the safety of Black men and the integrity of the Philadelphia Police Department and other departments. The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement and the Commission on African American Males will continue to support Black men in the city by advocating for justice for Black men & boys in Philadelphia.
Jack Drummond, Director
Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement
The Office of Black Male Engagement and the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males is committed to the equitable and fair treatment of Black men and boys in spaces of Justice, Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Development.
Statement from former Commission Chair, Kevin Covington (Mayor’s Commission on African American Males – MCAAM):
The Mayor’s Commission on African American Males is keenly aware of the challenges that exist here in Philadelphia, specifically those that impact the lives of Black men and boys. There are a number of incidents that involve Black men being mistreated by the Philadelphia Police Department and in some cases killed with little explanation and even less consequence. As many question the systems that are in place to protect them, the city must address these incidents.
The role of the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males is to develop policies that will improve the lives of our Black men and to give voice to a community that is too often viewed negatively. We want to serve as an incubator of positive change in Philadelphia for all Black men and boys and do the work necessary to lift and keep our Black men and boys in a positive light.