Ensuring Black men & boys are equipped with equal opportunities, resources and exposure for career exploration and continuing education.
Minority Males for Higher Education is a non-profit network committed to improving the life outcomes for Black Men and boys in three milestones:
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Asset framing Black males by shifting to narratives that defines them by their aspirations and contributions, rather than using tales of deficit and despair to incite action from stakeholders to gain the sympathetic ear of the public - unaware of the stigmatizing effects.
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Provide grassroots leaders with mental health and self care support and resources that aids in their wellness and prevents burnout.
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Technical assistance and training to help strengthen the field of Black Male Achievement by ensuring organizations and leaders are not working for alternative solutions that do not further marginalize communities.
Through listening & learning, we have selected two focus areas that guide the second phase of our mission.
1. Health & Healing Initiatives
In 2020, we conducted a nationwide survey on men's health (mental, physical, emotional). It revealed an overwhelming need for increase outreach and engagement regarding the various challenges with major health including, depression, anxiety, and the lack of funding for ongoing medications. It is our goal is to provide transformational leadership from the inside out. For the first time we are focusing on self -preservation and healing for our community leaders. MMHE's health and healing initiatives aims to improve health outcomes of black males by promoting and supporting ongoing wellness education, therapy and physical activity and medication management.
MMHE has volunteer medical experts providing offering in-kind telehealth support for Black Males across the country in prioritizing health and wellness. These strategies are designed to ensure that leaders in the field of black male achievement have the proper tools and resources to facilitate and sustain their personal and health and healing, thus having a greater impact on the orgaztions's overall mission and impact.
We provide support by:
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Distributing blood pressure monitors in local barbershops.
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Hosting and facilitating semi-annual wellness retreats that offer mental health group therapy, journaling, and nature exploration.
We are currently looking to grow our Health and Healing Strategies to work with organizations, barbershops in providing self-care and wellness practice for their staff and employees to avoid burnout.
2. Workforce Development
MMHE's Workforce Development offers opportunities that empowers black males to develop key life skills needed that also align with their interests and passions. We offer a layered approach of individual services, group support, and agency partnerships, to connect qualified candidates with advanced training and secondary opportunities.
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Provide career information and guidance, access to training and education, and job search assistance to help individuals reach their career goals.
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Partner with education, industry, and economic development to increase awareness about regional careers and develop Career Pathways that educate people on the skills and credentials they need to get those jobs.
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Career Coaching & mock Interviews with Durham Technical Community College and North Carolina Central University Career Services Center through our community college and vocational training partnerships.
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Providing data to stakeholders about available jobs that are in demand and corresponding wages to ensure relevant training and services are provided to students.
Throughout the year, we encourage our network to attend events with corporate partners to practice mock interview skills and to build a networking rapport. We also create additional workshops and one on one volunteer support from our Human Resource Specialist, who connects them with job opportunities, internship, and networking opportunities.
We also assist businesses with identifying and obtaining a diverse talent of individuals and contractors needed to grow your portfolio of diversified talent in their workforce.
Collectively MMHE's Workforce Team has facilitated placements for 2,000 job opportunities for black males and veterans into workforce opportunities.
Shining Light Awards - Edmund P. Lewis, Jr.
Edmund has devoted his career to educating those who have the heart and will to give but may not necessarily have the knowledge to do so effectively. After earning his bachelor's from North Carolina Central University and his Executive Master's from The University of Michigan, Edmund's professional journey includes philanthropy, grassroots organizing, social entrepreneurship, government affairs, and lastly, as a university professor at his undergraduate institution.
Recognized by The White House, Crain's Detroit Business, the Detroit Free Press, General Motors African American Ancestry Network, and the City of Detroit, he's the voice of a generation, a people's champion who has been fighting for disadvantaged children and families since his first day on the steps of North Carolina Central University, and putting boots on the ground founding MMHE after further recognizing the need for a safe space for black males to navigate their career aspirations vocation and mental wellness, but may lack the motivation and or resources to achieve such endeavors.
Edmund is known for his ability to connect various mid-to-large scale brands in traditional and non-traditional ways, having successfully leveraged million dollars in long-term sustainability - from philanthropic sectors in Detroit to establishing lasting partnerships in Zambia, Edmund is highly skilled in developing innovative strategies at the grassroots and driving revenue, relevance, and reach to impact communities in need.
Through his personal efforts, Lewis has established a donor advised fund in partnership with the Triangle Community Foundation to provide financial support and resources for career exploration, job training and continuing education. This "Bridge Builder Fund" is utilized to provide pipeline support for black males while utilizing the Triangle Community Foundation as the giving arm for community support & the leveraging of additional support to fund black led organizations.
A leader and thought partner, Edmund considers “Garaging” a verb, wellness his top priority, and music and nature are two of life’s greatest treasures. Of all the things Edmund has accomplished professionally, personally, Lewis enjoys hiking the Appalachian trail, bass fishing, vintage cars and a hot cup of hibiscus tea.
"Be who you needed when you were younger."