In 2015 the Dubuque Black Men Coalition was an ad hoc group that began meeting to promote networking among new professional black arrivals in Dubuque. The members soon recognized a lack of connection between Dubuque’s black professionals and the young black men of the community. This was referred to by Andre Lessears, the City of Dubuque’s Training and Workforce Development coordinator and member of the Dubuque Black Men Coalition as Dubuque having “a black population, but not a black community.” Because they did not connect, black youth continued to identify with the larger urban areas which they had left and where they possibly had family.
Members of the Dubuque Black Men Coalition formed teams to meet regularly with black students at both high schools. Teams of three men met with approximately twenty students.
The goal of the Manhood Project, supported by the Dubuque Black Men Coalition and the March of Dimes, offer role models and advice to teen boys in the Tri-States. The program aimed to teach teens how to create a sense of empowerment, self-esteem, and combat ignorance while providing motivation to change behavior healthily. Some of the students involved might or might not have been exposed to adults, positive adults, and male role models in their lives. The groups aimed to have them hear those voices very positively.
In 2014 the Dubuque Black Men Coalition received a 365 Award in Youth Advocacy.
Sources: https://www.
Nevans-Pederson, Mary. “Building a Black ‘Community.'” Telegraph Herald, March 29, 2012.