For the past three years Robert Morris University and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh have been making a difference for African American teenage boys with the Black Male Leadership Development Institute. But this year the program has grown even more.
Dr. Rex L. Crawley, head of the Department of Communication at Robert Morris University is also the codirector of the Black Male Leadership Development Institute, a program partnered by RMU and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.
UrbanMediaToday.com spoke with Dr. Crawley on the program, expansion, participants and the role Robert Morris University will play during their week long visit.
BMLDI is a program designed to reach African American males in grades through 12th. To expose and educate the young gentlemen through daily seminars and workshops. Dr. Crawley stated that several successful African American men will be on hand to share their leadership skills like Judge Joe Williams, television and radio host Chris Moore, and Alex Johnson, President of Community College of Allegheny County.
The program was able to expand this year through funding from The Heinz Endowments. Their financial support will allow the BMLDI to be a year long program. “After the week long seminar, a mentoring program will continue called Saturday Institute,” said Crawley. The Saturday Institute will meet once a month and mentor them throughout the school year.
Last year there were 50 young men on hand, but now with the expansion, the Black Male Leadership Development Institute will host 65 teenagers in all on the campus of Robert Morris University.
Dr. Crawley adds, “RMU is excited to be have the participants on campus and experiencing college life.”
If you have a teen interested in participating in the Black Male
Leadership Development Institute, contact the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.
