In recent months, a number of organizations have released reports, conducted studies and held forums on the state of young black men in this country. Below are online resources related to those efforts.

2007 State of Black America
National Urban League

In its 2007 State of Black America report, the National Urban League focuses its annual analysis on the problems facing young black men and say they represent America's most serious social crisis. The report cites bleak data on incarceration, joblessness and AIDS and proposes an aggressive campaign to provide them with more opportunities.

The 97-year-old black empowerment organization calls for universal early-childhood education, more second-chance programs for school dropouts and ex-offenders, and expanded use of all-male schools emphasizing mentoring and longer class hours.

2007 State of Black America executive summary

Black Youth Project
Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture
University of Chicago

The "Black Youth and Empowerment: Sex, Politics, and Culture" project examines the attitudes, resources, and culture of African-American youth ages 15 to 25, exploring how these factors and others influence their decision-making, norms, and behavior in critical domains such as sex, health, and politics.

A look at empirical data shows the complex beliefs, attitudes and character of black youth. It reveals that although African-American youth are just as politically motivated as Hispanic and white youth, believing that they have the skills to participate and can make a difference, they are skeptical of the political process, asserting that "leaders in government care little about people like me."

Black Youth Project Web site
More information

Reconnecting Disadvantaged Young Men
Urban Institute

By several recent counts, the United States is home to 2 to 3 million black youth age 16 through 24 who are out of school and out of work. Much has been written on disadvantaged youth, and government policy has gone through many incarnations, yet questions remain unanswered. Why are so many young people "disconnected," and what can public policy do about it? And why has disconnection become more common for young men -- particularly African-American men and low-income men -- than for young women? In Reconnecting Disadvantaged Young Men, the study offers analysis and policy prescriptions to solve this growing crisis.

"Reconnecting Disadvantaged Young Men" Web site

Paths to Success: A Forum on Young African-American Men
Kaiser Family Foundation, Washington Post

"Paths to Success: A Forum on Young African-American Men," was sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation and The Washington Post in Washington, D.C., last summer. It sought solutions from a diverse panel that included Dr. Bill Cosby, former gang members now working against gang violence, educators, scholars and two black men who graduated at the top of their high school class.

More information about Paths to Success, on the Kaiser Family Foundation Web site