Mayor Scott’s Boys and Young Men of Color Cabinet Inaugural Meeting
“Seeing such a large number of young people on corners illustrates our failings as a city. This practice has been part of Baltimore culture for a long time, growing over the last 20 years to become more widespread, visible and divisive. We have to acknowledge the trauma, and challenges our youth that squeegee face,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott.
“I understand what many of these young men and women are going through. It is crucial that we look at this as a public health matter, look at the underlying factors that cause these young people to squeegee and provide wrap-around services to give them the support they need.”
As apart of his 90 Day Squeegee Action Plan, Mayor Scott charged the Mayor’s Office of African American Male Engagement (MOAMME) and the Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success (MOCFS) with convening business, community, nonprofit, philanthropic, academic, and youth leaders to recommend strategies to deepen the impact of the City’s efforts to support boys and young men of color (BYMOC), specifically those between the ages of 14 and 24 who are disconnected from school and work. On January 24, 2022, the Cabinet had its inaugural meeting with 28 partners representing community and institutional organizations to approve its charter and begin identifying the organizations and existing plans in place to support BYMOC within the areas of school, economic opportunity, wellness, and safety.
The cabinet members will have independent action items outside of meetings and plans to meet bi-weekly through March to produce an “Opportunity BYMOC Agenda.” Youth members are paid for their participation as subject matter experts. Bloomberg Associates is a technical assistance partner in this work.
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