MOI Program Pillars

MOI participants are paired with positive, engaged male mentors who reflect their background and experiences. The mirror of relatability creates an environment that breeds trust. That trust, coupled with access to African American men who've excelled in life, opens the boys up to the endless posibilities for their own futures. MOI mentors offer guidance and support on academic success, career pathways and personal growth and development.

MOI requires academic excellence from all of our participants and has a system of support baked into the core of our program to ensure each student's success.

We understand that achieving academic excellence for some is a daunting task that can appear to be unattainable. Our program has enabled all of our participants, (regardless of physical, mental or emotional challenge or disability), to attain honor roll status with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

We have found that exposing the boys to the significance of their cultural past provides them with a greater understanding of their self worth and abilities. We create opportunities through education, field trips and exposure to people and places of cultural relevance to highlight the achievements of African Americans in history, arts, sciences and public service to create a window of opportunity for them to see the possibilities of their own futures.

Given the unique social and cultural experiences young African American boys face, MOI seeks to serve as a tool to help them navigate the challenges they may face. We've integrated life skills development into our program that focuses on teaching emotional intelligence, effective communication, conflict resolution, self-regulation and resilience.

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Our mentors create a safe space for dialogue, learning and self-reflection that teaches our participants healthy communication strategies and habits that enable them to openly express their feelings, discuss their challenges and receive appropriate emotional support. We believe these key life skills are needed on their journeys to academic success, emotional wholeness and personal development.

We understand presence is an underestimated power. MOI mentors show up for our participants. We build relationships with our student's school administration and teachers and provide a second layer of support for their parents and guardians. We advocate and provide resources that help schools include African American history, literature and cultural studies in their curriculum and provide support when behavioral or disciplinary issues arise. Additionally, we educate parents on how to advocate for their child's educational inclusion and rights.

We believe strong family and community engagement produce more successful outcomes. Our program undergirds our participants by helping to bridge relational gaps. We partner with parents and guardians to help equip them to:

• Build strong support networks

• Strengthen familial bonds and student-teacher relationships

• Foster positive communication and connection with their child(ren)

• Create structure and emotional safety in the home

• Advocate for their child's educational rights

Each MOI Instructor has more than 40 years of martial arts experience and 20 or more years in the law enforcement and justice systems. Our tenure has taught us that both martial arts and para-military training help African American boys develop the physical, mental and emotional fortitude that is necessary to serve as a counter balance to the daily challenges they face, such as systemcic inequalities, social and cultural pressures, disrupted and divided homes, negative stereotypes and bullying.

Through the Arts we're able to teach structure and routine, emotional regulation, build their confidence and self-esteem, provide progession with personal growth & achievement, guide participants to persevere through difficulty, improve overall lifestyle & health outcomes through physical fitness and modeling positive health habits and teach them respect, honor and integrity. 

We emphasize the importance of service to the community and giving back. We require all participants to engage in community service and other forms of civic participation. This tenet reinforces the principle and personal ethic of respect for self, others and authority.

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We believe this encourages healthy relationships with family, peers, educators, law enforcement and other figures of authority in the participants' lives.