California Funders for Boys and Men of Color (CFBMoC) is proud to announce a new partnership with MENTOR California to support the success of boys and men of color in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. Together, we are launching a cohort of grantees to inform the development of a comprehensive 5-year education system blueprint, designed to increase opportunities and dismantle barriers to post-secondary success.

Through this initiative, CFBMoC has awarded $300,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to expanding access to higher education and career technical programs for boys and men of color. Our goal is to significantly increase the number of students pursuing and completing a post-secondary degree or career technical certificate by 2030.

MENTOR California will provide training and technical support while we are co-convening the grantee cohort to collaboratively shape the education blueprint. This ambitious plan will center the inherent strengths and potential of boys of color and will include key resources such as:

• Curriculum Design
• Culturally Relevant Teaching Practices
• Mentorship Models
• Mental Health Support
• Community Engagement Strategies
• Policy Development Resources

Marcus Strother, Executive Director of MENTOR California, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:

“MENTOR California is thrilled to partner with the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color to design an education blueprint alongside our dedicated community partners. Together, we are creating a transformative path for boys of color—one that celebrates their brilliance, supports their growth, and opens doors to limitless possibilities.”

Chet P. Hewitt, Founding CEO of The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, reinforced the importance of mentorship and community-driven solutions in achieving racial equity in education:

“Students of color deserve expanded support to reduce racial disparities in college enrollment and completion. By leveraging the power of mentorship and investing in community-driven solutions, this blueprint will lay a foundation for academic success and well-being for the next generation. We’re excited to partner with MENTOR California in building a future where every young man of color has pathways to thrive.”

This collaboration is just the beginning of a transformative effort to create lasting change in education for boys and men of color. By prioritizing mentorship, culturally relevant education, and systemic reform, we are working to create pathways toward a more equitable and inclusive future for all who call California home.