Buffalo Making a Difference Youth Program

Mission: The United Black Men’s Think Tank of Buffalo, Inc. and Buffalo Making a Difference Youth Program has established working relationships and association with various community groups, businesses and religious organizations throughout Western NY.

It is our goal to continue to work on behalf of the Citizens of the City of Buffalo and surrounding area serving its residents in a highly professional and ethical manner.

Origin and Development

In early 2014 after learning of President Barak Obama’s initiative, My Brother’s Keeper, The United Black Men’s Think Tank of Buffalo, Inc. recognized the need to address the critical problem of juvenile delinquency in the city of Buffalo New York.

Its new president and executive committee decided to focus on a solution to this problem common to many large cities in America today, and decided to develop a program for the inner city children of Buffalo.

Drawing on the past experience of its president, Hosie Arnold, the Black Think Tank designed Buffalo Making a Difference Youth Program (B MAD) modeled after the former St. Peter Claver Youth Program, originally located at the old Turner Carrol High School campus, 185 Lang Street, where he served as Executive Director for over 20 years.

The overall goal of the Buffalo Making A Difference Youth Program “B MAD” is to provide a creative and constructive after school activity located in a facility where inner-city children and at risk young men, from low income families can participate in meaningful, structured activities, supervised by caring and knowledgeable adult role models in a safe environment, free of bullying, and abusive and otherwise unsafe conditions. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  B MAD will offer developmental support sessions dealing with the critical challenges young girls and school age boys face as poor inner-city children often times lack the support systems commonly offered in more affluent communities and neighborhoods.   

In addition, B MAD will provide personal, social development instruction and classes where children learn good hygiene and personal grooming skills. Of course, there will be recreational and athletic components to include but not be limited to sports activities such as basketball, and field sports.  

Most importantly, however, B MAD will also include an   academic enrichment program to address the need for assistance for those young “black males” who would otherwise be early dropouts, helping them complete “high school” and it will also provide other needed services such as after school snacks and evening meals.