CBMA City

Detroit, MI

City Scorecard

Total Population

690,074

Black Male Population

256,281

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About Detroit

AS ONE OF OUR BUILDING BLOCK CITIES, DETROIT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATED CITIES in our Promise of Place report (tied for #1). This is based on its strong score in the areas of CBMA Membership, Black men and boys stakeholders, and presence of initiatives that CBMA can leverage and partner with a strong funding base. Moreover, the funding footprint led by The Skillman Foundation has cultivated a Social Innovator cohort that marshals community-based supports for Black men and boys. Detroit is home to six BMA Innovators: Detroit Parent Network, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, Don Bosco Hall, Green Door Initiative, The Yunion, Inc., and Neighborhood Service Organization’s Youth Initiatives Project.

BLACK MALE ACHIEVEMENT WORK IS ABOUT REIMAGINING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, RESHAPING OUR ECONOMY, AND BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CITIES. FOR ME, IT’S ABOUT ASKING OUR COMMUNITIES, "WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR A SAFE AND JUST CITY?" Amanda Alexander FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DETROIT JUSTICE CENTER (2017 FELLOW, ECHOING GREEN)

Local stakeholders scored their city mostly on average across all eight building blocks, signaling solid foundations currently in place to strengthen their local BMA field. Detroit’s strongest building blocks are Actionable Agenda for Black men and boys and City Administration Commitment to Black Men and Boys, with average scores of 5.26 and 5.21 out of 10, respectively. The weakest building block is Funding, with an average score of 4 out of 10.

With the opening of a CBMA Detroit office in 2017, convening city seminars, supporting capacity-building grantees, partnering with Catchafire, cultivating funder relationships, as well as playing a key role in evolving MBK initiatives, CBMA has established a significant footprint in Detroit since 2016.

Local and national organizations, programs and initiatives working on behalf of Detroit’s Black men and boys (also six BMA Innovators):

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Education

Health

Demographic

Safety

Work

Family

Education

Can black males access and attain a quality education? Education remains a critical determinant of health, well-being, and economic success. The indicators in this category focus on access, proficiency, and critical life course milestones from the early years (3-5) to early adulthood (25+). Across the early parts of one’s life, access to high quality preschool education, proficiency in reading and math along with high school and post-secondary completion are essential components towards opportunity.

Indicator

Black Males	All Males

Percent of children enrolled in nursery school, preschool, or kindergarten (ages 3 to 5) (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011)*

Black Males	All Males
62.4%	63.4%

Percent of boys at or above proficiency levels at grade 4 math (2013)**

Black Males	All Males
3.0%	4.0%

Percent of boys at or above proficiency levels at grade 4 reading (2013)**

Black Males	All Males

5.0%	5.0%

Number and percent with less than a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent (age 18+) (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011)*

Black Males	All Males
47,597	62,785
24.2%	25.7%

Number and percent of males with an Associate’s degree or higher (age 25+) (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011)*

Black Males	All Males
23,040	31,266
14.0%	15.2%

Health

How is the health of black males being supported? One of the most basic indicators of well-being is life expectancy. Black males have made impressive gains in life expectancy since the 2000 U.S. Census, but health inequities in life expectancy and other areas persist. While the story behind poor health outcomes for black men is not fully explained by access to care, it is a critical factor. Strategies that support health for black males should contribute and be connected to other efforts to strengthen and support economic well-being and educational success.

Indicator

Black Males	All Males

Median household income of male-headed households (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011)*

Black Males	All Males
$33,948	$33,711

Number and percent of disconnected males (not employed and not enrolled in school), (ages 16 to 24) (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011)*

Black Males	All Males
14,194	15,826
31.9%	30.3%

Demographic

Who are the black males in the region and how are they faring?

The indicators in this category describe the age structure and poverty rates of the black male population. These indicators can inform targeted strategies to improve outcomes and forecast the need for age- and socioeconomic- specific policies, programs, and practices. Knowing trends for population size by age can help cities prepare for growing or shrinking populations of young, working age, or elderly people through housing, education, or workforce strategies. Similarly, understanding how black males are faring using poverty and socioeconomic data can help encourage strengthening the safety net and the identification of strategies to boost people into the middle class.

Indicator

Black Males	All Males

Number of males and percent of total male population by age (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): Less than 10 years old

Black Males	All Males
43,213	54,343

Number of males and percent of total male population by age (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): 10 to 14 years old

Black Males	All Males
23,756	28,892

Number of males and percent of total male population by age (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): 15 to 17 years old

Black Males	All Males
17,986	20,386

Number of males and percent of total male population by age (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): 18 to 24 years old

Black Males	All Males
31,899	38,247

Number of males and percent of total male population by age (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011: 25 to 44 years old

Black Males	All Males
69,322	89,013

Number of males and percent of total male population by age (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): 45 to 64 years old

Black Males	All Males
69,473	84,721

Number of males and percent of total male population by age (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): Age 65+

Black Males	All Males
25,974	32,334

Safety

Do black males live in safe and secure communities? Safe and secure communities support the physical, mental, and social well-being of their residents. In communities throughout the world, homicide rates are a strong and reliable predictor of violence and insecurity. In the US, the communities marked by these trends are mostly low-income and of color. For these places, high rates of homicides contribute to weak social bonds, fear, stress, and a lack of economic development. The most effective strategies for stopping homicides—and ensuring communities are safe and secure—focus on investing in and providing opportunities to the people that live in them.

Indicator

Black Males	All Males

Homicide rate per 100,000 for all males (pooled WISQARSTM data: 2004–2010)*

Black Males	All Males
80.6	37.0

Work

Can black males access good jobs?

Economic success for black males begins with opportunities to work and earning a livable or family sustaining wage. For youth, employment is a concrete step toward adulthood, independence, and social development. Moreover, there is an enormous cost to society when youth are disconnected. Securing employment opportunities for black males, especially those that are disconnected, will allow them to sustain their families and be productive, long-term, contributors to the economy.

Indicator

Black Males	All Males

Number and percent of out of school males in the labor force who are employed (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): 16–24

Black Males	All Males
6,416	6,416

Number and percent of out of school males in the labor force who are employed (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011): 25–44

Black Males	All Males
30,493	42,408

Family

Do black males live in safe and secure communities?

Safe and secure communities support the physical, mental, and social well-being of their residents. In communities throughout the world, homicide rates are a strong and reliable predictor of violence and insecurity. In the US, the communities marked by these trends are mostly low-income and of color. For these places, high rates of homicides contribute to weak social bonds, fear, stress, and a lack of economic development. The most effective strategies for stopping homicides— and ensuring communities are safe and secure—focus on investing in and providing opportunities to the people that live in them.

Indicator

Black Males	All Males

Percent of male youth (under age 18) that have changed residence since a year ago (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011)

Black Males	All Males
21.2%	21.6%

Percent of men (ages 18-64) living with their own children in the household (pooled ACS data: 2007–2011)*

Black Males	All Males
21.7%	22.7%

The Latest

blog Health & Healing

08.23.2018

A Youth Perspective on Black Philanthropy

For Black Philanthropy Month, CBMA interviewed Zachary Smith, one of our 2018 Transformational Leadership Fellows, about his perspective on Black philanthropy, and his forthcoming book Love in Various Strengths, which is expected to be released in the next year. Check it out!

blog Capacity Building

05.07.2018

Meet Our Fellows: Introducing The American Express Leadership Academy at CBMA!

The Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA), in partnership with American Express, today announced the selection of 24 emerging leaders from across the country for the American Express Leadership Academy at CBMA. Each recipient was chosen based on their demonstrated track record and continued commitment to improving life outcomes for Black men and boys in their respective cities.

blog Narrative Change

10.23.2017

Meet the Black Male Educator Using Hip-Hop Literacy to Engage Students and the Community

In the second installment of the "Black Male Educators Speak" video series, we met Detroit educator Quan Neloms (who is also one of CBMA's inaugural Building Beloved Community Leadership Fellows) as he uses Hip Hop as a tool to engage and inspire his students at Detroit's Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men.

blog Education

10.12.2017

CBMA and Education Post Launch "Black Male Educators Speak"

As part of October's "Black Male Re-Imagined Month," CBMA, in partnership with Education Post, has launched Black Male Educators Speak, a new video series focusing on the stories of four Black male teachers in four different cities and exploring the innovative teaching methods they use to engage Black students.

blog Youth Development

08.10.2017

Ronda Alexander

BMA First-Person: My Experience At the First-Ever Rumble Detroit

When I signed up to attend Rumble Young Man Rumble Detroit, I had no idea of what to expect; and while I was not completely sure of the goals I

blog Youth Development

06.08.2017

Janet Dickerson

CBMA Monthly Member Spotlight: Odis Bellinger, Founder of Building Better Men

Last month, CBMA announced the official recipients of our inaugural Building Beloved Community Leadership Fellowship (BBCLF), an initiative designed to ensure individual effectiveness and impact in organizational leadership within the broader

CBMA City

Detroit, MI

City Scorecard

Total Population

690,074

Black Male Population

256,281

About Detroit

BMA Life Outcomes

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Share Your Feedback

Education

Health

Demographic

Safety

Work

Family

Education

Indicator

Black Males

All Males

Black Males

All Males

62.4%

63.4%

Black Males

All Males

3.0%

4.0%

Black Males

All Males

5.0%

5.0%

Black Males

All Males

47,597

62,785

24.2%

25.7%

Black Males

All Males

23,040

31,266

14.0%

15.2%

Health

Indicator

Black Males

All Males

Black Males

All Males

$33,948

$33,711

Black Males

All Males

14,194

15,826

31.9%

30.3%

Demographic

Indicator

Black Males

All Males

Black Males

All Males

43,213

54,343

Black Males

All Males

23,756

28,892

Black Males

All Males

17,986

20,386

Black Males

All Males

31,899

38,247

Black Males