WHAT
WE DO
OUR
MISSION
At Black Men's Xchange (BMX) National, our mission is to address the complex and diverse challenges faced by Black males aged 18 and up. These challenges range from social injustice and behavioral issues to self-conceptual health concerns. We recognize that Black men come from different economic circumstances, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, classes, and cultures, and we are committed to providing meaningful solutions to these issues. Our approach involves teaching the fundamentals of critical thinking and cultural affirmation (CTCA) and emphasizing the importance of living an intentionally productive life. We believe that by equipping Black men with these skills and awareness, we can help them navigate through U.S. society and overcome obstacles such as faulty impulses, health threats, poverty, and other behaviors that can impede their personal growth and success.
At BMX National, we are dedicated to helping Black men enhance or discover their leadership capacity. We believe that every Black man has the potential to become a powerful and productive leader in their community, and we provide guidance and support to help them achieve this. By empowering Black men with the tools and knowledge to navigate through society, we aim to reduce the barriers and challenges they face and help them live a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Our mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment for Black men to thrive and reach their full potential, and we are committed to making a positive impact on their lives and the communities they belong to.
THE BAWABISI
The Bawabisi is how we affirm ourselves in our own image. It is putting Black love into practice.
The Bawabisi is a culmination of the Nigerian Nsibidi script symbol “Love,” and the West African Adinkra symbol “Change.” In 1989 the Bawabisi was designed by Dr. Cleo Manago and associates to represent Black people diverse in sexual and gender expression; included but not limited to same gender loving (SGL) individuals and those of gender variance.
The two facing semi-circles represent unity and love. The figure has been split symmetrically in half to suggest parts of a whole that mirrors each other. Dots are often used in Adinkra symbols to represent commitment and pluralism. The split and dots, with the addition of color, suggest the concept of gender. The circle encompassing the figure reinforces the idea of connectedness despite duality, suggesting the idea of two-spirited.
The Critical Thinking & Cultural Affirmation (CTCA) model is a culturally informed intervention designed to empower Black individuals by fostering critical thinking, self-affirmation, and responsible decision-making to reduce high-risk behaviors. Developed by Cleo Manago through AmASSI Health and Cultural Centers, CTCA addresses race-based self-concept dilemmas, societal pressures, and internalized oppression, promoting self-worth, community respect, and overall well-being. Rooted in Social Cognitive Theory, it integrates protective, proactive, and adaptive racial socialization strategies to help participants navigate societal challenges while affirming their cultural identity. The program emphasizes mental, sexual, and community health, using cognitive-behavioral approaches to address issues such as substance abuse, HIV, and hepatitis prevention. Through peer leadership, community engagement, and culturally competent health education, CTCA aims to increase self-efficacy, enhance cultural literacy, and reduce stigma around health services. Its success is evidenced by an 80% improvement in self-concept and risk behavior reduction among participants, making it a vital tool in promoting holistic wellness and positive behavioral change in Black communities.
Advancing Diverse Young Black Male Lives (ADYBML)
Black Men’s Xchange (BMX) presents the Advancing Diverse Young Black Male Lives (ADYBML) program, a workforce, leadership, and health development initiative serving Black males ages 18 to 35 living with or impacted by HIV. The program has reached over 140 participants and provides culturally grounded mentorship, workforce readiness, and trauma-informed wellness.
ADYBML fills a critical gap for young Black men who face both racial and sexual marginalization. Participants gain professional and life skills, HIV literacy, financial knowledge, and leadership experience while building confidence and purpose. Through peer mentoring, workshops, digital engagement, and a tiered rewards system, the program fosters empowerment, self-determination, and community connection.
By integrating healing, skill-building, and advocacy, ADYBML equips young Black men to achieve personal growth, employment success, and health resilience—strengthening both individual lives and the broader Baltimore community.
The Young Black Males Evolving (Y-BME) project
A leadership and personal development initiative of Black Men’s Xchange National (BMX) designed to ensure that young Black male voices are heard, valued, and positioned to create measurable change in their communities. The program equips participants—ages 18 to 29—with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to critically examine their experiences, engage civic and cultural issues, and lead with self-awareness and purpose.
Led by trained peer youth leaders, Y-BME fosters critical thinking, self-concept development, and cultural affirmation through dialogue circles, mentorship, and skills-based workshops. Participants explore how historical and contemporary forces—such as racism, gender demands, and social inequities—shape identity and opportunity. They learn to replace faulty reasoning with exemplary reasoning, unlearn risky behaviors, and adopt wellness practices that build mental, emotional, and social resilience.
Y-BME’s peer-led structure encourages intergenerational exchange, pairing emerging leaders with experienced mentors and community professionals who model constructive leadership and self-determination. The initiative also partners with schools, community organizations, and local government to create platforms where participants’ insights directly inform policy, health, and equity initiatives affecting diverse young Black males.
The outcome of Young Black Males Evolving is transformation: young men gain the confidence and competence to influence change, reduce harm, and build stronger networks of accountability and pride. Through this work, BMX cultivates a new generation of thinkers and change agents who embody the organization’s mission—affirming Black male humanity while advancing justice, healing, and community wellness.