The Indiana Black Expo Chapter of Indianapolis is sponsoring two community events on Tuesday, July 5 from 5:45-8:00 p.m. at the Julia Carson Government Building to improve men’s health awareness in the city.
The “Just for Men” workshop will offer resources in improving workplace professional skills. The second event, “From G’s to Gents,” is geared towards preparing teenage boys to understand the importance of etiquette and professionalism.
Tammy Cooper, program manager for the IBE Chapter of Indianapolis, said the purpose of the initiative is to “build a pathway out of poverty” and provide valuable resources. Men, statistically, are more likely to neglect their health and well-being.
“It’s difficult to get men to come to things and open up,” Cooper said. “We wanted to say ‘this is just for men, this is just for you,’ so we can have a time specifically for this support.”
Aggregated studies show lower high school graduation rates in African-American communities compared to white and Asian communities, which costs thousands of dollars in lost productivity and average earnings potential.
These students are also two times more likely to be suspended in school and some of this leads to decreased rates of literacy, according to a fact sheet published by PBS.
Cooper said addressing these issues is key for citizens.
“It is of course our hope that after this men will be connected and possibly build a brotherhood,” she said. “It’s for the African-American male to have a voice and platform to address what’s going on in the community.”
For more information on IBE Indianapolis events, visit their website: http://www.indianapolisibe.com/#!cews/c9xc.
