FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Jan.

23, 2013

CONTACT:

Chrystal Wilson Phone: 313-872-2202 ext. 201 cwilson@bergmuirhead.com

BMe Community offers $200,000 to support black men working together to better Detroit Applications open through Feb. 28, 2013
BMe is a growing network of black men working together to strengthen Detroit (Jan. 23, 2013) African-American men from all walks of life who are making a positive impact in Detroit now have the opportunity to win grant money from BMe to continue making the community stronger. From Jan. 23 to Feb. 28, 2013, black men who have uploaded a video testimonial of what they do to better their community and fill out brief applications at BMeCommunity.org have a chance at grants of up to $20,000 each. BMe will be giving away a total of $200,000 in Detroit. The idea is to acknowledge what so many brothers are already doing for their communities and to support their willingness to work together for the greater good. To forward that mission, priority for funding will be given to projects that include partnerships or multiple people working together to deepen their impact. So many brothers are doing more than their fair share to make Detroit a better place to live. By providing funding, BMe hopes to both give them the boost they need to go further with their work, and bring more people into the growing ranks of engaged black men, said Trabian Shorters, vice president of communities for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which is piloting BMe in partnership with the Open Society Foundations. Numerous eventsfrom barbershop talks to random acts of communityhave taken place in three citiesDetroit, Philadelphia and Baltimoresince BMes official launch in November 2012. Hundreds of men have shared their stories at these eventsmany of which can be found at BMecommunity.org. BMe is a powerful platform that builds on the existing assets and contributions of black men in Detroit, said Shawn Dove, manager of the Open Society Foundations Campaign for Black Male Achievement. Were thrilled to partner with the Knight Foundation in this endeavor that spotlights and supports the iconic leaders we need who are already in our communities doing

the work. This is the second year of the BMe pilot in Detroit. Last year more than 1,000 men shared video testimonials of what they do to give back in big and small waysand this year, other Detroiters are following suit. For example, Virgil Al Taylor, founder of the Peace Project in Detroit, is inspiring the citys youth with his recent launch of the Y.O.L.O. Project, which turns a popular hip-hop phrase, You Only Live Once into an initiative that guides and helps youth plan successful futures. Listen to his story here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KpPwZxmpaTY H. Ian Harris, a Detroit filmmaker, volunteers as a mentor to youth interested in film, because he wants everyone to have the opportunity to put a lens on their life. Listen to his personal reasons for giving back here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gM3162sLnLo Grant recipients will be announced this spring. Applying is easy, with just five questions on the initial application. BMe will also offer a webinar and an in-person town hall to answer questions and help people with their applications. Past BMe participants have included coaches, fathers, business owners, returning citizens, students and artists who have led collaborative projects in Detroit and Philadelphia that do everything from helping youth become more effective advocates of social justice issues to helping people set up businesses and connect internationally. For dates of the webinars and other information or to apply for a grant, go to www.BMecommunity.org.

### The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. More information is available at http://www.knightfoundation.org/. The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with local communities in more than 100 countries, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public health and education. More information is available at http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/