By: Liann Herder · Diverse: Issues in Higher Education · February 4, 2025
At a time when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts across the nation are facing backlash and dismantling, one enduring program—CUNY’s Black Male Initiative (BMI)—is celebrating its 20th anniversary with renewed momentum and purpose diverseeducation.com.
A Legacy Rooted in Impact
Although BMI was officially launched in 2005 with funding from the New York City Council to expand across the City University of New York (CUNY) system, its story began earlier. The initiative grew from a pilot at Medgar Evers College—known as the Male Empowerment and Development Center—under President Edison O. Jackson. That program served as a model for system-wide expansion diverseeducation.comamsterdamnews.com.
Today, BMI spans nearly the entire CUNY system, comprising 31 programs across campuses. Its core mission remains firm: improving enrollment, retention, GPA, and graduation rates for underrepresented students—particularly Black, African American, Caribbean, and Latino males diverseeducation.comThe City University of New York.
Stories of Brotherhood and Support
One of the initiative’s notable successes is its power to foster connection and belonging. Assistant Vice Chancellor Ian James—himself a product of BMI—recalls how the program “created this brotherhood among ourselves,” boosting both retention and graduation diverseeducation.com.
Sustained Growth and Ongoing Impact
BMI’s reach is impressive: it now runs at more than 30 CUNY campuses and serves over 8,000 students annually amsterdamnews.com. Leadership, particularly Executive Director Jonathan Quash, underscores BMI’s role in keeping students engaged through mentorship and community—especially those vulnerable to disengagement amsterdamnews.com.
The initiative continues to evolve, offering year-long support through graduate and professional school transitions, as well as alleviating financial burdens like textbook costs amsterdamnews.com.
Looking Ahead: A Conference and a Future
BMI’s 20th anniversary will be celebrated with a special conference on October 3, 2025, at Medgar Evers College. It will honor founding figure Dr. Edison O. Jackson and spotlight the program’s legacy and future vision amsterdamnews.com.
Read the full article here: CUNY’s Black Male Initiative Marks 20 Years of Success Amid National DEI Pushbacks — Diverse: Issues in Higher Education (February 4, 2025).