Why Forums for African-American Only, A Historical Perspective
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For over a decade African-Americans have assembled themselves in informal meetings
at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conferences. These meetings
were often held in individual’s rooms, in corners of lobbies, and in secluded
locations either at or near the conference site. During these earlier periods,
many African-American staff members felt that their employment would be in jeopardy
if they were observed attending these meetings.
During these earlier years, informal meetings served as an opportunity for African-American professionals to express their sentiments regarding various issues that
they felt were unique to them at their club or the Boys & Girls Club Movement
in general. These meetings often provided an opportunity for individuals to “vent”
their frustration, compare their “wounds” and on some occasions to
be consoled by their peers. This forum was the only opportunity that African-Americans
as a group could share their unique challenges.
Over the years, many African-Americans felt the need to have these meetings evolve
from a venting of frustrations to a self help approach. The need for African-American
to have the opportunity to share and discuss issues that are relevant to African-American in an environment that allows a free flow of information among colleagues,
without retailiation continued, but a number of critical needs begun to surface.
African-Americans that possess the experience, knowledge and skills of the unique
challenges that African-American face professionally needed to share with new
professionals. Opportunities for new professionals to access seasoned African-Americans in a free exchange became an outcome of these meetings. Communications
on issues such as African-Americans preparing themselves for retention and advancement
was done in a culturally sensitive manner and when necessary frank and direct.
This forum of African-Americans only provided an environment that critical issues
could be address in a free flowing yet constructive environment.
While the Society of African-American Professionals provide assistance to any
professional in the Boys & Girls Club Movement on the recruitment, retention,
and upward mobility of African-Americans; some of its forums are designed specifically
for African-Americans to be able to continue the tradition of open, direct, and
frank conversations among African-Americans on unique and often critical issues
that often face in their professional careers.
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