NYC Young Men's Initiative

NYC Young Men's Initiative YMI works to address disparities young men of color in NYC face across the domains of education, health, employment, and the justice system.

Launched in August 2011, the NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) is a cross-agency enterprise that is culmination of 18 months of work, begun when New York City committed to finding new ways to tackle the crisis affecting its young Black and Latino men. The City pledged to invest a combination of public and private funds to support new programs and policies designed to address disparities between young Black and Latino men and their peers across numerous outcomes related to education, health, employment and the criminal justice system. These programs and policies will break down barriers to success and help young black and Latino men achieve their professional, educational and personal goals. The Young Men’s Initiative is funded through a combination of city funding and generous contributions from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Campaign for Black Male Achievement at the Open Society Foundation.

Gender equity starts with community!The NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) was proud to join our colleagues across the NYC...
08/17/2026

Gender equity starts with community!

The NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) was proud to join our colleagues across the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) at the NYC Commission on Gender Equity’s (CGE) Gender Equity Community Resource Fair at the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center in the Bronx on Wednesday, August 12.

Together, city agencies, community-based organizations, nonprofits, and elected officials’ offices connected 290+ community members with critical resources and services—from health care and housing to food assistance, education, workplace rights, and safety resources.

We’re proud to be part of an agency-wide effort to ensure New Yorkers can access the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Thank you to CGE, our MOERJ colleagues, community partners, and everyone who helped make this day possible. 💜

NYC Young Men's Initiative Executive Director Dr. Steven Chambers was honored to represent Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani an...
08/05/2026

NYC Young Men's Initiative Executive Director Dr. Steven Chambers was honored to represent Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the City of New York Government by presenting official Mayoral Proclamations to the NYPD 24th Precinct and Transit District 3 during this year's National Night Out Against Crime at Happy Warrior Playground in the Upper West Side

is an annual celebration that strengthens the partnership between law enforcement and the communities they serve, bringing neighbors together to promote safer, stronger, and more connected neighborhoods.

The evening also featured remarks from Speaker of the New York City Council Julie Menin, Council Member Shaun Abreu, and Council Member Gale A. Brewer, and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal stopped by to present 24th Precinct Community Council President Neil Berson with a well-deserved award recognizing his commitment to the community.

Thank you to the officers and leadership of the NYPD 24th Precinct and Transit District 3, our elected officials, community leaders, and residents for making National Night Out a meaningful celebration of collaboration, public safety, and community!

July is Disability Pride Month 💙At the Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), we recognize “Disability Pride Month” as a time to ...
07/13/2026

July is Disability Pride Month 💙

At the Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), we recognize “Disability Pride Month” as a time to celebrate disabled identities and reaffirm our commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Observed each July, “Disability Pride Month” commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark civil rights legislation signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA strengthened protections against discrimination and expand access and opportunity for millions of Americans with disabilities.

This month, we honor the history, achievements, leadership, and lived experiences of our disability community, while continuing to work towards a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive

The next generation of healers starts here!Applications are now OPEN for NYC Men Heal, a groundbreaking pilot program fr...
07/06/2026

The next generation of healers starts here!

Applications are now OPEN for NYC Men Heal, a groundbreaking pilot program from NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI), The NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), NYC Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH), NYC Human Resources Admin. (HRA), supported by NYC Opportunity (NYCO) and the Service Design Studio. NYC Men Heal is designed to expand pathways for men of color pursuing careers in behavioral health while strengthening access to culturally responsive mental health care across New York City.

Through high-touch supports like mentorship, professional development workshops, funding for licensure testing, career placement, and participant stipends, NYC Men Heal is investing in future behavioral health leaders who are committed to creating healthier, stronger communities.

If you’re interested in building a meaningful career that makes a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply today at bit.ly/applymenheal, by scanning the QR code, or by clicking the link in our bio. ***The application deadline is August 10, 2026***

Join us for our upcoming NYC Men Heal Information Session on Wednesday, July 30, at 1:00 PM to learn more about the program, application process, and what participants can expect. Additional details will be shared soon.

Student success begins with investing in young leaders.This past week, the NYC Young Men's Initiative Executive Director...
07/06/2026

Student success begins with investing in young leaders.

This past week, the NYC Young Men's Initiative Executive Director, Dr. Steven Chambers, delivered the keynote address at CARA and New York City Public Schools' Office of Student Pathways' "Right to College Summer Training Kickoff" at New York University, welcoming more than 130 rising juniors and seniors as they begin their journey as peer leaders.

Over the next month, these youth leaders will help their peers explore postsecondary opportunities, navigate the college application and FAFSA process, and build pathways to future success while strengthening college and career readiness in their school communities.

Thank you to CARA and NYC Public Schools for the opportunity to inspire this incredible cohort. We are proud to help power this program and look forward to seeing the lasting impact these young leaders will have on their schools and communities!

On Sunday, June 28, the NYC Young Men's Initiative proudly marched in the 2026 NYC Pride March alongside Mayor Zohran Kw...
06/29/2026

On Sunday, June 28, the NYC Young Men's Initiative proudly marched in the 2026 NYC Pride March alongside Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Julie Su; Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Samuel Levine, the Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and Director Taylor Brown, the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), the NYC Commission on Gender Equity and Executive Director Priya Nair, the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice, and our fellow City Hall colleagues.

Pride is a celebration of love, authenticity, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity for all.

At YMI, we are proud to stand with LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers and remain committed to building a city where every young person is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Happy Pride! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

06/26/2026

Thank you again for having us!

What an incredible turnout for the NYC Men Heal Program & Pilot Launch Event!Despite the excitement surrounding the Knic...
06/25/2026

What an incredible turnout for the NYC Men Heal Program & Pilot Launch Event!

Despite the excitement surrounding the Knicks parade earlier in the day, we were thrilled to welcome a packed room of students interested in behavioral health careers, therapists and social workers from across the field, prospective mentors, nonprofit leaders, community partners, and representatives from city agencies committed to advancing mental health equity in New York City on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The event featured rearks from Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) Afua Atta-Mensah, Commissioner of the newly established Mayor's Office of Community Safety (OCS) Dr. Ayesha Delany-Brumsey, Executive Director of the NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI) Dr. Steven A. Chambers, Director of Community and Workforce Initiatives at the NYC Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH) Heather Day, LMSW, Executive Director of Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers at the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) Trey Reid, and Design Director at the Service Design Studio at the Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity (NYCO) Lyndsey Marie Richardson, and more.

We also want to recognize the Peer Researchers whose insights, leadership, and lived experience helped shape the development of this pilot, as well as the many partners who have contributed to bringing NYC Men Heal to life.

NYC Men Heal represents a bold investment in expanding pathways for men of color to pursue careers in behavioral health while strengthening access to culturally responsive care across our communities. The energy, engagement, and enthusiasm in the room made it clear that this work is both needed and deeply supported.

Thank you to everyone who joined us as we take this important step toward building the next generation of healers, mentors, and leaders in New York City!

📸 Every image tells a story.Earlier this month, "Concrete Stories: Life Across the Five Boroughs" brought New Yorkers to...
06/22/2026

📸 Every image tells a story.

Earlier this month, "Concrete Stories: Life Across the Five Boroughs" brought New Yorkers together to celebrate the creativity and perspectives of participants in NeON Photography, a program within NYC Probation's NeON Works initiative supported by the NYC Young Men's Initiative.

From neighborhoods and landmarks to everyday moments, the exhibition showcased the people and places that define our city while highlighting the power of art, storytelling, and community connection.

Thank you to all who attended and helped make the event a success. 🗽✨

Juneteenth is a celebration of Black resilience, achievement, and the generations who fought to ensure that progress wou...
06/19/2026

Juneteenth is a celebration of Black resilience, achievement, and the generations who fought to ensure that progress would not be denied.

At the NYC Young Men's Initiative, we recognize that honoring this legacy means continuing the work of expanding opportunity and investing in the potential of young men and boys of color.

Through partnerships across New York City, we remain committed to advancing educational attainment, economic mobility, health and well-being, and pathways to leadership for the next generation.

As we celebrate , we reaffirm our commitment to building a city where every young person has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

Happy Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚

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