How the Institute began, what it stands on, and how it works — one Saturday at a time.
In the fall of 1989, The Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts, Inc. (CBMM), under the leadership auspices of its Standing Committee on Education, initiated The Paul Robeson Institute for Positive Self-Development (PRI). PRI was founded to provide a vehicle of educational, emotional and personal support to young Black males and their families.
Predicated on the grounds that Black children and their families are at acute risk in today's society, the Institute was formed to provide a range of early intervention and self-awareness options for elementary through high school age youth and their families.
In an effort to combat today's disinterest in learning; to negate the celebration of violence and self-destruction; to eradicate the need for substance-abuse dependency; and to offset negative self-image reinforcement, CBMM assertively modeled an infrastructure that targets "Striving for Excellence" in mind, body and spirit as a paramount goal for daily living. The Institute is modeled in name and spirit after Paul Robeson — an African-American male whose life's work served as a paragon of achievement, strength, intellect, sensitivity, and self-conviction sufficient to overcome tremendous odds.
In a time when peer-group pressure has supplanted the family as the primary influence shaping a child's values, and mass media has become the pabulum for value information, there is a critical need for leadership, mentorship, and positive role-model exposure that challenges the apathy and fear governing the lives of our youth, their families and communities. PRI is designed to offer longitudinal strategic alternatives to these by-products of centuries of neglect and institutional racism.
Boston, MA · Since 1989
To counter the impact of poverty and racial discrimination, PRI provides a structure for success built on the Nguzo Saba — a communitarian African philosophy comprising the seven principles of Kwanzaa. While Kwanzaa is celebrated once a year, these principles are the cornerstone of what we instill in our young men every Saturday. Every PRI session begins and concludes with a call-and-response recitation of the Nguzo Saba.
Many Black families navigate environments shaped by poverty and racial discrimination — circumstances that often require parents to work two jobs, leaving limited time for their children and little community support for families who are struggling. PRI counters this with structure, mentorship, and a community in which we are all our brother's keepers.
From our opening Harambee, with the call-and-response recitation of the Nguzo Saba, to the closing "Circle of Love" — where the boys acknowledge the things for which they are thankful — PRI students are infused with the idea that personal responsibility builds strong communities. There is an expectation of high achievement and success, and a responsibility to give back.
On average, each student receives more than 104 hours of programming every year, including an embedded learning curriculum and STEM-disciplined support. More than 120 boys take part in the Paul Robeson Institute, primarily from the Boston Public Schools and Greater Boston.
Your gift funds programming, field trips, and meals for the young men of the Paul Robeson Institute — or give your time, wisdom, and presence as a mentor.
