The 2025 Black Boys & Men National Symposium
“Boys II Men: Mentoring & Educating Black Boys When You Are NOT the Model—But the Work Still Needs to Be Done”
Deepest gratitude to Dr. B. Donta Truss and
Grand Valley State University for the opportunity to present at The Black Boys & Men National Symposium. This experience lit a fire in all of us—and we owe it to the most vulnerable and endangered members of our society, Black Boys & Men, to respond with action, accountability, and unwavering care.
Our session,
“Boys II Men: Mentoring & Educating Black Boys When You Are NOT the Model—But the Work Still Needs to Be Done,” #bbms2025
Brought together a powerful panel of three accomplished Black men and two rising youth leaders from Thredz.org’s Y3 (Educate, Empower & Engage) Youth Program for a raw and necessary conversation.
🔥 Our panelists reflected on personal journeys, cultural truths, and lived experiences—calling us all to examine how ego, assumptions, and systemic bias show up even in well-meaning spaces.
They reminded us: shared identity does not always mean support—and absence in the home or community doesn’t excuse silence in systems.
“Boys II Men: Mentoring & Educating Black Boys When You Are NOT the Model—But the Work Still Needs to Be Done,”
💬 Moderated by Marria M., President & CEO of Thredz.org, the panel spotlighted how educators, mentors, and leaders—especially those who are not Black men—must commit to intentionality, trust-building, and cultural humility to truly support Black boys.
🎙️ Shout out to our incredible executive & youth leader panelists:
✅ William Roberson CEO – Shoreline Staffing✅ Scott Mackey, MBA, Managing Director & CEO – Area Scouts✅ Victor J Holt, Assistant VP – Fifth Third Bank✅ Marcus H. & Kaeden S. – Thredz Y3 Youth Leaders & Muskegon Scholars
🌟Special support from our phenomenal Y3 team: Cyanna R. & Darcell M.
This was more than a session—it was a call to action.
Because even when you are not the model, the work still needs to be done🖤❤️💚
#BlackBoysAndMen #BlackYouthMatter #ThredzY3 #GVSU #CulturalHumility #EquityInEducation #YouthLeadership #MentorshipMatters #RepresentationMatters #ThredzOrg #BlackBoysSymposium #CallToAction #AuthenticSupport #CommunityVoices
Thredz Y3 C.O.D.E
Application Deadline: May 05, 2025
MUSKEGON YOUTH — WE HIRING!!
Wanna get PAID to do DOPE work in your OWN city??
Thredz Y3 C.O.D.E. Fellowship is lookin’ for the next storytellers, changemakers, and digital bosses!
Apply NOW!
What You Get:
✨ Up to 20 hours per week at $14/hour — for 6 weeks this summer!
✨ Ages 14–18 only
✨ Reppin’ Muskegon + Muskegon Heights
✨ Build websites, blast stories, grow your skills
✨ Talk real talk: housing, safety, schools, jobs!
DEADLINE to Apply:
⏳ May 5, 2025! ⏳
HOW TO APPLY:
✍🏽 When you fill out your Michigan Works app — write “Thredz Y3” 🚨next to your LAST NAME!
Don’t wait. Slide into summer doing something POWERFUL.
Scan the QR Code or hit the link: https://form.jotform.com/240984141431048
#️⃣ #Y3CODE #YouthPoweredChange #Work4ThePeopleWithThePeople #ThredzYouth
BLACK HISTORY 2025
REACHING NEW MUSKEGON HEIGHTS
Family, Food, Facts & Fellowship!
MLK BREAKFAST
Thredz & Black Voters Matter
“We Fight Back—Muskegon” GOTV Caravan & Voter Engagement Event & Capital Day in Lansing, MI
“We Fight Back—Muskegon” GOTV Caravan & Voter Engagement Event (2024)
&
Capital Day in Lansing, MI (2025)
Thredz.org’s is partnering with Black Voters Matter and local leaders, to bring you a high-energy, non-partisan GOTV Caravan & voter engagement events 🚗💨. Let’s rally together to make sure every voice is heard! 🗳️
King Village TownHall
2024 RAP W/ YA REP’
2nd Annual, Youth Driven “Rap w/ Ya Rep’—Community Vision Party & Panel”
This youth-driven, Non-Partisan event is all about YOU, the community, and your voice! We’re bringing together Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, along with other elected officials and candidates, to connect with you. It’s about how we can shape the future together. 💪🏽✨
🗣️ Panel Discussion hosted by Youth Leaders with 5 of our reps. We’re tackling issues that impact you and your future:
• 🏠 Affordable Housing
• 🌍 Polarization
• 🤝 Rebuilding Trust in Leadership
📚 Education from a Youth Perspective
This is YOUR chance to share ideas, ask questions, and make sure the people in power know what’s important to us. Let’s come together and make our community stronger!
Thredz "Educate, Empower & Engage" GOTV Youth Campaign
Thredz "Empower and Engage,” GOTV Youth Campaign will harness the enthusiasm and efforts of youth from the majority Black and Brown communities of Muskegon Heights and Muskegon.
This non-partisan campaign aims to enhance community awareness and participation in the electoral process within these communities through informative and engaging activities. By emphasizing informed participation, we strive to foster a more active and educated electorate.
2024 Inaugural 90’s House Party Resource PANEL, Party & Expo
Thredz inaugural 🎤 90’s Housing Resource Party, Panel & Expo!
Thredz President/CEO’ Marria McIntosh Interviews Birmingham’s Mayor R. Woodfin on his Philosophy of “Putting People First,” as part of Thredz Inaugural 90’s Housing Resource Panel, Party & Expo!
ASK THREDZ HOW YOU CAN BECOME A PART OF THE MOVEMENT FOR “INVESTMENT w/ JUSTICE,” at BeTheChange@Thredz.org TODAY!
#InvestmentwithJustice #PuttingPeopleFirst #ThoughtswithThredz Randall Woodfin City of Birmingham Government 3N1C 4 Us
Reshaping Solutions to Gentrification Panel
👆🏽Our National Expert Panel👆🏽!
Dr. Karilyn Crockett (MIT), Mr. Smith (Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative), Mrs. Katie Ullrich (Proud Ground), Dr. Shaq (Moderator—Calvin College), Ms. Marria McIntosh (Thredz.org).
Reshaping Solutions to Gentrification Panel
👆🏽Our National Expert Panel👆🏽!
TOGETHER WE ADVOCATE AS ONE!!!
Bridging the Wealth Gap: October 21, 2023
West MI Cooperative Economics & Racial Wealth Parity Fair created a vibrant, engaging, and equitable communities platform by address Gentrification and racial wealth parity through:
· Education
· Impactful Community Engagement
· Entrepreneurship
· Housing development.
By promoting Cooperative Economics, Racial Wealth Parity, and affordable housing development in underinvested urban areas, we are directly contributing to the creation of more equitable communities.
Our goal is to inspire investment, entrepreneurship hope for positive change, and camaraderie among residents, particularly those in neighborhoods of color.
The event featured:
• Michigan’s Entrepreneurial SuperPower Panelists: A panel of experts will discuss the interconnection between entrepreneurship, racial wealth parity, and housing development, with a focus on benefiting Black and Brown communities.
• Community Engagement with BIL Majority Owned Businesses: Thredz.org and Main Street Loan Fund facilitated connections with Black, Indigenous, and Latine’ Majority Owned businesses, promoting cooperative economics.
• Community Fall Fun Festivities: Beyond discussions, we will created a day of community spirit and joy, including live music, children’s activities, and health screenings to engage families within the community.
Multi-Jurisdictional/Cross-Sector Community_Youth Taskforce
Addressing Our Community's Vulnerability
CALL to Action: Multi-Jurisdictional Muskegon Community Driven Taskforce for Strategic Planning of Comprehensive Housing Production and Economic Development Plan:
As a community, it is important that we conceptualize the potentials of what unregulated Rezoning Policy married with our Resident’s Vulnerability could look like “for us,” in terms of not only Displacement; but Character and Culture of our Community, Police Harassment, Dilution Political power and further Disparity in Wealth Building Opportunities.
“Our Voices Also!”~Youth Initiative
3N1Community created this qualitative and quantitative Multi-Jurisdictional Cross Sector Visioning Taskforce to understand & create community driven initiatives that include Capital Investments, Community Preservation/Beautification, education, Housing, Economic opportunity and Youth Concerns.
Thredz Community Meetings
Rap w/ Ya Rep’ Community Vision Board Party: 2023
A Community Engaged!
Together we Advocate as One!
National Partnerships
Thredz Brings National Information to YOU!
Mr. Jerry Kellman
President Obama Mentor
Senior Advisor/Organizer (NCRC)
TEAM-Work = All our Work
Thredz—”We in this THANG Together!!!
Team: Minority Voices for Inclusion
A Livability Lab 3.0 Collab
Northeastern University study on investment w/ justice: 2022
What does Investment w/ Justice Mean for Our Community?
How do we position Ourselves to “Strengthen from Within?”
Thought w/ Thredz Giveaways
Thought w/ Thredz Giveaways
Share Your Thoughts, Feelings and Vision w/ Thredz!
INCENTIVIZE YOUR VOICE!!!
”Priced out,” Community SCREENING: 2022
Producer: Cornelius Swart on Panel
Our Community was able to ask questions relating to Gentrification and how it totally changes the Fabric of neighborhoods in as little as 5-10 years!
”Priced Out,” Community Screening
Understand the Insidious Evolution of Gentrification and how It Affects you!
Neighborhoods in Partnership
Neighborhoods in Partnership
Various Communtiy Neghbors Coming together for understanding and Next Steps!
1ST TOWN HALL: Gentrification & YOU—2021
Out w/ the Old…In w/ the New🤔??? What is the Real Opportunity Cost to YOU?
Gentrifi-What? And How does it Affect YOU?
CURIOUS & CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY
What are the pros and potential adverse affects of Unregulated Redevelopment?
Thredz in the News
WUVS 103.7 The Beat
Muskegon Channel 96.com
Muskegon Channel 96.com
Marria McIntosh of Thredz.org Unveils the 90's Housing Resource Bash, Panel & Expo
Muskegon Channel 96.com
Muskegon Channel 96.com
Muskegon Channel 96.com
Thanks to Andy O’Reily and Channel96 Muskegon. Please find complete interview and article at:
MLIVE
Muskegon Channel 96.com
Muskegon Channel.com
Article w/ MLive’s Skyla Jewell-Hammie
”2023 Cooperative Economics & Racial Wealth Parity Fair”
Muskegon Channel.com
Muskegon Channel.com
Muskegon Channel.com
Live In-Person Interview w/ Muskegon Channel’s Andy O’Riley
“1st Rap w/ Ya Rep Community Vision Board Party”
WUVS 103.7 The Beat
Muskegon Channel.com
WUVS 103.7 The Beat
Radio interview w/ WUVS Paul Allen & Big Rob
”Investment w/ Justice Community Forum.”