What is Black Boys Better?
Black Boys Better is a comprehensive mental health, suicide-prevention, and substance-use prevention program designed specifically for Black male youth ages 10 to 18. Facilitated intentionally by Black male mental health practitioners, the program provides culturally grounded education that equips young men with the tools to navigate emotional challenges, reduce harm related to substance use, and build healthy lifestyle habits that support long-term wellbeing.
What the BBB Program Covers & Why
The Curriculum
The Black Boys Better curriculum covers emotional literacy, emotional regulation, coping strategies, healthy decision-making, and practical skills for maintaining positive mental health. Each session creates a safe, empowering space where Black boys can learn, grow, and be supported by men who understand their lived experiences.
Why it's Important
The urgency of this work is clear. Black boys are twice as likely to die by suicide as their white peers. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, suicide rates among Black youth have increased faster than any other racial or ethnic group over the past two decades—with suicide among Black males ages 10 to 19 rising by 60%. At the same time, the opioid crisis continues to disproportionately impact Georgia’s youth and African American communities.
Black Boys Better exists to confront these realities head-on—offering prevention, education, and mentorship that saves lives and strengthens futures.
