You get to decide who you are.
We’re just here to remind you.
For Black teens navigating PWIs — and the adults who want to do better.
MJ: Trying to stay visible without always being “on.”
Rachel: She’s doing her best and wants to support her child, even when she’s unsure what’s normal anymore.
David: He cares deeply, but doesn’t always have the right words.
These faces are starting points, not definitions. You might see someone you recognize, or you might not. What matters is how you show up.
Two Free Starter Guides. One Fit for You.
Choose the one that meets you where you are
BlackBoyBelong offers two free guides to start meaningful conversations and build belonging. Choose your path below to get the right fit.
Why We Exist
BlackBoyBelong was created for the quiet moments too many adults miss. In schools and systems where Black boys often stand out but don’t feel seen, we show up with language, tools, and reflection that help them reclaim who they are.
We believe belonging isn’t something to earn. It’s already yours. But in predominantly white institutions (PWIs), that truth can get buried under silence, code-switching, and the constant pressure to fit in. That’s where we come in.
For You, If You’re Reading This
You don’t have to do the most to deserve space. You get to move through school and life without shrinking. You get to decide who you are.
The Heart of This Space
This space was built by someone who knows the cost of being the only one — and the power of staying anyway.
It’s shaped by listening, lived experience, and the belief that joy, identity, and belonging should never be out of reach.
No fanfare. Just deep roots, open eyes, and a steady commitment to showing up.
Why I Started This
I’ve been the only one. In the classroom. On the team. At the table.
I know the pause before you speak — the weighing, the editing, the wondering if it’s worth it.
That’s why I built this space. It is not to explain yourself again, but to remind you that you already belong.
What you carry matters. You’re not alone in this room.
Who This Is For
- You’ve ever been the only one.
- You’re parenting or guiding someone who is.
- You’re tired of explaining — but still hopeful.
- You want more than survival.
- You believe Black boys deserve space to be seen, safe, and whole.
What Makes This Space Different
Because being the only one shouldn’t mean you’re alone.
Too many Black boys walk into schools where no one else looks like them and are expected to thrive without acknowledgement, protection, or even a witness.
We started BlackBoy Belong because we believe these boys—our sons, brothers, cousins, students, and friends—deserve spaces that recognize their brilliance, reflect their full humanity, and equip them to move through the world without shrinking.
We hold space for their stories.
We offer tools to help them name their experience and stay rooted in who they are.
We remind them: You belong. You’re seen. You’ll find your way.
You Belong.
You’re Seen.
You’ll Find Your Way.
curated by M. Avila
not here to tell a story—just making room for yours
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