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Melvyn Davis advised the Government’s Reach Report on raising the aspirations and attainment of black boys and young men. He is the charismatic Director of The Male Development Service (aka BOYZTOMEN); an organisation he set-up specifically to provide educational, parenting, mentoring and other well-being support services for boys, young men, fathers and their families.
People often ask me, “Where are the role models?” I say to them, look around you at the many of us who are doing the right thing. I decided to ask Melvyn Davis the same question.
“Sometime as soon as we achieve success,” Davis says, “we move out to more rural or affluent areas and limit the impact we could have. We become symbolic role models who prove a political point, but we do not counter the predominately negative stereotypes that black people face on a daily basis.”
“We need role models who are actively engaging with the communities from which they came. We need role models who are not iconic but who mentor others. Mentoring is about having an on going relationship that creates the basis for dynamic change - education, attachment, affirmation, inspiration and the modelling of appropriate behaviour.”
“We need to do more than just airing opinions, debates and philosophical perspectives on the issues. There comes a time when you just have to do something.”
Do something…
For him that “do something spirit” was manifested in the setting-up and running TMDS with its dedicated team of core staff, supporters and volunteers. As part of their continued push to analyze, document and help provide solutions to the challenges faced by black men in Britain today, The Male Development Service will be presenting its findings and speaking at a series of events and conferences in 2008.
Alongside other leading practitioners and researchers in their respective fields, Melvyn Davis and his team will be on-hand to answer questions and voice your concerns. Need trained Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants for your school? Talk to TMDS…
Who should attend?
Parents, service users, carers and supporters, advocates, mental health trust/NHS staff, supported housing professionals, teachers, social workers, health promotion specialists, primary care trust personnel, parenting workers, and you.
Promoting emotional well-being in African and Caribbean males - successful solutions to the development of boys, young males and fathers.
boyztoMEN present its paper on working with adolescent black boys - National Service Framework, CAMHS Innovations Projects: Learning and Outcomes
Black boys, black men, black fathers: beyond the headlines
Learn from good practice to explore and develop understanding and improve work with black boys, men and fathers.
“To change the poor outcomes for disadvantaged black males in our society, we need to break the cycle of negative behaviour, expand our understanding of self, and develop ability to distinguish the woods beyond the trees.” - Melvyn Davis, Director, TMDS
If you are interested in being a part of the solution, get along to one of these events.
For more information on BOYZTOMEN; volunteering, mentoring, or finding qualified TA’s and LSA’s for your school, contact:
The Male Development Service (BOYZTOMEN)
The School House
Garnet Road
London
NW10 9JA
Melvyn Davis is available for speaking engagements and conferences.
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1 comment so far ↓
As a father, a man, and an activist, I proclaim my pride in your movement and in your wish that men of all races, colors, creeds, and religious denominations, may take example in your cause and in your beliefs. Eliminating the borders of ignorance and prejudice so that fathers may step up and be more than just payers and sperm donors is our common goal. It is a privilege to have the chance to shape a life for our future.
I am at the spear head of a movement to unite all fathers rights organisations under one banner, one call. So that we, as fathers, can protect this right to be in our children’s lives. It is great that movements such as yours are teaching fathers everywhere to take a proactive role in the lives of their children. That men should be inspired to be there and bound with their children is a primary objective. Unfortunatly, all our efforts are useless, if we cannot be viewed as equals by the Family Law System in the upbriging of our children.
Fathers are constantly oppressed and refused the right to be in the life of their children. I have had my daughter abducted by her mother. For 14 years my child vanished, her name changed, my mere existence denied and undisclosed. The police could not enforce a court order. The courts dismissed my cries. Today, again, I have to fight for my 4 years old son; my assets frozen, my license suspended so that I may be financially incapacitated of pursuing a life with my boy. My motions have been dismissed without a judge reading them, (admittedly) all this out of retaliation because I complained about my son’s mother exposing him to drug use, crime, and physical abuse. So to me, the road to Father’s Rights looks like climbing Mount Everest. It is the same for over 90% of fathers seeking to be active in the lives of their children.
Great efforts are made to get us to be the great fathers that we can be. And it is a major honor to be just that. But we also need to step up and protect this right. If we also need to educate our brothers to be great men, then let us give them the tools to protect this right.
I hope that you may support our movement and join us in our efforts. Read about our cause and our goals on our websites. We are a movement who believe in peaceful but proactive action. We look forward to your support. Unjust laws are no laws at all.
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