Welcome to the PDS
The major focus of the Brothers of Kwanza Initiative is to empower African-American males to succeed. Specifically, that is to succeed academically, educationally, professionally, financially, and socially. In order to accomplish these goals, a combined community effort/exchange between African American male adults and students is emphasized and encouraged.
History
The Brothers of Kwanza is an African-American male support group that began in November 1992, at Milwaukee High School of the Arts and Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts. The program began as a response to the ongoing deteriorating status of the Black Male student throughout society in general.
With only a few exceptions, black men trail all other population groups in important indicators of socioeconomic conditions (Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1990). FIVE SOCIAL INDICATORS are:
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Given the continued state of the art for African-American males, it is important that the youths themselves be actively and productively involved in the process of addressing these major concerns, but also in developing new solutions.
Seven Principles of Personal Development
The NGUZU SABA is the set of principles that form the basis of the BOK-Initiative. These principals are the foundation of personal and community development. Borrowed from the holiday, Kwanzaa, founded by Ron Karenga in the early 1960’s, they are used as a guide for personal and collective development.
The seven principles of personal development are:
1-UMOJA – UNITY:
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
2-KUJICHAGULIA – SELF-DETERMINATION:
The essence of success. The ability to determine one’s destiny despite life’s potential obstacles.
3-UJIMA – COLLECTIVE WORKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To build and maintain our community together, to make our sister’s and brother’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
4-UJAMAA – COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS:
To build and maintain our own business and profit from them together.
5-NIA – PURPOSE:
To make our collective vocation in the building and development of our community. To determine your purpose in life.
6-KUUMBA – CREATIVITY:
To understand how creativity is naturally inherent in each of us and how we must be creative in resolving our personal and community issues as well as promoting our personal attributes.
7-IMANI – FAITH:
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers and our leaders. The unquestioning belief in the creator.