In 2017, the #MeToo Movement surfaced into public discourse after a viral tweet engaged mainstream media. Although Tyana Burke started the #MeToo Movement years prior to help victims of sexual assault, #MeToo become a revolving headline as women joined in solidarity as victims and survivors.
Noticeably absent from the public discourse were Black men. While the discourse revolved around men being perpetrators, it became apparent that many Black men were victims as well. Through exploring the way that Black men experienced and navigated harm, it became clear that there were so many layers to the experience of Black men that were not being addressed. BMEN started with the idea of exploring healthy ways to respond to sexual harm, and it expanded to encompass all the Black male experience is unique and often underserved. That is why the Black Men’s Engagement Network was founded.
(B)MEN envisions a world where black men have safe spaces to develop and support each other, while taking an active role in issues that impact the black community.
(B)MEN is an inclusive group of Black men working to mobilize all Black men regardless of class, national origin, immigration status, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender expression. Our network provides support groups, conferences, and community action for black men, allowing them space to respond to their own experiences, as well as those in their community.
(B)MEN is an inclusive group of Black men working to mobilize all Black men regardless of class, national origin, immigration status, age, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender expression. Our network provides support groups, conferences, and community action for black men, allowing them space to respond to their own experiences, as well as those in their community.