The goal of this effort is to increase the numbers of African American males enrolled at UNCF-member institutions by 30 percent and to successfully retain and graduate these young men. EMP hopes to provide financial awards and technical assistance to UNCF-member institutions to support innovative academic and social support programs, faculty and student undergraduate research and scholarly research.

UNCF’s African American male network-wide initiative will be an academic and emotional/social development program with systematic methods to encourage the sharing of experiences across institutions. The program will be composed of four strategically linked components that will foster the development of the whole student. 

·         Academic Achievement 

Each student will be encouraged to play an active role in their learning. Students will receive recognition for academic success and the appropriate intervention if they are having academic difficulty. Students will be encouraged to explore internships, research opportunities and other academic enhancement opportunities, including study abroad.

·         Mentoring 

Institutions in the program will receive a research-based mentorship manual. This manual will assist the grantee in the development of specific activities and programs based on the mission and goals of their respective mentorship program as well as on current data. 

·         Leadership Development 

UNCF-member institutions will be asked to create a center of excellence on leadership for African American males, collecting and disseminating research and providing leadership training for current and future student leaders. 

·         Psycho-Social Skills Development 

A strong African American male initiative must provide students an opportunity for personal and professional development. While this can be accomplished in part through workshops and seminars that address interpersonal relationships and confidence building, it also must incorporate activities that help these young men better handle frustration and anger. The aim is to ensure students develop positive racial and gender identities and acquire social competencies that will allow them to successfully navigate their academic and social lives.