Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative (MBMI)

About

The Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative (MBMI) is a one-year leadership & identity development undergraduate program. The program aims to foster a sense of belonging, promote engagement in the curricular and co-curricular life at the university, and encourage self-responsibility while focusing on the retention and persistence of students to articulate the benefits of higher education and expectations and values of the university.

MBMI was established during the Fall 2009 as a student organization, and restructured in 2013 as an elective credit bearing program. Students can receive up to 4 credit hours toward their degree program.

MBMI provides a foundational environment for incoming first year students that enhances growth, development, and opportunities that can lead to the retention and persistence of participants to pursue their educational goals.

2022-2023 Application and Cohort

MBMI aims to assist first-year students who identify as Black males in making a successful transition within the University of Missouri, both academically and personally.

There are three pillars that guide the operation of the MBMI program: Support, Development, and Involvement. Students explore the program’s pillars through: 

  • The SSC 1150 and EDLPA 3100 course curriculum 
  • Participation in leadership activities 
  • Exposure to campus resources 
  • Networking events with faculty/staff, and community leaders 

 To apply: click here.  

To inquire about eligiblity or the program in general, contact Velma Buckner, bucknerv@missouri.edu, of Access and Leadership Development.

Leadership Team

The MBMI Leadership Team is led by a team comprised of a professional staff member, Teaching Assistant, and a group of Peer Mentors. The staff member works in the Office of Access and Leadership Development within the Division of Inclusion Diversity, and Equity. The Teaching Assistant is typically undergraduate senior who have served in the peer mentor role. The Peer Mentors are chosen from the most recent MBMI cohort. They are selected and trained in the spring and summer semesters in preparation for the program in the fall. Peer Mentors are to serve as role models, meet with their assigned mentees biweekly, and plan and implement community service events, study halls, and social/bonding activities.

Teaching Assistant:

  • Assist Program Instructor with classroom management, instruction, and academic record keeping via Canvas
  • Assist with the development of the course syllabi via individual and group lesson planning, creating grading rubrics, contacting guest lectures, etc.
  • Co-facilitate class sessions and discussions on various topics throughout the year
  • Support students through co-constructing student’s goals for their first year at MU
  • Supervise the MBMI Peer Mentors and their planning committees and programming efforts
  • Attend biweekly meetings with MBMI Program Instructor and Leadership Team
  • Assist the Leadership Team in planning the annual Alternative Spring Break Service Trip
  • Creating and/or assisting with the MBMI End of the Year Video
  • Assist with year-round recruitment efforts for the MBMI Program

Peer Mentors:

  • Serve as a good role model/mentor to the incoming MBMI cohort
  • Meet with 3-5 MBMI freshmen participants for 30 – 60 minutes monthly to discuss academic goal setting and progress as well as, their personal/social transition to campus.
  • Coordinate and attend mandatory weekly Study Halls with designated Peer Mentors
  • Plan and implement 3 – 5 community service and social events for the MBMI program each semester.
  • Co-facilitate class sessions and discussions throughout the year with the Teaching Assistant
  • Attend biweekly meetings with MBMI Program Instructor and Leadership Team
  • Manage the MBMI social media accounts and weekly #MondayMotivation posts
  • Coordinate annual MBMI Social Media Campaign
  • Coordinate and plan the annual Alternative Spring Break Service Trip including location, service sites, and other activities.
  • Responsible for photographing all MBMI events throughout the year
  • Assist Program Instructor with classroom management, instruction, and academic record keeping via Canvas
  • Assist with the development of the course syllabi via individual and group lesson planning, creating grading rubrics, contacting guest lectures, etc.

If you have any questions about the MBMI Leadership Team, please contact Velma Buckner.

Contact

The MBMI program, each year, includes up to 30 incoming freshmen participants that engage in coursework, training, events, workshops, social activities, alternative spring breaks and much more. Your support will help to ensure Mizzou’s ability to continue these types of programs to future diligent and hardworking young men. If you would like to donate to the MBMI program, you may contribute your gift here.

Scholarship

We are pleased to announce that through the support of the Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative Roots Class, Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center and Department of Social Justice, we have created the Kedar I. Boyce Memorial Scholarship for continuing MBMI students!

This scholarship is named in honor of the late Kedar Ishmael Boyce, a participating member of the original class of Mizzou Black Men’s Initiative (MBMI), also known as The Roots, in 2009. Unfortunately, on February 24, 2017 Kedar lost his life in a motorcycle accident. To honor his legacy, The Roots developed this memorial scholarship to aid young MBMI brothers as they transition into their sophomore year who exemplify academic achievement, passion for education, good character, and brotherhood.

In 2018, we were able to raise and award $600 in scholarships. In 2019, we were able to raise and award $1,200 in scholarships. As the MBMI program continues to grow, we are looking to award the Kedar I. Boyce Memorial Scholarship to future students of the program.

If you are interested in donating to the Kedar I. Boyce Memorial Scholarship fund, donation options are included below.

  • Online Donation
  • University Donation
    • If you are donating on behalf of a University of Missouri department, you may donate via MoCode use the Scholarship MoCode F1769.

Any support would be deeply appreciated.