I’m a member of a large and growing segment of society that goes largely ignored – successful black men. Our stories should serve as models for our adolescent boys to follow in their pursuit of meaningful and productive lives. The obscurity of the successful black man has a major negative consequence: we’re tragically underutilized in the struggle to address the pressing and long-standing needs of young black boys in our country. I’ve encountered far too many young black boys who lack the confidence their talents, skills, and opportunities should inherently award them. I’ve witnessed the inner confusion and uneasiness these boys face that often keeps them performing at a level well below their capabilities.

Uneasiness also lives within those charged with educating them, particularly those who aren’t black: many adults feel apprehensive about their right and ability to demand more of black boys who under-perform, misbehave, or remain unengaged. This is due to an underlying, yet pervasive insecurity about who black men in America are supposed to be.”

Neil Phillips,
educator, Harvard graduate, professional athlete,
husband and proud father of two boys

What is Visible Men?

The need for leaders in black America has never been greater. Those of us who find success, particularly in predominantly white environments, aren’t fully recognized as examples of what black men in America are achieving. 

We need you – Join the Visible Men Movement!

Visible Men reveals the expansive breadth of black male accomplishment in America by highlighting our country’s many successful black men and celebrating them as role models for others to emulate. As an online community, Visible Men is designed to bring together professional black men from all fields of endeavor, community leaders, black boys, parents, family, educators and schools to inspire our young black boys who are in need of successful role models.

Are you a parent, school administrator, teacher, role model or a young black man who yearns for real change?

There are a number of ways to get involved with Visible Men:

• Become a Visible Man.  Are you a successful black man who is ready to give something back to your community by stepping up as a role model and leader to our black boys? Your path to success is instructive, and sharing your experiences can have a huge, lasting impact on a young man’s life.

If you are ready for your story to be a role model to black boys, lend us your shoulders to support them by becoming a Visible Man.

• School Presentations. Are you frustrated by ever-present apathy or underachievement with the black boys in your school?  Are they routinely distancing themselves from the paths to achievement and success? Do you want more for them than “long shot” aspirations of stardom or maddening cycles of failure?The Expect Success – See to Be! school presentation showcases the once-invisible stories of dynamic, successful black men from all walks of life, in all fields of endeavor, who are redefining what success looks like. Expect Success models success for our black boys through real-life black male stories of achievement, including where to find it, and how to manifest it. Realizing our potential is the greatest principle we can pass on to the next generation. 

Learn how the Expect Success – See to Be and other programs can support your school or community.

• Support your local community with the inVision Project. You likely know school aged black boys who are underachieving, lack direction or are just headed down the “wrong path.” You can help break this cycle by bringing the pioneering inVision Project to your school. The inVision Project empowers our youth by helping them discover a new perspective, purpose and vision of success. Participants can expect improved outlook, self-confidence, and attitude.

Learn more about the inVision Project.

• We need everyone to get involved!
  • Are you a community leader or concerned citizen acquainted with the plight of black boys in America?
  • Are you an educator or social worker directly involved in the day-in, day-out challenges of our black boys?
  • Is your son or family member a black boy who has so much potential and promise, and is deserving of belief and hope for a brighter future?

Join the Visible Men Success Network to connect with others for support and share your opinions, ideas and hopes for the future of our youth.

Visible Men reveals a new, more accurate image of what black men in America are becoming, and we need you to get involved! By highlighting and celebrating the full scope of black male accomplishment, we’re making huge strides toward improving the black male condition in America.