Men Empowering Network (M.E.N)
The Men Empowering Network (M.E.N) (formerly known as Boys to Men Program) is a mentorship initiative designed to support men of color in navigating the college experience. Our program strives to promote academic success, student activism, and personal responsibility. We offer insights into various support services and resources available through the college and community. Through monthly workshops and seminars, enrolled students can engage in discussions on crucial topics such as financial literacy, academic scholarship, mental health care, and career development.
Program Benefits
Apart from mentorship, the program provides the following benefits:
- Monthly meetings with peers and mentors.
- A safe and welcoming environment for members to express their interests, values, and beliefs.
- Networking opportunities with members of the Montgomery College community.
- Access to information on college and community resources.
- The chance to engage in insightful and meaningful conversations on diverse topics that will broaden your experiences and knowledge.
The Matters of the Mind and Money Colloquium
In the 2022-23 academic year, program organized the Matters of the Mind and Money Colloquium, a seven-week initiative aimed at educating students on identifying diverse college funding sources, legitimate scholarship resources, financial literacy basics, and successful transfer planning steps. The colloquium was a collaborative effort between several offices and services at Montgomery College, including Counseling & Advising, the First-Year Experience Program of Takoma Park and Silver Spring, Scholarship Office, the Office of Financial Aid on Germantown, Learning Support Services, Educational Opportunity Center, and Student Employment Service of Takoma Park and Silver Spring. Each department shared their expertise in their designated areas.
Thanks to our partnerships, the program awarded twenty-four students a $500 scholarship each, supporting their educational endeavors and college education. We are privileged to have provided this opportunity to our students and are proud of their accomplishments.
Testimonials
It’s been almost a decade since I joined the Boys to Men club at Montgomery College. I joined as an undocumented Black freshmen from a low-income single mother household who served as a father figure to my siblings but lacked one myself—until I was introduced to Boys to Men.
I was able to receive the intellectual, emotional and logistical support I needed from Gus and the Boys to Men community in the tremendous task of navigating higher education as an undocumented, first generation, and low-income young Black man. I was able to attend Montgomery College then graduated with my Bachelors in Business from University of Maryland, College Park. Through Boys to Men, I was able to attend conferences, meet influential figures, and expand my horizons to what is possible.
I am now in the finance industry as a Relationship Manager at Fannie Mae, a $3.5 trillion company in assets and a secondary mortgage leader. I also serve as Co-founder and Finance Director of UndocuBlack Network, a national organization for Black undocumented immigrants. I also plan on pursuing an MBA in the near future.
Throughout my time in school as well as the professional world, Gus has remained someone I know that I can trust and go to for advice. As someone navigating America as a first-generation immigrant, I am appreciative of the male role models I and my younger brother have been able to tap into at Boys to Men.
Yannick Diouf
University of Maryland College Park '16
Robert H. Smith School of Business
Business Management
I'd like to say that the Boys to Men program has been very helpful in introducing me to the plentiful resources at MC. It's a reliable support system for any type of situation. The management is great and are always looking out for your best interest.
I would like to thank you Mr. Ayers personally, because without his help, I wouldn't have known as much about MC on my own. He has been a great help.
Ange Patrick Amessan, MC Student, BTM Member