Engaging the Community: The Wellness in Black Life Project

Introduction

This report outlines the community-engagement process conducted by the Brookings Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion Initiative (RPII) in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the Wellness in Black Life Project (WIBL). The WIBL is a community-centered initiative that seeks to define well-being for Black boys and men by engaging directly with those individuals in three specific communities: Little Rock, Arkansas; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Baltimore, Maryland. The selection of these cities was driven by the commitment of each partner organization to enhance and promote well-being through robust community connections.

Community-Centric Definition of Well-Being

At the heart of the WIBL project lies the understanding that the experiences and definitions of well-being should come from Black boys and men themselves. The RPII team worked closely with local communities to explore how Black men envision well-being, how it impacts their lives, and what unique challenges they face. This participatory approach aims to address the documented social risks faced by Black men and boys, who often navigate complex pathways toward social mobility. The active engagement of Black men and boys in shaping health narratives is crucial for creating sustainable frameworks that can be replicated in various cities across the U.S.

Selecting the Project Sites

The choice of Little Rock, Montgomery County, and Baltimore for the WIBL project was strategic, based on a mix of social challenges and available community assets. The underpinning rationale stemmed from literature reviews that highlighted opportunities for social mobility in these areas due to factors like lower poverty rates and higher life expectancy. This informed partnerships with local organizations deeply embedded in these communities, allowing for a tailored and context-sensitive engagement process.

Project Implementation Phases

The initiative spans from September 2022 to August 2025 and is structured into three overlapping phases:

Phase 1: Foundation Building

This initial phase involved conducting a comprehensive literature review, developing the research design, securing Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and selecting local partner organizations. The research aimed to highlight gaps in the well-being discourse surrounding Black boys and men, who have often been excluded from conversations focused primarily on issues like violence prevention and educational attainment.

Phase 2: Partnership Exploration

In this phase, the RPII team identified community-based organizations dedicated to supporting Black boys and men and formed an Advisory Board to set research priorities. Collaborating with local entities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas in Little Rock, the Montgomery County Collaboration Council, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs in Baltimore has been key to the process, ensuring that the project remained community-driven.

Phase 3: Community Convenings

The final phase focuses on community convenings led by partner organizations to solicit feedback on well-being from participants in structured discussions. These convenings, scheduled between October 2024 and March 2025, provided a platform for Black men to express their insights on community well-being. The data collected during these dialogues not only informed the project but provided a rich source of qualitative information for analysis.

Engaging the Community

The recruitment of participants was executed innovatively and sensitively. Partner organizations employed diverse strategies, such as social media outreach, personal invitations, and partnerships with local clubs and initiatives, ensuring a broad and representative participant pool. Each convening was designed to foster open dialogue, which was essential for gathering nuanced perspectives.

Thematic Conversations

Throughout the community conversations, several critical themes emerged related to definitions of well-being:

1. Support Systems: Participants emphasized the importance of family, friends, mentors, and community leaders in shaping well-being. Diverse support can enhance resources and validation for Black boys and men.

2. Safe Spaces: The need for safe environments to discuss well-being openly was highlighted as crucial. Many participants expressed a desire for forums that encourage vulnerability without fear of judgment.

3. Narrative Control: Black boys and men voiced a need to take charge of their narratives and counteract existing societal misconceptions. This control over personal and community narratives can address historical policymaking practices tied to racial inequality.

4. Advocacy for Policy Change: Discussions emphasized the importance of community-led advocacy efforts to promote policy changes that will benefit Black boys and men, showcasing the need for sustained engagement between community members and policymarkers.

Participant Retention Strategies

Through thoughtful engagement strategies, participants were incentivized with meals, refreshments, and practical rewards. Organizations tailored their approaches to ensure accessibility and remove barriers to participation, thus fostering a sense of community ownership over the discussions. Follow-up communications and gratitude for participants’ contributions were crucial in maintaining engagement.

Lessons Learned

Challenges in participant retention emerged, particularly concerning scheduling conflicts and aligning community needs with academic timelines. The partner organizations recognized the importance of adapting logistical arrangements to account for local circumstances. This adaptability is a cornerstone of successful community engagement, highlighting the significance of building trust through consistent communication and shared experiences.

Observations on Social Connections

The exploration of how interpersonal relationships and community resources buffer against adverse experiences for Black boys and men was particularly enlightening. Participants articulated how family, friends, and community organizations shape their understanding of well-being through support networks. These insights point to the potential for structured programs that leverage existing community resources to enhance quality of life.

Future Implications

Collaborating with trusted local organizations has proven essential for creating a supportive environment conducive to open dialogue. As the project advances, ongoing communication and relationship-building will continue to be focal points for enhancing the well-being of Black boys and men. The project’s emphasis on community ownership ensures that the work reflects the lived experiences and aspirations of participants.

Through these comprehensive community engagement efforts, the Wellness in Black Life Project seeks to not only inform future initiatives but to create a sustainable impact that resonates throughout these communities and beyond.