“If you think that there are not thousands of black men in our communities who get up everyday, and of their own volition do what they can do to make our communities stronger, then you are not paying attention. Why do we define the opportunity in our community only in terms of a threat? Why don’t we consider these men who stand ready?”  – Trabian Shorters, vice president/communities at Knight Foundation.

Shorters spoke Wednesday at the Open Society Foundations‘ Innovation and Impact Forum for Black Male Achievement. His focus was BMe, which is working to create a network of black men and boys committed to building stronger communities.

Piloted in Detroit and Philadelphia last year, BMe captured 2,082 stories of everyday men – fathers, uncles, businessmen, coaches and mentors – all engaging others in making their communities better places to live. Later this month, BMe is returning to Philadelphia and Detroit, and will be expanding to Baltimore and Pittsburgh, to help grow a community of inspired, committed black men. Find out more by watching Shorters talk, and following @knightfdn.