11408 Inc. was founded by Marlon Ray, a young man who was raised by his older brother following the death of his mother and absence of his father. Through motivation and mentoring, Marlon overcame many of the challenges that our young Black men face every day. “Positive male role models, such as my big brothers, were paramount back then and still today,” says Marlon, who believes young men need positive male role models more than ever. More than 1 in 3 African-American boys born in 2001 are at risk of imprisonment during their lifetime. As a former parole officer, community college adjunct lecturer, and current school administrator, Marlon is well aware of the crisis young Black males face today.
11408 Inc. was named after the day President Barack Obama became our nation’s first Black president (11-4-08). 11408 Inc. is a non-profit organization that helps young boys develop intellectually, emotionally, and socially for grade-level readiness through a series of life-centered approaches using movement and play. For older children, dropouts, and young men, the organization provides youth development programs and events that coach, teach, and advise in addition to programs that allow them to participate in wellness, economic, and environmental service projects.
11408 Inc. uses a 5 step strategy for success in young men. Each college mentor/tutor is matched to three elementary students for four years. The mentors help expand early childhood students’ skills, knowledge and love for learning using their body and mind through tactile-kinesthetic learning. The children then develop positive social-emotional learning and achieve advanced and or proficient in math and reading. The organization also implements an individualized recovery plan that supports students who are below grade level.
Marlon is confident that 11408 will have a huge impact upon developing youth from early childhood through post-adolescent years because the organization addresses their needs by providing support and opportunities to produce positive outcomes in their lives.
To learn more about 11408 Inc., you can visit http://www.11408.org and follow them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/11408IncDC
TO WHOM THIS MY CONCERN MY FAVORITE CHARITY IS THE DO FOUNDATION.I HAVE NEVER SEEN A ORGANIZATION LIKE THIS ALWAYS IN. THE COMMUNITIES DOING AND DOING AND FIGHTING TO KEEP THE HOMELESS OFF OF THE STREET”S FEEDING AND CLOTHING AND AS ALWAY. HELPING THE KIDS AND A LOT OF THIS IS OUT OUT OF THE POCKET HELP. NOT TO MANY DONATION AND THEY REALLY NEED ALL THE HELP THAT THEY CAN GET THERE SELF IT REALLY NOT MORE I CAN SAY BUT THANK YOU. YOUR HUMBLE FRIEND..