The Brotherhood of Elders Network was envisioned by three committed American African men who careers exemplified servant leadership - Arnold Perkins, Woody Carter and Robert Wilkins.

There had been convenings over the years that brought younger leaders together for dinners on a monthly basis. Those gatherings became more formalized following a retreat that was held in 2011 of the most senior group that would later become the “Elders” cohort. At the conclusion of that seminal gathering, two younger men, Greg Hodge and Dr. Shawn Ginwright, were given an assignment to convene their peers as a basis for providing mutual support and advice. In turn, another group was then convened of an even younger cohort. 

The BOEN began meeting and developing an agenda and expanding its ranks. The agenda is focused on a commitment to shaping programs and interventions that will positively impact the lives of black boys and men. Core values that embrace this work include:

• Ownership of the crisis facing black boys and men;

• Responsiveness and a responsibility to act on what we know for black boys and men to survive and thrive;

• Transparency in all of our efforts on behalf of black boys and men;

• Respect for the opinions that others may have that may not necessarily align with our views; and

• A commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion on behalf of black boys and men.

The group is comprised of three generations of African American men: “Elders” group who are 60 years and older, retired, semi-retired, who are willing and able to share resources and advice; the Brothamanhood group aged 35-60 years old, generally established in meaningful work and family life, often part of the “sandwich generation” who is responsible for both their own children and their aging parents; and, the “Warriors” group aged 20-35 years old, launching into higher education, early career stages and just beginning to build their own families. We are now adding a fourth generation to carry on this work. 

In the Fall of 2011, the first formal meeting of the BOEN was convened at the Marconi Conference Center in Marin County California, taking place over 2 days. Long-time community and civic leaders Arnold Perkins, Robert Wilkins, and others met to discuss the idea of an intergenerational network of black men, starting with an elders group. The fundamental idea was to create a network of support for men of a range of ages. Following the retreat, the BOEN held regular meetings with the goal of organizing in accordance with age groups, starting with the “Brothamanhood Group” ages 35-55. A third cohort, the Warriors group, began meeting shortly thereafter. Monthly meeting agendas were based on planning workshops to create a network of support and projects to enhance the lives of boys and young men. For example, the BOEN worked with the Office of Neighborhood Safety for the City of Richmond, California to conduct workshops on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month on the following topics:

• Healthy relationships

• Parenting

• Personal finances

• Spirituality

• Stress relief and other topics of interest

Bay Area United Fund & Art Of Being A Black Man

In 2012, the BOEN enlisted the Bay Area Black United Fund (“BABUF”), 501(c)(3) public charity, the leading Bay Area African American non-profit corporation dedicated to improving wellness through philanthropy and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, to serve as the BOEN’s fiscal sponsor. With BABUF as its fiscal sponsor, the BOEN obtained its first grant from The California Endowment, the largest private health foundation in California dedicated to improving the health of underserved and vulnerable communities, in the amount of $200,000.00. That grant was used to pay for part-time program management services, the development of an early manhood development curriculum which was the prototype of the current curriculum “The Art of Being a Black Man,” the annual retreat, and other program-related expenses. BABUF has continued to serve as the BOEN’s fiscal sponsor.

Steering Committee

In early 2012, the BOEN formed a Steering Committee, the predecessor of the current Leadership Council which in turn, now constitutes the BOEN’s Board of Directors.

Working with Oakland Unified School District

In 2012, the BOEN began working with the Oakland (i.e. City of Oakland, California) Unified School District’s Office of African American Male Achievement, assisting in the development of an African American Manhood Development Curriculum –a training tool for teachers, mentors, and coaches.

Donor Circle

In 2012, the BOEN established a donor circle with the goal of accumulating the funds necessary to promote proactive solutions and alternatives to violence. This donor-advised fund is housed at the East Bay Community Foundation, a community foundation located in Oakland, California in operation since 1928, and holding almost 500 funds and endowments to benefit the local community.

Office of Neighborhood Safety Collaboration

From 2012-2015, the BOEN worked with the City of Richmond, California, Office of Neighborhood Safety, with respect to its violence prevention efforts to engage formerly incarcerated persons convicted of crimes involving firearms to aid in the effort to end gun violence. Members of the BOEN have served as role models, mentors, and coaches, as well as facilitating an ongoing dialogue about the skills and capacities required, as an alternative to violence.

Participant Engagement

The BOEN hosts annual retreats, monthly meetings, and other activities which enhance the social cohesion among the BOEN’s participants and members.

David E. Glover & Occur

Commencing in 2014, the BOEN began working with the David E. Glover Education and Technology Center, a program of the Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR), to bridge the technology divide between advantaged and disadvantaged communities, the Hidden Genius Project, which connects underserved, young black males with the skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become high-performing entrepreneurs and technologist, and Ile Omode School, a private school in East Oakland serving preschool, elementary, and middle school students, to increase the opportunities for black youth to learn and engage in computer sciences and other information technology education to enhance their employability. We are engaged in creating a training program for black youth who are interested in the information technology field.

Gathering of Elders & Wisdom Keepers

In 2014, the BOEN helped design, organize and attend a statewide dialogue process among Native American, Asian Pacific Islander, and African American elders entitled “Gathering of Elders & Wisdom Keepers,” for the purpose of promoting engagement of the wisdom and knowledge which resides in their respective communities to make a positive impact across California and the nation. This gathering inspired the current planning effort to create a Healing Generations Institute in partnership with The California Endowment.

New Organization Status and Projects

In 2017, BOEN formally established itself as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity, which led to greater autonomy, and led to the establishment of the Ubuntu Leadership Institute, the African American Latino Action Alliance, Healing Generations Institute, the Garvey Plan, and the Art of Being a Black Man curriculum. The City of Oakland founded the Department of Violence Prevention, while the effects of climate change were felt in California in the form of water restrictions. More innocent Black people were being killed by government authorities, and the normalization of white nationalism grew.

Community Collaborations

The Brotherhood was an early participant in the work of the Richmond Office of Neighborhood Safety, an advisor to OUSD’s Office of African American Male Achievement (now Kingmakers of Oakland) as well as the City of Oakland’s Department of Violence Prevention. Through the leadership of Ancestor Joe Brooks, the Brotherhood was a founding member of the African American Latino Action Alliance (now Solidarity Action Alliance of the Bay Area) and has partnered with the National Compadres Network to create the Healing Generations Institute.

Healing Generations Institute

Begun in 2017, The Healing Generations Institute is an African American and Chicano collaboration between the BOEN and the NCN (National Compadres Network). Its primary objective is addressing present day, historical,  and generational trauma and its physical,  emotional, mental, and spiritual ramifications. HGI conducts trainings on circle keeping, health and wellness tools, crisis response, and the scientific validity of trauma and healing.

COVID-19 Impact

In 2020, BOEN grappled with the global COVID pandemic by attracting more participants, growing its budget, and cementing its leadership in the successive years. The organization established the African American Response Circle, drafted and promoted the Garvey Plan (a plan for recovery and reinvestment for the Black community during the pandemic of 2020), established a Black Education Vision, formed a community land trust, joined several prominent partners to form the 40×40 Council, and in 2023 hired Baba Greg Hodge as its first CEO (who had previously served as the Chief Network Officer).

Bese Saka Initiative

The Brotherhood of Elders Network’s Bese Saka Initiative, launched in 2022 in partnership with the San Francisco Foundation, provides vital support to 18 Black-led organizations across the Bay Area. Named after the Akan symbol for unity and abundance, Bese Saka strengthens these organizations through two-year grants and quarterly gatherings. These convenings cultivate deeper connections, foster sustainable growth, and build a resilient network of leaders, funders, and community partners. By creating a collaborative ecosystem, the Bese Saka Initiative amplifies the impact of these organizations, ensuring that they remain strong advocates for equity and justice in their communities.

Strategic Planning

In March of 2023, under the guidance of Ian Johnson and Robert Quintana Hopkins, the Brotherhood undertook a strategic planning process to gather the best ideas from the brightest minds in its network, and amongst community and philanthropic partners. Over the next nine months, BOEN documented these ideas through a series of workshops and surveys.

BYD Book

The Brotherhood of Elders Network proudly presents the Black Youth Development (BYD) Book, an essential guide launched in August 2023. This comprehensive directory highlights over 200 Black-led educational programs in Oakland, designed to uplift and empower Black youth from early childhood to early adulthood. Offering free or low-cost participation, and even paid work experiences, these programs foster culturally affirming development and create pathways to success. In collaboration with these community-centered organizations, the Brotherhood of Elders Network is committed to nurturing a supportive ecosystem where Black youth can thrive, honoring the dedication and impact of each partner organization that shares in our mission.

40x40 Council / Rise East

BOEN is leading, with the partners below, a 10-year plan to invest over $100M in the ‘40×40’ area of Deep East Oakland (aka ‘Rise East’). Specifically, BOEN contributes to fundraising, inter-organizational organizing, power-building strategy, youth development partnerships and program development, engagement and innovation with civic leaders, political stewardship, and communications support.