Our Strategy
Strengthening the Village around Black youth.
BOON equips the adults who shape Black youth with research, practical tools, and stronger connections so the Village can work together.
The Challenge
The Village is present.
Three gaps make the work harder.
Black youth are surrounded by parents, educators, coaches, mentors, faith leaders, and community adults who care deeply about their lives. The challenge is not a lack of people. It is the gaps that make it harder for the Village to work with shared knowledge, resources, and connection.
The Triple Threat
Three gaps shaping Black youth discipleship.
01 — Sustainability Gap
of Next Gen ministry roles in Black churches are volunteer, not paid.
The people carrying the work need sustainable investment.
02 — Resource Gap
say existing discipleship tools lack the cultural nuance and lived experience of Black youth.
The Village needs resources built with Black youth in mind.
03 — Centralization Gap
Youth could walk away from the church by 2050.
Discipleship has to extend beyond one institution and into the wider Village.
*Research from BOON's 6-City Listening Tour and National Market Research Survey Assessing the State of Next Gen Ministries in Black Churches and Faith Based Organizations.
BOON's strategy is built to respond to all three.
Our Response
The research points toward the Village.
Research helps us understand both what Black youth are navigating and what strengthens the people around them. The findings reinforce three ideas at the center of BOON's strategy.
Research Reinforces
Cultural grounding matters.
Research highlights the importance of racial-ethnic identity and connection to culture in supporting Black youth in the context of structural racism.
BOON Responds
BOON turns research into practical frameworks, resources, and knowledge for parents, educators, coaches, mentors, faith leaders, and other caring adults.
Listen deeply. Study carefully. Build from what we learn.
Research Reinforces
Caring adults need tools.
Research highlights the role of community organizations and family-support programs in helping caregivers navigate conversations about racism and racial identity.
BOON Responds
BOON turns research into practical frameworks, resources, and knowledge for parents, educators, coaches, mentors, faith leaders, and other caring adults.
Put insight into practice.
Research Reinforces
Relationships matter.
Research with Black youth found that teenagers value meaningful connections between mentors and their families or caregivers.
BOON Responds
BOON strengthens relationships among the adults shaping young lives so they can work with greater shared understanding and alignment.
Different roles. Shared responsibility.
Build the knowledge. Equip the adults. Connect the Village.
Why BOON Is Different
We strengthen the people and organizations already raising Black youth.
01
African American-centered by design
Scholarship grounded in Black lived experience, biblical truth, cultural wisdom, and developmental science.
02
The whole Village
Parents, educators, pastors, coaches, mentors, families, and community all shape young lives.
03
Strengthens existing work
BOON equips churches, families, schools, ministries, and organizations rather than competing with them.
What this makes possible.
For the Village
Knowledge, tools, and stronger relationships.
For the Village
Research and resources that strengthen existing work.
For Funders
Investment that builds long-term community capacity.
Home
School
Sports & Activities
Friends
Everyday Life
Community
The Village in Real Life
Influence happens wherever life happens.
Everyday Life
Family
Learning
Coach
Care
Identity
The Outcome
Identity Formation.
Character Development.
Capacity Building.
From Strategy to Practice
The Teen Discipleship Framework turns what we're learning into shared language and practical guidance.
BOON's strategy invests in knowledge, caring adults, and relationships. The Framework brings those investments together into a shared approach the Village can use to better understand and influence Black teenagers.
From Strategy to Practice
Research & Scholarship
Equipping Adults
Relationships
A shared approach for understanding and discipling Black teenagers.
What it helps create
Practical Guidance
Tools for action
Shared Language
Common understanding
Stronger Village
More aligned support
The Voices at the Table
The Framework is shaped by more than one perspective.
Teenagers
Adults
Supporters
The Framework
Research & Data
A Framework built through listening, research, lived experience, and real-world validation.
We are currently in Phase 4: Village Validation.
Bring this strategy into your organization or community.
BOON partners with churches, ministries, schools, researchers, nonprofits, funders, and community organizations that want to strengthen how they support Black youth.
Start a Partnership Conversation
Research. Resources. Relationships. Shared responsibility.