Dear COBM Members and Friends,
The Coalition of Black Men is a long standing organization in the Portland community.  We were formed in 1988 to address the escalation of gang violence in the Portland area and to wage a full assault on the negative representation of Black men in the local media.   While we have seen many achievements and advancements of Black men in our community over the past 25 years, the shared concerns that caused us to gather and formulate a social agenda of positive community actions continue to confront us today.  In a foundational document the organization was described by the founders as a “grass roots, non-political organization to combat the growing gang problem, to instill a sense of justified pride in other Black men and the community as a whole, and to serve as a source and facilitator of unity throughout the community”.
Our purpose has not changed and the need has not diminished.  Here is what we stand for today.

Mission
We are committed to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for all African Americans in our community.
 
Vision
We seek to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create an environment where our children are motivated to achieve and to empower our people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve.
 
Values
We are committed to the intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African American community based on the following precepts:  Accountability, Respect for family, Spirituality, Justice, and Integrity.
The purpose of this letter is to appeal to all African American men in the Portland metropolitan area to join us and help us realize our Vision.  We need your talents, skills, leadership and willingness to roll up your sleeves to contribute in areas such as mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic development.  At times, the work can be a challenge.  However, at no time is it not rewarding.  For it is through the collaborative action of our members that each of us will be fulfilled.
We invite you to attend our meetings, held the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  All meetings are held at the Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland.  Our next meeting is Saturday, january 4, 2014.  please join us and find out how you can positively impact the lives of our young people and empower our people in our communities.
 
 
Sincerely,
Ralph L. Evans
President