March Madness captivates the nation each year with its underdog victories, buzzer-beaters, and stories of resilience. It’s a moment when the world pays attention to young men defying the odds. But outside of the tournament, another form of madness persists: the structural inequities that continue to place Boys and Young Men of Color (BYMOC) at a disadvantage in education, workforce development, and community safety. Unlike the games we celebrate, these systemic barriers don’t just last for a season; they have lifelong consequences.
At MBK Tulsa, we see this madness play out every day. Through our milestone workgroup tables, we engage schools, employers, and community partners to challenge policies that keep BYMOC from reaching their full potential. If we want these young men to have sound opportunities, we must first dismantle the inequities standing in their way.
Education: The Full-Court Press Against Opportunity
In basketball, a full-court press is designed to apply pressure and force mistakes. In education, policies like zero-tolerance discipline and a lack of culturally-responsive instruction put relentless pressure on BYMOC, increasing their likelihood of disengagement and school pushout.
Through our Milestone 1 workgroup table, we focus on early childhood education, working to increase Pre-K enrollment among BYMOC from 68% to 77% by 2029. Research shows that early access to quality early education improves literacy, graduation rates, and career readiness. Yet, many families struggle to navigate enrollment processes due to bureaucratic barriers. We are addressing this by expanding targeted outreach and working with school districts across Tulsa County to promote and demystify enrollment.
By third grade, only 18% of BYMOC in Tulsa County are proficient in reading. That’s why Milestone 2 is focused on improving literacy rates, aiming to raise that number to 35% by 2029. Through high-dosage tutoring, community-based literacy initiatives, city-wide literacy campaigns and innovative programs like “Books in Barbershops,” we are working to close the reading gap before it becomes a lifelong barrier.
Workforce: Benched Before the Game Starts
Imagine a team where certain players never get a chance to step onto the court. That’s what happens to many BYMOC when workforce policies fail to provide equal access to job training, internships, and postsecondary opportunities.
Through the Milestone 3 Workgroup, our community is tackling high school graduation rates and postsecondary readiness by increasing dual enrollment, FAFSA completion, and career exploration opportunities. Our goal is to raise BYMOC graduation rates from 80.6% to 90% and increase postsecondary credential attainment from 20% to 30% by 2029. Through targeted support such as near-peer mentoring, college bridge programs, and exposure to STEM career pathways, we are ensuring that these young men graduate with a plan for their future.
Yet, graduation is not enough. Milestone 4 focuses on postsecondary enrollment and completion, aiming to increase the percentage of BYMOC enrolling in Oklahoma colleges from 46% to 56%. From addressing financial barriers to providing summer navigators who help students transition into college, we are ensuring that higher education isn’t just an option, but a reality.
For those entering the workforce directly, our Milestone 5 workgroup partners are tackling employment inequities by increasing labor force participation among BYMOC ages 16-24 from 63% to 74% by 2028. Programs like Tulsa’s Tech Hub and Black Tech Street initiatives are creating new pathways into high-demand industries, while partnerships with organizations like Goodwill Tulsa and Madison Strategies Group are helping young men develop the skills needed for sustainable careers.
Community Safety: A Defensive Strategy That Works
Every great team has a strong defense, and when it comes to protecting our boys, we must ensure they have the support they need to thrive. Boys and young men of color often face challenges that extend beyond their control, including limited community resources, exposure to violence, and systemic barriers that make it harder to reach their full potential. Ensuring their safety isn’t just about responding to crises; it’s about proactively creating environments where they feel secure, valued, and supported.
Our Milestone 6 Table Workgroup, in collaboration with the City of Tulsa and community partners, is leading the Tulsa Community-Based Violence Intervention Program (TCVI) to provide young men with positive pathways and reduce the city’s homicide mortality rate from 11.9% to 6.2% by 2028. This initiative focuses on intervention and prevention by engaging credible messengers—respected community members, including formerly justice-involved individuals, who serve as mentors and outreach workers. Rather than relying solely on punitive measures, TCVI prioritizes guidance, conflict mediation, and direct support, ensuring that boys and young men at high risk of violence have access to housing support, employment assistance, and mental health services.
By working across public safety, education, and community organizations we can defend the potential of every young man in Tulsa, ensuring they have the opportunity to build bright futures, free from violence and filled with opportunity.
The Final Buzzer: A Call to Action
March Madness will come and go, but the madness of inequity will persist unless we actively change the game. The policies we enact, the programs we support, and the opportunities we create will determine whether BYMOC are sidelined or given the tools to thrive.
At MBK Tulsa, we are not just advocating for change – we are implementing it. From early childhood education to workforce development to community safety, we are committed to ensuring that every boy and young man of color in Tulsa has a fighting chance.
To make that a reality, policies that remove systemic barriers to education, employment, and financial security are a priority. Through policy advocacy we can create accessible education pathways that include a variety of post-secondary options to prepare young people to succeed in today’s economy. We can increase access to quality job opportunities through apprenticeship programs and promotion of youth entrepreneurship. We can end the school-to-prision pipeline by doing away with zero-tolerance disciplinary practices, providing youth with truly accessible mental and behavioral health support, and ensuring that our schools offer a safe and supportive environment for all students.
Bills currently under consideration by the Oklahoma State Legislature that could positively impact the economic mobility of BYMOC include:
- SB 841 (Pugh), 215 (Seifried), 245 (Deevers)- Supporting Student Achievement in Reading and Math Proficiency Senate bills 841 and 215 aim to improve reading and math outcomes for younger students by implementing multiple annual screening assessments coupled with targeted interventions for struggling students and teacher development. Senate Bill 245 establishes the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program to improve K-8 math and reading through intensive tutoring. Eligible tutors receive bonuses based on cohort instruction and student progress.
- SB 662 (Pugh)- Supporting Workforce Pathways This bill enhances workforce development by expanding the Oklahoma Workforce Commission’s role in addressing critical job needs through tailored education and training programs. It promotes access to quality jobs by supporting work-based learning opportunities like apprenticeships and internships, fostering career-connected K-12 education, and encouraging innovation through grants.
- HB 1965 (Williams) – Promoting Youth Justice through Diversion This bill amends a section of the Oklahoma Children’s Code to require that juveniles charged with misdemeanor-equivalent offenses receive an “informal adjustment” instead of formal charges. This adjustment includes agreements to complete counseling, community service, substance education, vocational training, behavioral health evaluations, restitution to victims, or participation in public or private rehabilitation programs.
Please reach out to your state representative and senator to let them know you support these bills. You can find your state legislators and their contact information here.
The madness of inequity doesn’t have to define our city’s future, instead we can identify these inequities, target them back and ensure we are giving every young man a fair shot.