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Detroit Free Press Guest Commentary: A Bright Idea in Harlem lights the way for Detroit KidsRead More
Michigan Chronicle-Achieve Schools Choice Guide - Promise NeighborhoodsRead More
Michigan Chronicle-Osborn Business Association brings area business and neighbors together to revitalize communityRead More
The Honorable Obama Bowl In The Michigan ChronicleRead More
Overrepresentation of Children of Color Conference Powerpoint PresentationsRead More

Upcoming Events

    Cody Rouge Networking for Change Community Luncheon
    Date: May 11, 2013
    Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
    Karas House
    23623 Plymouth Road
    Redford, MI 48239
    Osborn Networking for Change Community Luncheon
    Date: May 18, 2013
    Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
    American Serbian Memorial

    Annual Meeting
    Date: June 15, 2013
    Time: 8:30am
    Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

    The Obama Administration Announces 2011 Promise Neighborhoods Grant Winners

    "20 Communities Secure Funding to Plan, Implement Cradle-to-Career Education Model"

    Congratulations to the Detroit Promise Neighborhoods 2011 Planning Grant Recipient: Detroit Clark Park/Osborn Promise Neighborhoods. Black Family Development is the lead agency for Detroit's Promise Neighborhoods.

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Positive Youth Development Overview

Since 2003, Black Family Development, Inc. (BFDI) has embarked on a major campaign to implement programs that set the "Best Practices" standard in programming for youth at risk of delinquent behavior. As an organizational priority, Positive Youth Development (PYD) is designed to enhance adolescent confidence, self-esteem and ego strengths.

As part of its deliberate approach to deliver comprehensive programming, BFDI is committed to helping young people discover their gifts and talents, learn new skills and experience successes that will prepare them for adulthood. Consequently, young people are afforded positive experiences both in school and within their respective neighborhood communities.

Utilizing research compiled by the Search Institute, a leading global innovator in discovering what children and adolescents need to become caring, healthy, and responsible adults, Black Family Development, Inc. uses an asset based approach in its Positive Youth Development programming. As identified by the Search Institute, there are four important areas of positive youth development. They include:

  • Developmental Assets
  • Thriving and Sparks
  • Spiritual Development
  • An Engaged Community


  • More specifically, the common goals of asset based youth development programming include, but are not limited to:

  • Promoting positive relationships with peers
  • Emphasizing youths' strengths
  • Providing opportunities to learn healthy behaviors
  • Connecting youth with caring adults
  • Empowering youth to assume leadership roles in programs
  • Challenging youth in ways that build their competence


  • Developmental Assets, defined as "the building blocks of raising healthy children and youth" address external as well as internal factors that impact maturation into successful adulthood. These factors form the foundation of much of BFDI's youth development programming to address the identified needs of those it serves.