Moms of Black Boys United (M.O.B.B. United) marked its tenth anniversary on Saturday with an event designed to expand access to higher education for young Black men and their families, spotlighting historically Black colleges and universities at the Staten Island Urban Center in Tompkinsville.
Community roots, national resonance
The gathering brought together students, parents, HBCU graduates, educators and community leaders to discuss practical pathways to college, including admissions processes, scholarships and career preparation. The organisation was founded in 2016 as a Facebook support group and has grown into a volunteer-driven advocacy network that supports families affected by high-profile incidents involving law enforcement and young Black men.
Opening the programme, founder and board chair Depelsha McGruder — a graduate of Howard University — reflected on the group’s beginnings and growth. She told attendees that M.O.B.B. United began online when other parents were sharing similar feelings and a desire to take action.
"It started accidentally online as a Facebook group," McGruder said. "Moms all around the country were feeling what I was feeling — pain, confusion, anger and a desire to make a difference."
Practical guidance and peer support
Panels and conversations at the event focused on empowerment and leadership while offering concrete information about next steps for pupils and families considering HBCUs. Attendees were able to make direct connections with graduates and representatives who offered insights into admissions, scholarships and mentorship — all crucial elements in widening participation in higher education.
Local Staten Island members who have been instrumental in supporting the organisation over the last decade were acknowledged and invited to share brief reflections on their involvement. The public recognition underlined the volunteer-led nature of the group and its reliance on community networks.
- College access: explanations of application procedures and timelines.
- Financial support: information on scholarships and funding options.
- Career pathways: discussions about how HBCU programmes link to employment and mentorship.
Speakers and institutional links
A moderated panel featured HBCU graduates who spoke about their experiences and the role those institutions played in their personal and professional development. The panel aimed to demystify university life and provide relatable role models for prospective students.
Details of the panel are summarised in the table below:
| Panelist | Alma mater |
|---|---|
| Duane Dey | Delaware State University |
| Christopher Lynn-Logue | Morehouse College |
| Isiah Williams | Virginia State University |
| Quincy Baker | Howard University |
By connecting families with graduates from a range of HBCUs, the event underscored the diversity of institutions and experiences within the HBCU sector and emphasised mentorship as a bridge to higher education.
Implications for families and schools
For parents and pupils, community-led events such as this serve two functions: they provide actionable information about navigating the higher education system and they create supportive networks that can sustain young people through the application and transition process. In areas where information about HBCUs may not be readily available, outreach by alumni and grassroots groups can be especially influential in encouraging applications and widening choice.
The tenth-anniversary event also highlighted the longevity and persistence of M.O.B.B. United’s mission: from its origins as an online forum to an organisation that now hosts informational events, the group continues to centre the experiences and needs of families while promoting educational routes that might otherwise be overlooked.
As the organisation looks beyond a decade of advocacy, the intersection of community support, targeted information and visible role models remains central to efforts to increase access to higher education for Black students.
