Elevating the Voices of Black Boys to Shape New Orleans’ Future
The Greater New Orleans Funders Network (GNOFN) is proud to award a $20,000 grant from our Black Men & Boys Action Table to the New Orleans Children & Youth Planning Board (CYPB) to support their ongoing work engaging Black boys in the refinement of the Youth Master Plan. This bold, youth-led roadmap aims to transform outcomes for young people in New Orleans.
At the heart of this work is a belief that real systems change happens when those most impacted are at the table. CYPB has long committed to that approach, and this year, they’re doubling down by putting Black boys at the center of a new phase of strategic growth and reflection for the Youth Master Plan.
“As we deepen our equity lens to better serve all young people in New Orleans, we are aligning our strategies and programming to reflect this commitment,” said Morgan Shannon, Executive Director of CYPB. “This year, we are specifically focusing on Boys and Men of Color, engaging in internal work and intentional efforts to support this group. Over time, we will expand this approach to other affinity groups, ensuring that each is engaged with the depth and intentionality necessary to create meaningful and lasting impact.”
The Youth Master Plan is designed by and for youth. Through the Youth Advisory Board, strategic retreats, podcast storytelling, and upcoming events like the September Mayoral Candidate Town Hall, CYPB is engaging Black boys not only to evaluate progress, but also to imagine and advocate for what comes next.
This work couldn’t be more timely. As the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, Phase 3 of the plan is focused on a Five-Year Reflection & Strategic Growth, using Katrina@20 as a moment to assess how far we've come and where we still need to go. Black boys are shaping this reflection, and in doing so, shaping the future of the city.
The Youth Master Plan outlines 30 actionable solutions across six areas: Health & Wellbeing, Youth Voice, Learning, Economic Stability, Safety & Justice, and Space & Place.
In 2025, the plan’s priorities include:
Youth Leadership & Participation: Expanding opportunities for youth to take active roles in civic engagement, governance, and decision-making
Advocacy: Advancing policies to support stable employment for young people, particularly Boys and Men of Color.
Youth Candidate Forum: Engaging youth in local elections through direct interaction with candidates and real-time discussions on pressing community issues.
For GNOFN, this grant reflects a shared commitment to intergenerational spaces where Black boys can connect, lead, and thrive. GNOFN's Black Men and Boys Action Table works to advance the wellbeing, leadership, and opportunity of Black men and boys in the Greater New Orleans region by aligning philanthropic resources, uplifting community-led solutions, and advocating for systemic change. By investing in CYPB, we are investing in systems change that begins with youth leadership and echoes across our communities.