In 1994 the city of Fort Worth gave birth to an organization comprised of about 25 men. These men came from different walks of life and a vast array of backgrounds. After witnessing first hand the rising challenges that face our young people UMOJA was born. The men of UMOJA step forward in an effort to began mentoring to both boys and girls, realizing in spite of their various race, ethnicity or religion they all face the same problems and challenges.
UMOJA has come to understand that our youth were being plagued with gangs, drugs and violence in our community and the need for male mentors was greatly increasing. UMOJA started out working in five schools in the Fort Worth Independent School District; we have since grown to eleven with the possibility of more on the horizon. The men of UMOJA have since been instrumental in having a great impact on the lives of hundreds of youth and having played a direct part in their success. Many students’ lives have been saved through direct intervention of our program. The proof is in the testimony of those individuals who have grown up and now have families and children of their own. There are no greater words than those of someone who say’s “UMOJA literally saved my life, when I thought gang banging was what I wanted, they helped me see that it wasn’t.”
UMOJA since its conception has continued to have an impact on our youth and to play a vital part in struggle for success. We have partnered and collaborated with many organizations, churches, and local and government businesses in an effort to give our youth every chance possible to reach for higher heights. UMOJA was continue to do all that we can teach our children and help to pave the way as those great leaders who have gone before us.
UMOJA's Spotlight 