62%
Emotional Abuse
59%
Death of a Love One
52%
Physical Abuse/Assault
52%
Serious Accident/Injury
Trauma & Mental Health Statistics of Black Boys & Men
Our Mission
Black Boy Joy Foundation, established by musician and philanthropist Jean-Claude Kalí who will serve as Chairman alongside world renowed humanitarian Ayọ Tometi, Co-Creator of Black Lives Matter Global, who will serve as Board Director. We are committed to redefining the narrative of mental health within the Black community. Our mission is to illuminate the path to joy and resilience for Black boys and men through comprehensive, barrier-free mental health services & innovative master classes offered globally.
Black Boy Joy Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Fund
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases in America, and Black communities bear the heaviest burden — facing the highest incidence, later diagnoses, and mortality rates up to 20–30% higher than any other group. Often called a silent killer, its symptoms are subtle, its progression is swift, and its impact is devastating. The Black Boy Joy Foundation is launching an urgent awareness and education initiative to confront this crisis head-on, empowering our community with culturally informed information, early-warning guidance, and vital support for families navigating a diagnosis. We are striving to raise $5 million in the next 45 days to expand outreach, wellness programming, and caregiver resources. With your support, we can bring visibility to a disease that too often goes unnoticed, protect Black families, and save lives through earlier detection and stronger community advocacy.
Virtual Reality Therapy
Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly being explored as a therapeutic tool for trauma, with research and clinical applications expanding in recent years. It offers a novel approach to treatment by immersing patients in controlled, customizable virtual environments that can simulate situations related to their trauma. The immersive nature of VR provides a unique way to address psychological conditions, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and phobias, in a safe, structured, and repeatable manner. Here’s an overview of how VR is used as a therapy type for trauma
Hey Little Black Boy Fund
Our Hey Little Black Boy Fund is a transformative global initiative inspired by the dance anthem, 'Hey Little Black Boy'. This dynamic fund aims to harness the cultural, emotional, and artistic impact of the song to ignite change and healing for Black boys and men across the world. The fund will provide a multi-layered, immersive experience designed to expand this anthem into a global cultural movement. With your support, we will shape the future for generations, offering Black boys and men the opportunity to rise above adversity, unlock their potential, and live lives filled with joy and purpose.
Join Our Book Club
Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity
Slaves to Fashion is a pioneering cultural history of the black dandy, from his emergence in Enlightenment England to his contemporary incarnations in the cosmopolitan art worlds of London and New York. It is populated by sartorial impresarios such as Julius Soubise, a freed slave who sometimes wore diamond-buckled, red-heeled shoes as he circulated through the social scene of eighteenth-century London, and Yinka Shonibare, a prominent Afro-British artist who not only styles himself as a fop but also creates ironic commentaries on black dandyism in his work.
The Chairman's pick
Lenny Kravitz with David Ritz: Let Love Rule
Let Love Rule covers a vast canvas stretching from Manhattan's Upper East Side, Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant, Los Angeles's Baldwin Hills, Beverly Hills, and finally to France, England and Germany. It's the story of a wildly creative kid who, despite tough struggles at school and extreme tension at home, finds salvation in music. We see him grow as a musician and ultimately a master songwriter, producer, and performer. We also see Lenny's spiritual growth-and the powerful way in which spirit informs his music. The cast of characters surrounding Lenny is extraordinary: his father, Sy, a high-powered news executive; his mother, Roxie Roker, a television star; and Lisa Bonet, the young actress who becomes his muse.
Black Boy Joy Book Club
UPCOMING EVENTS.
December 2026Natural History Museum - Los AngelesJoin us at the Natural History Museum for A Night of Joy, the Black Boy Joy Foundation's annual gala celebrating cultural icons and emerging talent. This elegant evening will honor trailblazers across various industries who inspire and uplift the next generation of Black boys and men. With live perf
PAST EVENTS 2024
Inaugural Holiday Drive - Dec
10,000 Care Packages Donated
As Global Chairman of the Black Boy Joy Foundation, I am delighted to announce that during our inaugural Holiday Drive, we have distributed over 10,000 care and meal packages to those in need. This remarkable achievement was made possible through the unwavering support of our board members, partners, and generous donors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to this initiative. This is just the beginning of our mission to spread joy and support across the globe. We firmly believe that the joy of a Black boy transcends race, embodying a universal spirit of resilience and hope. Happy Holidays 2024!
Jean-Claude Kalí
Chairman, Black Boy Joy Foundation Inc.
