We provide our young men with actionable step-by-step plans to help them become self-sufficient starting with the resources they have RIGHT now.
We also help our young men develop new skills, increase their knowledge by becoming well-read, increase their job readiness and soft skills to gain better wages, and how to build relationships and expand their network.
As a result, our young men start to change their limiting beliefs about themselves, boost their confidence in themselves and their faith, and take action to do the necessary work to improve their quality of life and their families.
The pictures below are from one of the Propel Academy Money management and Investment educational workshops we offer to our young men for FREE.
The first picture is the class where the young men were being taught money management skills.
The second picture is the graduation ceremony of the young men.
The third picture is a testimonial of one of the young men who applied the money management and investment principles he learned from the workshop.
As a result, he was able to increase his retirement savings and net worth. This is a huge accomplishment because studies shows that most Americans do not have $10,000 saved for retirement.
This young man was able to save $3,000 in less than 4 months and sent a follow-up email asking for more investment training.
The fourth picture is CCMA hosting a new workshop with a new set of young men repeating our process again and improving the lives of our young men.
The mission of the CCMA is to advocate, formulate, mandate and coordinate resources that empower and improve the quality of life for at-risk youth and young black males, ages 18-28. CCMA provides free soft skill training and job readiness programs to help improve the standards of living for at risk youth and young men of color in the multi-county Atlanta metropolitan area.
https://www.communitycouncilma.org/ or contact email: info@communitycouncilma.com
Greetings, I have been a member of CCMA for approximately three years. My tenure with the council has been very inspiring. Since its inception ten years ago, CCMA has diligently offered productive programs to young men from pre-teen to adulthood. Whether it has been job training opportunities or teaching enlightenments of everyday life, this organization has met the needs of those who've participated. My role on the council is serving as the religious liaison. I hope to continue in this capacity as I encourage the religious community to support our programs and ministries. God Bless! Rev. Matt A. Murphy (Headland Heights UMC, East Point, GA)
Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young black males, preparing them for successful and productive futures. Our goal is to motivate young men to turn opposition into opportunity, to lift them out of their safe space and back to their feet. Instilling value, self worth, pride and high self esteem.
In addition to workshops and leadership trainings, CCMA introduces it's young men to social settings to includes the Apex Museum, Fermbank Museum and other Historical landmarks in the Atlanta area.
CCMA has an outstanding Board of Directors and mentors lead by CEO and Founder Norma Barnes. She has for many years unselfishly dedicated her life and services to training and empowering under privileged men of color by helping them to "Over Come the Odds" with symposiums, education, resources job interviews and job placement.
Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta is a self funded org. that solely depends on the generous donations, support and commitment of corporate donors and community partners.
The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta does outstanding work to improve the lives of at-risk underserved males in the Atlanta area.
My name is Austin Arnold and I am a 20 year old Black male. My father began taking me to the Overcoming the Odds workshops presented by the Community Council at public libraries when I was a young teenager. I learned a lot about personal development, goal setting, staying in school, and empowerment from these workshops. I also participated in two of the Live B4U Die Summits presented by the Community Council, and greatly benefitted from them. My life has progressed since my teenage years and I am now a junior in college. I feel that the Community Council is so important because it is helping Black males make positive choices in their lives. Without it I'm not sure what choices I would've made or wouldn't have but it was a great stepping stone in my life that really set me up for success.
It has been a rewarding and hopeful experience for me to be involved with the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta's Priority Male Institute program. I have been pleased to have participated in the sessions, the graduation ceremony, and with assisting with conducting a program in DeKalb County.
It has been uplifting to me to see the hope that the program instills in young men and the pride they develop as a result of the Priority Male Institute. I have not hesitated to refer young men to the program. This is a very worthwhile service, and I am hopeful that it continues providing these invaluable services to the community.
My experience with CCMA is varied - Marketing, PR, Instructor, Moderator - but the one consistent theme evidenced in all the experiences is everyone's tangible desire to change lives for the better. I've been involved with CCMA since 2015, after years in corporate America, and CCMA has mastered the art of getting significant things done with limited resources. PROPEL Academy is the current CCMA property that is helping young men live better lives. After the 12 week PROPEL Academy program, many young men move on to internship generated programs like Year Up. CCMA operates in a service space that is highly challenging, not viewed as inspirational, and frankly, ignored in most circles - young men of color 18-28 years of age often disenfranchised, at risk and without resources. But, year after year for over 10 years, CCMA has answered the call to serve our young men of color.
Norma Barnes have a dream that young men of color should be able to reach their full potential. No matter what setback they have encountered, she wanted to get them back on track. She believes in them. That they all can be saved. Norma has been working with young men for as long as I can remember. When she started her non profit organization, she was using her own money to get it started, and with the help of volunteers and others, she has come a long way. She deserves to be recognized for believing in, and her love and passion for these young men of color. She has really been a Blessing for them.
C.C.M.A,, us without doubt one of the most valuable organizations working within Underserved Communities in the Metro-Atlanta area. This organization has provided literally thousands of young men invaluable information on career possibilities, enhanced their knowledge of over-comming life's obstacles, as well as empowered them to reach their potential as productive members of society. Without this organization many young men would not have been able to make the transition from disconcerted individuals to proud, powerful and productive father's, family members, and solid members of society.
CCMA has uplifted the awareness and plight of young black men in need of life skills. CCMA has educated the public on the reality of young men and the consequences of not addressing these vital concerns. I have petsonally witnessed the amazing evolution of some of these young men.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF METROPOLITAN ATLANTA, is working to empower young men of color, from ages 18-28 that is (at risk youth), free training, mentoring, and other services to help them to be a better person in society. This type of empowerment is what is needed to help our young men today. I am so proud to be able to donate to a very worthy cause. This organization continue to strive for excellent. CCMA is truly a deserving non-profit organization that should be honor with the GREATNONPROFITS Top Rated Award.
Cynthia Baaith
Reginald E. Arnold
miles2go2066@yahoo.com
I have been involved with the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. since its inception in April 2008, and have served as a Recruitment Coordinator, volunteer, mentor, and Board Member. During this time, I have seen many young men change their lives for the better. Although I retired from the Board of Directors two years ago, I still help facilitate workshops, conferences and other programs sponsored by CCMA. I also remain in touch with some of the young men who have graduated from the Priority Male Institute.
Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta does an excellent job of working with young adults in trying to help them improve their circumstances. I have noticed how the CCMA provide quality service and encouragement to the youth.
The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc (CCMA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It was founded in April 2008 by Norma Joy Barnes, a community activist and retired federal servant.
The mission of the CCMA is to advocate, formulate, mandate and coordinate resources that empower and improve the quality of life for at-risk youth and young black males. The CCMA provides free self-help programs to help improve the standards of living for at risk youth and young black males in the multi-county Atlanta metropolitan area.
The CCMA sponsors free public forums on human service issues affecting young people and the community at large, including the Black Male Empowerment Expo, the “Live B4U Die Summit” for youth, and the GED and Literacy Showcase.
The CCMA’s signature program is the Priority Male Initiative, which provides “Overcoming the Odds” workshops, the Priority Male Institute (PMI), BootCamp Leadership Training, and the Man-2-Man Mentoring Program, to empower young black males 18-28 years of age to succeed.
The Priority Male Institute is a 12-week life skills and job readiness program for young black males, 18-28 years of age. Daily sessions during the 12-week period include personal assessments, classes, workshops, field trips, internships, mentoring and other activities. With available funding, three institutes have been held to date, with 46 out of over 200 applicants accepted in the PMI. Thirty-four young men have graduated.
Special needs of the Priority Male Institute include MARTA cards, lunch, books, educational supplies, employment opportunities, and other resources for PMI students.
Monetary contributions for operations and services have been provided by the founder, Board members, churches, local businesses, organizations, and individual donors.
With limited funding and in-kind assistance, the CCMA has coordinated and sponsored seventy-two (72) free programs, serving over three thousand eight hundred (3,800) persons.
The CCMA identified a serious and critical need to help improve the standard of living for young black males, between the ages of 18-28; because they are facing very special challenges. A disproportionate number of these young black males are poor, uneducated, unemployed, or underemployed. Our young black males are in crisis, and CCMA seeks to empower each of them to address their personal life experiences with a positive outlook on life.
On April 17, 2019 The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc (CCMA) sponsored a leadership conference on Morris Brown College Campus for at risk youth and young adult males ages 18-28 years. This event was very informative. The clients were provided very variety of opportunities to meet and network with community service providers and employments agencies.
Viola Allen
Program Specialist
The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (CCMA) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2008 to help at-risk young people live more productive lives. All CCMA programs are free to participants, with support from volunteers, businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals who serve as community and corporate partners.
"Helping others to live better lives” is the motto of the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (CCMA). These words are more than an ambitious motto, they represent a mandate to serve the underserved, the disadvantaged, and the disenfranchised, with particular focus on at-risk youth and young men of color.
CCMA programs include the Priority Male Institute/PROPEL Academy, a life skills and job readiness program for young men of color, 18-28 years of age; the Live B4U Die Summit, a life-saving initiative for teenagers and youth; the DNA Young Fatherhood Program a life skills program that empowers young men to become Devoted, Noble and Accountable fathers to their children, "Overcoming the Odds" workshops, "Propel Yourself to Success" seminars, and the Priority Male Empowerment Network. Over 3,800 young people have been served by the organization sine 2008.
The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta (CCMA) is an organization that is committed to transforming the lives of disadvantaged young men between the ages of 18 and 28. This transformation is accomplished by life skills training delivered in a number of platforms. The program includes mentoring and job placement assistance.
I have served as a CCMA Board member since soon after its founding. I am currently Vice President of CCMA. My greatest testament to CCMA is that my son completed the training. I truly believe that he continues to benefit from his CCMA experience some 17 years later. CCMA is a "small" program that confers great benefits.
William Ollie Ligon
CCMA impacts the lives of our Black youth in many ways. Their various programs are well presented and much needed.
CCMA does invaluable work with young African-American men in the Atlanta area to help them succeed in all areas of their lives.
The Community Council Of Metropolitan Atlanta is an nonrpofit organization that I have recently joined as a mentor / volunteer that is focus & committed to "empowering young black men between the ages of 18-28, to reach their full potential, academically, vocationally, economically, and personally through the "Overcoming the Odds" saturday workshops, the Priority Male Institute (PMI), and the Man2Man mentoring program. The founder Ms. Norma Barnes; has a deep rooted passion for Atlanta's young black men because we know they face tremendous unique obstacles and hardships, but with continous mentoring, guidance and tough love; we can see how this can ignite the the self confidence to cultivate their talents and abilities.
Harry E. Sloan, Jr., MBA.
Being successful isn't about what you make happen for yourself, its about what you make happen for others...Joel Osteen
Review from Guidestar