AMIRIPROJECT

The goal of this initiative is for young African-American males to broaden their knowledge base regarding healthy living; to begin to envision themselves in a career in the healthcare professions; to empower this targeted population with employment and life skills through mentoring, networking, and self-esteem development; to become inspired to develop both short- and long-term goals that will place them in a similar or superior situation to the healthcare professionals with whom they interact. Eric Charlton, the founder and executive director of The AmiriProject, believes in this philosophy because of the lack of healthy lifestyles and future professionals within the young African-American male population in the City of Dayton. This program focuses on increasing opportunities in middle and high schools for mentoring and guidance regarding healthy lifestyles and healthcare careers, challenging negative attitudes and unhealthy environments among the young African-American male population. The AmiriProject also teaches program participants about the importance of networking and improved self-esteem. This empowerment initiative is instrumental to those young African-American men who do not have the support system in their household (or school) which constitutes a lower standard of expectation to pursue a higher educational status.