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We recognized the critical need for spaces that foster connection, provide access to transformative resources, and celebrate the potential within our community.
Our Black Male Summits started as a way to build community for Black Males post-Covid. We hosted our first in-person conference in 2023. Since then, we have hosted three conferences totalling over a 1000+ attendees, 70+ vendors, and 40+ community partners/sponsors.
To build a brotherhood of support, leadership, and transformation for Black Males of all ages through intentional connection, courageous dialogue, and community-driven action.
The Black Male Summit is not just a conference—it is a movement. At our core, we exist to confront the layered realities facing Black men while celebrating the brilliance, strength, and creativity within us. Through year-round programming, strategic partnerships, and bold gatherings, we create safe and affirming spaces for Black men to heal, grow, lead, and thrive.Whether it’s a conversation in a barbershop or a packed ballroom of changemakers, our mission is to cultivate a new future where Black men are empowered as leaders, learners, and liberators—of themselves and their communities.
We envision a world where Black Males are not only surviving, but fully thriving—anchored in purpose, surrounded by community, and equipped with the tools to lead generational change.
Our vision extends beyond a one-day summit. We are building an ecosystem—a year-round, intergenerational platform for transformation. Through monthly community meetups, mentorship pipelines with organizations like The Man Project, Civic Engagement Initiatives like Bham Black Men Vote or I Heart Black Women Day, and literacy programs like He Talks, He Reads, we aim to ignite leadership and deepen connection at every level of life.In Fall 2025, we will launch our scholarship program to support high school and college students—as well as young men pursuing skilled trades. We are creating access, investing in dreams, and building bridges for the next generation of Black excellence. Moreover, we are currently working on a partnership to bring additional mentoring and skills to the next generations with a HS initiative called BE YOUth.
Darrell Forte is a strategic leader, community champion, and advocate for equity, access, and empowerment. With a career spanning higher education, tech, and social impact, Darrell has built a reputation for designing and leading initiatives that uplift historically underserved communities—especially young men of color. He is the Founder of the nationally recognized Birmingham Black Male Summit, a transformative annual gathering that brings together hundreds of Black men and their families for a weekend of learning, healing, and leadership development. Through this summit and its year-round programming—including civic engagement initiatives, monthly men’s meetups, and literacy efforts like He Talks, He Reads—Darrell helps foster brotherhood, opportunity, and generational change.
Darrell currently serves as Chapter Lead for BLK Men in Tech (Charlotte & Raleigh-Durham) and Global Membership Co-Lead, helping shape inclusive spaces for Black professionals in the tech sector. His work centers on building partnerships, advancing Black male empowerment, and creating pathways that support personal and professional growth. Looking ahead, Darrell’s goals include expanding the Black Male Summit to at least four new cities nationwide, securing renowned author and mentor Jason Wilson as a keynote speaker, and—on a more personal note—benching 315 pounds for 10 reps.
At his core, Darrell Forte is a community builder. He believes deeply in advocacy, support, and the power of presence. Whether convening national conversations or hosting grassroots gatherings, his work is rooted in a commitment to create spaces where Black men are affirmed, connected, and empowered to lead.
Our work is built on a foundation of values that reflect who we are and what we believe in:
Brotherhood Over Isolation
We believe every Black man deserves a community that sees him, supports him, and walks with him. Through our monthly meetups and intentional networking spaces, we foster genuine relationships that create belonging and accountability. We want to eradicate the “male loneliness epidemic”, encourage brothers to support one another, and not do life alone by being our “brothers keeper.”
We believe in creating spaces for men to be empowered to be their best self through mental, spiritual, personal and collective growth. We provide a number of resources to support these efforts including a Bham Black Men Book Club + Book Recommendations, Interactive Blog, Bham Black Men GroupMe, and tailor programming to build community.
Our goal is to provide community wide opportunities throughout the country starting right here in Birmingham and expanding that reach. The goal for 2025 is to bring smaller versions of the Black Male Summit to different parts of the southeast. Additionally, we provide opportunities to brothers that share life changing events and discounted rates on conferences/initiatives that can provide significance value. This ties in effortlessly to our additional goal of providing scholarships and resources starting in Fall 2025.
It doesn’t stop there, we don’t want to monopolize the Black Male self-improve and community building space. We are working with partners throughout the country and locally to bring events, resources, and collaborative support to each other. We have seen how impactful this conference and events have been and are excited to see community leaders finally being receptive to supporting our demographics. We consistently share and sponsor several Black Male initiatives throughout the city that share our vision.
Reserve Your Spot for the Upcoming Summit
Partner With Us to Empower the Next Generation
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