Alliance of Concerned Men
News, Views, & Updates
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| A Model for the Nation in Conflict Resolution, Community Health, Credible Messenger, and OST/MADC Youth Programming | | |
ACM's mission is to heal and help our community
Listen to this powerful testimony from Renee Allen, whose children have attended ACM programming for many years
| | Renee Allen, ACM community participant, talks about the impact our programming has on her family, bringing needed resources to her children and improving their quality of life even in their most difficult moments. | | Community Health Initiative: Outreach, Support, and Impact | | |
Since its launch in 2023, ACM’s Community Health Initiative has reached over 10,595 individuals facing challenges such as drug abuse, homelessness, and food insecurity. Through the development of a comprehensive database, we’ve been able to identify and support underserved populations, increase trust in crisis response services, and expand access to treatment programs and support networks.
Our outreach teams—often supported by volunteers, including university partners—have distributed over 3,000 doses of Naloxone, helping prevent overdoses and save lives. More than 54 individuals have been referred to treatment and educated on harm reduction strategies. In addition to medical support, we provide food boxes, cooked meals, clothing, and educational counseling to improve quality of life for vulnerable residents.
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ACM x Nats: A Homerun Partnership
Our collaboration with the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy enriches growing minds
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We’re excited to announce a new partnership between the Alliance of Concerned Men and the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy! Through this collaboration, ACM is bringing its proven conflict resolution and decision-making curriculum to the Academy’s enrichment program—helping young people build life skills both on and off the field.
This partnership reflects our shared commitment to nurturing safer, stronger communities by investing in youth. As we teach the next generation how to make better choices and resolve conflicts peacefully, we’re also reinforcing the values of teamwork, respect, and leadership.
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Flashback: Terrance Staley @ TEDx
ACM CEO talks "audacity of hope" in 2024 address
| In this TEDx talk from last year, ACM CEO Terrance Staley spoke at Bowie State University about our grassroots strategies that use natural resources of underserved communities stricken by violence, including returning citizens, to serve as change agents and conduits for positive engagement. When properly trained and utilized, their efforts are statistically proven to transform a culture poisoned by violence into a community of peace. Redemption has the potential to be the most powerful antidote, and even fruit that falls to the ground can become the seed of renewal! | | ACM Stands Strong at the 2025 Million Man March | |
The Alliance of Concerned Men was honored to participate in the 2025 Million Man March, standing in solidarity with thousands committed to justice, self-reliance, and personal responsibility. ACM values the fathers, brothers and sons in our community an are committed to their uplift.
We extend our deep gratitude to Rev. Anthony J. Motley (pictured right) for his inspiring leadership and dedication, and his role in making ACM's participation possible.
| ACM youth participant Tony Kenner (left) with longtime ACM supporter and friend Vernon Hawkins (right) | | | Reuniting Families, Working Towards Recovery: ACM Credible Messengers | |
ACM is proud to celebrate the recent graduation of our Credible Messengers from a year-long certification program in emotional intelligence. This transformative training—delivered both virtually and in-person—was developed by Dr. Sharon Anderson of KCG Consulting in partnership with DYRS and the Credible Messenger Initiative. Held at the RISE Demonstration Center in Southeast DC, the curriculum focused on self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills.
By working through personal trauma and building emotional resilience, our Credible Messengers are better equipped to support families and communities in navigating difficult emotional environments.
| In recognition of the importance of a strong home, ACM provided each family served through the initiative with a bundle of essential household items ahead of the holiday season—reinforcing our commitment to guidance, and love throughout the year. | Veeta Clayton, ACM Credible Messenger and Family Engagement mentor, talks about working with local families to find employment, reunite with loved ones, and recover from addiction: "Those are the rewards, those are the things that really touch my heart ... to walk with them on their journey to become a better person." Mentors like Veeta help heal our communities! | | Safe Schools, Safe Streets: ACM Mentors Students in Conflict Resolution | ACM is collaborating with D.C. schools to bring our empowering conflict resolution training to Kimball and Turner Elementary Schools and Sousa Middle School. We help our young people learn how solve problems peacefully, treat one another with respect, and keep our communities safe. Thank you to all the local educators and partners who make this possible! | |
Aqeela Sherrills on the Grassroots Movement Transforming Public Safety
CBPS founder talks about the evidence-based approach to taking back our streets that shapes the work of ACM
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In a powerful TED Talk, Aqeela Sherrills—renowned for brokering the historic 1992 peace treaty between rival gangs in Los Angeles—shares his journey and vision for community-led public safety. His organization, the Community-Based Public Safety Collective (CBPS), employs the same proven, people-centered strategies that ACM has championed for decades here in Washington, D.C.
Through Scaling Safety, a bold initiative supported by The Audacious Project, Sherrills highlights how trusted local leaders are being empowered to transform neighborhoods from within—reducing violence, building trust, and creating lasting change. CBPS and ACM have long shared best practices, and this talk underscores the power of our collective approach to reimagining public safety. Watch the full talk here.
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We want to hear from you!
www.acmdc.org
info@acmdc.org
202-575-7544
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