ENLIGHTENED MALE PROGRAM
In 1996 Rev. Crutchfield started the EM program at Mother Liberty C.M.E. Church in Jackson, Tennessee where he had been appointed the previous year. With the help of Mr. John Ross, a member of the church, EM moved forward during Rev. Crutchfield’s tenure that ended in 2002.
In 1999 Theta Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., joined with men of Mother Liberty C.M.E. Church in the Enlighten Male (EM) program. The concept of EM had been developed by Brother Carmicheal Crutchfield, then the pastor of Mother Liberty and readily embraced by Theta Iota.
This program is designed to supplement efforts of the schools, family, and church to enhance skills of African-American males, to build their self-confidence, and to prepare them for manhood. In accordance with these goals, at the end of twelve months a rites of passage ceremony is conducted.
The EM program targets African-American males, ages 10-17, with the intent to influence these adolescents at a very crucial stage of their lives. It is during adolescence that the external pressures of life, such as the need to be accepted, can lead to confusion. At the beginning of adolescence most often the need for peer approval is exhibited. In addition, adolescents are dealing with competition and coping with involvement in the larger society. They are dealing with who they are. When one couples this psycho-social confusion with being a black child in the United States who has a significant statistical probability of living in poverty, developing a positive identity is a difficult and challenging achievement.
The rationale of the EM program goes beyond drug prevention and crime prevention. Of course these preventions should be a result, but we want them to be a by product of a larger concern. This program has been developed to inspire and develop leaders for the future. A program goal is to help adolescent African American males develop positive self-images which will propel them to be the very best they can be. It is from that spirit that leaders are made.
If you are interested in becoming a participant in the EM program or want to refer a young man, please contact any member of Theta Iota Chapter.