The Brotherhood Of Elders Network

What The Brotherhood Of Elders Network does

The Brotherhood of Elders Network (BOEN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 and headquartered in Oakland, California, that delivers intergenerational mentorship, advocacy, and culturally-rooted programs for Black boys, men, and families across the San Francisco Bay Area. Its organizational architecture is built on a three-tier intergenerational network spanning Elders (60+), Brothamanhood (35-60), and Warriors (20-35), supplemented by a fourth emerging youth cohort served through its programs. Core programs include the Ubuntu Leadership Institute (a 16-month fellowship for ages 16-22 with study abroad to Colombia and South Africa), Land-Based Education (outdoor leadership via the Oakland Outside Youth Leadership Program and annual 'Blackpacking' Sierra Nevada trips with Golden Trout Wilderness School), Bantaba Drum Classes (free year-round cultural programming led by Artist in Residence Mosheh Milon), Real Talk About the Town (election-season civic engagement forums), the Black Youth Development Book (a 2023-launched directory of 60+ Black-led organizations offering 200+ programs), and the Babas to Brothers Podcast.

BOEN's technology stack is modest and operational rather than differentiated, comprising a website, Mailchimp email, Network for Good donation platform, YouTube video distribution, and Spotify podcast hosting; the BlackFULLness app represents its first consumer-facing software product. The organization's revenue model is grant-dependent: it receives foundation grants (The California Endowment, San Francisco Foundation via Bese Saka, NIH for BlackFULLness), individual donations through Network for Good, and operates a donor-advised fund housed at East Bay Community Foundation, with Bay Area Black United Fund serving as fiscal sponsor since 2012 prior to BOEN's independent 501(c)(3) incorporation in 2017. Programs are delivered free to participants via direct community programming, school district partnerships (Oakland Unified), and coalition-based delivery through the 40x40 Council and Rise East initiative. The $100 million secured for Rise East (2023) is a coalition-wide figure stewarded by BOEN rather than BOEN's direct operating revenue, which remains undisclosed.

Name

The Brotherhood Of Elders Network

Legal name

Brotherhood Of Elders Network

Website

https://brotherhoodofelders.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Brotherhood of Elders Network is an Oakland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing intergenerational mentorship, leadership development, civic engagement, and culturally-rooted programs for Black boys, men, and families across the San Francisco Bay Area. It operates a coalition-stewarded $100M Rise East plan for Deep East Oakland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Youth Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural, Identity & Inclusion Programs (EDALAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Civic Engagement, Volunteering & Leadership Education for Seniors (EDAAAMAK)

Keywords

• Community mentorship programs
• Youth leadership development
• Cultural education programs
• Civic engagement forums
• Intergenerational support

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Grants and Foundation Funding: Primary revenue from foundation grants including The California Endowment ($200,000 initial grant in 2012), San Francisco Foundation (Bese Saka Initiative launched 2022), and other institutional funders for specific programs.
2. Individual Donations: Accepts donations through Network for Good platform; operates donor circle housed at East Bay Community Foundation.
3. Fiscal Sponsorship Revenue: Uses Bay Area Black United Fund (BABUF) as fiscal sponsor for grants and donations since 2012.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Brotherhood Of Elders Network delivers intergenerational mentorship, leadership development, cultural education, and civic engagement programs serving Black boys, men, and families in the Bay Area. Core offerings include the Ubuntu Leadership Institute fellowship for ages 16-22, Land-Based Education outdoor leadership programming, Real Talk About the Town election forums, free Bantaba Drum Classes, and the Babas to Brothers storytelling podcast, all delivered at no cost to participants.

Product overview

The Brotherhood of Elders Network is a community organization offering an integrated portfolio of programs focused on Black male empowerment and community wellness. Core offerings include the Ubuntu Leadership Institute (intergenerational mentorship and leadership development), Land-Based Education (outdoor and environmental stewardship programs), Real Talk About the Town (civic engagement through election forums), Bantaba Drum Classes (cultural preservation through music), and the Babas to Brothers Podcast (storytelling and mentorship). Supporting resources include the Black Youth Development Book directory and major initiatives such as the 40x40 Council Rise East plan and Healing Generations Institute. These programs collectively address youth development, cultural identity, health and wellness, civic engagement, and economic empowerment across the Bay Area Black community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ubuntu Leadership Institute (ULI): An intergenerational mentorship program that nurtures leadership, resilience, professional readiness, and empowers young Black men ages 16-22 to understand their potential and purpose.
• Real Talk About the Town
• Land-Based Education
• Black Youth Development Book (BYD Book)
• Bantaba Drum Classes
• Babas to Brothers Podcast
• 40x40 Council
• Rise East
• Healing Generations Institute
• Bese Saka Initiative
• Garvey Plan
• Art of Being a Black Man
• Oakland Outside

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ Black-led organizations connected through BYD Book with 200+ educational programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Golden Trout Wilderness SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Foundational collaboration supporting Land-Based Education through fundraising, Wilderness First Aid certification courses, and hosting annual 'Blackpacking' trips in Sierra Nevada mountains. GTWS staff support Brotherhood-led expeditions.
• 40x40 CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020BOEN serves as key partner in the 40x40 Council collaborative effort with Black Cultural Zone, East Oakland Youth Development Center, and Roots Community Health to reverse decades of disinvestment in Deep East Oakland's '40x40' area through community-driven solutions and a 10-year Rise East plan.
• Bay Area Black United Fund (BABUF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012BABUF serves as BOEN's fiscal sponsor since 2012, enabling BOEN to receive grants including $200,000 from The California Endowment. BABUF is the leading Bay Area African American non-profit dedicated to improving wellness through philanthropy.
• City of Richmond Office of Neighborhood SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Collaborated on violence prevention efforts engaging formerly incarcerated persons convicted of crimes involving firearms. BOEN members served as role models, mentors, and coaches while facilitating dialogue about alternatives to violence.
• Rise East / Oakland ThrivescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOEN is stewarding the Rise East Plan with Oakland Thrives as a model for Black community transformation. Rise East is a 10-year plan shaped with input from 400+ residents with $100 million secured for Deep East Oakland.
• Solidarity Action Alliance of the Bay Area (SAABA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOEN was a founding member of SAABA, a coalition of African, Indigenous, and Latinx men dedicated to enhancing mental, economic, and political well-being of Black and Brown boys, young men, their families, and communities in the Bay Area. Founded through leadership of Ancestor Joe Brooks.
• National Compadres NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to create the Healing Generations Institute, which trains community health workers, promotes familial community healing, and addresses community strife through culturally-based healing circles for emotional, psychological, spiritual healing, and collective support.
• Black Cultural ZonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 40x40 Council collaborative reshaping Deep East Oakland into a vibrant, multi-generational neighborhood where Black residents can stay, return, heal, prosper, and build power.
• East Oakland Youth Development CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 40x40 Council and co-steward of Learn & Grow pillar alongside BOEN, centering young people as essential to the future of Deep East Oakland through ecosystem support from early childhood through young adulthood.
• Roots Community HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 40x40 Council collaborative dedicated to addressing systemic inequities and reversing decades of disinvestment in Deep East Oakland through community-driven solutions.
• UCSFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in NIH-funded project with BlackFULLness app for personalized support to underserved communities, alongside Roots Community Health and Black Teacher Project.
• The Flourish AgendaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization where BOEN staff have created opportunities for individuals to explore toxic social constructs while providing comprehensive lens needed to heal self and community through healing centered engagement.
• Oakland Unified School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOEN worked with OUSD's Office of African American Male Achievement (now Kingmakers of Oakland) to assist in development of African American Manhood Development Curriculum for teachers, mentors, and coaches.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Compadres Network: Direct peer: national Latino and Black men-of-color network co-developing the Healing Generations Institute with BOEN; both organizations operate culturally rooted, intergenerational healing and mentorship programming for boys and men of color.
• Hidden Genius Project: Direct peer: Oakland-based nonprofit training Black male youth in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership; BOEN explicitly partnered with Hidden Genius Project starting in 2014 to bridge the technology divide for Black youth in the same Bay Area geography.
• East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC): Direct peer: East Oakland youth development nonprofit co-stewarding the Learn & Grow pillar of Rise East with BOEN; both serve Black youth and families in the same Deep East Oakland geography with overlapping youth programs.
• The Flourish Agenda: Direct peer: Oakland-based Black youth healing-centered organization whose Camp Akili was previously led by a BOEN team member; both focus on radical healing, anti-racism, and culturally affirming youth development in the Bay Area.
• Kingmakers of Oakland (formerly OUSD Office of African American Male Achievement): Direct peer: Oakland-based initiative developing African American male achievement programs within schools; BOEN co-developed the "Art of Being a Black Man" curriculum with OUSD's predecessor office, and both serve overlapping Black male youth populations in Oakland.
• Roots Community Health Center: Direct peer: Oakland-based Black-led health organization that is a co-steward of the 40x40 Council and Rise East plan alongside BOEN; both serve overlapping Black populations in Deep East Oakland with culturally grounded health and wellness programming.
• Black Cultural Zone: Direct peer: East Oakland Black-led collaborative and co-convener of the 40x40 Council; both organizations share the Rise East 10-year plan and overlapping community development missions targeting the 40x40 area.

Broad incumbents

• My Brother's Keeper Alliance: Broader incumbent: Obama Foundation initiative supporting boys and young men of color nationally; comparable mission focus on opportunity and mentorship for young men of color, but operating at a national scale rather than Oakland-specific community model.
• Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA): Broader incumbent: national backbone organization advancing Black male achievement across multiple U.S. cities, with published work by BOEN's ULI Director; CBMA operates as a field-builder and funder that BOEN's programs feed into and draw learning from.

Others

• San Francisco Foundation (Bese Saka Initiative): Funder/ecosystem peer: Bay Area foundation that launched the Bese Saka Initiative with BOEN to support 18 Black-led organizations; comparable as a peer in the Bay Area Black-led organizational ecosystem rather than as a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@boennews209
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ubuntu-leadership-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Brotherhood Of Elders Network