Expanding Assets and Steering Initiative (EASI): Culturally Centered Mentoring to Nurture the Development of African American Boys.

The article focuses on the Expanding Assets and Steering Initiative (EASI), a culturally centered after-school group mentoring program designed to support the social and emotional development of African American boys at risk due to environmental factors. EASI employs a Pyramid Mentoring (PM) model and therapeutic drumming circles to engage youth, emphasizing Afrocentric cultural assets, positive manhood development, and community involvement through trained Black male mentors called Elders. Evaluation of the program across multiple iterations showed promising outcomes, particularly reductions in aggressive beliefs and increases in self-esteem when the intervention adhered closely to its manualized activities and maintained consistent mentoring relationships. The program highlights the potential benefits of culturally relevant mentoring for improving behavioral health and reducing risks associated with systemic challenges faced by Black youth, suggesting the need for further rigorous replication and integration into community and social work practices.