Organizational Leadership and management are important to the African-American MSM community for many reasons: the cultural legacies of our community institutions, the complexities/diversity of roles organizations play in the community, and the unique challenges organizational leaders face as both members and leaders of a marginalized community.

African-american MSM organizations were founded on strong social networks and building homes for our local communities. These organizations hold the local histories of communities while serving as “meeting house” for generations of MSM of African descent. Over time, these same organizations have taken on national roles in efforts to secure issues related to quality of life (i.e employment, education) and HIV/AIDS/health disparaties. In order to maintain African-american MSM organizations, we need strong management and organizational development lenses from which to understand the institution legacies/place and the emerging needs of the community while maintaining sustainable, transparent and accountable organizations.

African-american MSM organizations continue to play a diversity of roles, providing social supports, direct services, and/or HIV/AIDS service providers. In addition, organizations serve as public advocates around issues related to African-American MSMs, and local community gathering space. Organizations and leaders need the skills necessary to navigate the diversity fields which intersect in African-american MSM community based work. Strong organizational management and leadership build the capacity of organizations to remain relevant.