FIND YOUR VOICE
BUILD YOUR FUTURE
Concrete Cub empowers Black boys and young men through literacy, mentorship, leadership development, creative expression, and transformative experiences.
MISSION
EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH LITERACY
Concrete Cub exists to help Black boys and young men discover their voice, strengthen their identity, and develop the literacy, confidence, character, leadership, and life skills needed to shape their own futures.
WHY WE EXIST?
Every young person deserves to be seen, heard, challenged, supported and prepared.
Concrete Cub was created from the belief that every young person carries a story, a voice, and potential that deserves to be developed.
For Black boys and young men, that development requires more than academic instruction. It requires consistency. It requires people who listen. It requires opportunities to explore identity, build confidence, develop character, experience new environments, form meaningful relationships, and discover possibilities beyond what they already know.
We believe literacy is one of the foundations that makes this possible.
Because when a young person learns to understand what they read, express what they think, communicate what they feel, and articulate what they believe, they begin developing more than literacy.
They begin developing their voice.
And when that voice is strengthened through mentorship, exposure, conversation, and community, it can become a tool for leadership, opportunity, and change.
That's why Concrete Cub exists.
GUIDING
PHILOSOPHY
We believe every young person has a voice worth developing, a story worth telling, and the potential to lead.
Literacy gives young people the tools to understand the world around them. Writing helps them understand themselves. Communication gives them the confidence to share their ideas. Leadership teaches them how to use those ideas to positively influence others.
At Concrete Cub, education is not simply about preparing young people for the next grade. It is about preparing them for life.
HOW WE BUILD
BUT CHANGE DOESN'T
BEGIN WITH CHANGE.
01- CONSISTENCY
Show Up.
We teach that progress begins with the discipline to keep showing up—for yourself, your goals, and the people who depend on you.
03 - CHARACTER
Know Who You Are.
Confidence must be supported by integrity, accountability, respect, empathy, discipline, and an understanding of one's values.
05 - CONNECTION
Build Relationships.
Meaningful conversations create relationships. We connect young people with peers, mentors, professionals, experiences, resources, and opportunities beyond what they may encounter every day.
07 - CHANGE
Create What Comes Next.
Change is the result of everything that comes before it. We encourage young people not only to imagine what could be different, but to develop the knowledge, character, relationships, and courage necessary to help make it different.
02 - CONFIDENCE
Believe.
Through preparation, practice, literacy, and experience, young people learn to trust their voices and recognize their capabilities.
04 - CONVERSATION
Use Your Voice.
We create opportunities for young people to speak, write, listen, question, disagree respectfully, tell their stories, and communicate their ideas.
06 - COMMUNITY
Build Together.
Individual growth becomes more powerful when it strengthens families, neighborhoods, schools, organizations, and the people around us.
MEET THE FOUNDER
MATTHEW COLEMAN
As Founder and Executive Director of Concrete Cub, LLC, I believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their voice, build confidence, and realize their potential. Drawing from my background in leadership, training, public safety, and community engagement, I lead Concrete Cub’s vision, programs, partnerships, and growth. Through literacy, mentorship, leadership development, and meaningful experiences, my mission is to help young people become confident communicators, compassionate leaders, and empowered individuals prepared to create lasting change.
