The joys of Friday usually stem from the anticipation of the weekend for most, but we had much more to be excited about last week as the Black Belt Community Foundation held their Black Belt Catalyst press conference.

During the event, the public learned which organizations would receive a share of the $415,000 meant to be spread to organizations geared toward promoting young minority boys in rural communities.

The 10 recipents named Friday, which included Selma High School of Gentlemen of Excellence, the Dallas County Children’s Policy Council and 21st Century Youth Leadership, appear to be well deserving of the grant money.

Whether it’s raising graduation rates, maximizing leadership potential or providing counseling, all the groups have a huge impact on the young boys that has the potential to increase with the additional money they earned through the BBCF.

We are anticipating the great outcome this grant will have on this community as its recipents use the funds to reach out to a demographic that “face a different set of barriers to opportunity,” as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation phrased it.

We appreciate the BBCF for tackling the sensitive issue across the Black Belt.