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Convened by Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men
The coalition

Ensuring a future for Virginia's men and boys.

A future where men and boys' unique qualities are recognized and their struggles are supported, for the benefit of all. The Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men is a nonpartisan, statewide network of organizations and leaders working to make that future real.

Why a coalition

The people doing the work, finally in one room.

Across Virginia, educators, clinicians, mentors, and fathers have been advancing boys and men for years, often without much coordination or support. The Coalition brings them together: pooling research, advocacy, and on the ground experience so what works in one community can reach every community.

Nonpartisan by design, the work is framed for the benefit of all, not for one side of any debate. The goal is simple: recognize what boys and men need, and support the people already meeting that need.

What we do

Four ways the Coalition moves the work forward.

01  Raise awareness

Build public awareness of the issues facing boys and men across Virginia.

02  Advise policymakers

Bring data-driven guidance to state legislators and agencies.

03  Collaborate

Coordinate research, advocacy, and messaging across member organizations.

04  Connect nationally

Link Virginia's work to the national network of organizations serving boys and men.

Convened by

Two bodies, one blueprint.

The Commission

Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission

The nation's first permanent, state-level commission focused on boys and men, written into Virginia code and independent of any governor.

About the Commission →

The Coalition

Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men

The statewide network of organizations and leaders convening this work, from schools and clinics to fatherhood programs.

See our members →
The network

A statewide network, already at work.

A nonpartisan, statewide network of organizations and leaders advancing boys and men across Virginia. These are the people and organizations behind the coalition, and the network keeps growing.

Emma Johnson

Founding Director, Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men

Founder of Dads at School, which brings fathers into K-12 schools with $1,000 grants and year-round support.

Kim Hudson, PhD

Director, Center for the Study of Boys at St. Christopher's School

Nearly 50 studies on how boys learn, grow, and develop, with global partnerships and consulting.

J. Glenn Hopkins

President & CEO, Hopkins House

An Alexandria early-childhood-education nonprofit (since 1939) building a pipeline of male ECE teachers through bonus packages and mentorship.

Chris Beach

CEO, Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia

Jody Alexander

President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Richmond

Brad Wilcox

Professor of Sociology, University of Virginia; Director, National Marriage Project

Dennis J. Barbour, Esq

Co-Founder, President & CEO, The Partnership for Male Youth

Joseph Derrick Nelson, PhD

Associate Professor of Educational Studies, Swarthmore College

Blair Daly

Founder, Washington Initiative for Boys and Men

In their words

Put us out of business. Make father engagement and school presence normal and boring.

Emma Johnson, Dads at School

Encouraging young men to pursue meaningful careers in early childhood education is about making sure every child benefits from a variety of role models during their most formative years.

J. Glenn Hopkins, Hopkins House

Help build the blueprint for boys and men.

One email when registration opens, plus the moments that matter along the way.