Quadeer Porter is on a mission to keep young men who are at risk for self-harm on a healthier life path. The founder of Brothers Building a Better Nation (BBABN) began by working with men in Newark’s Lower Broadway neighborhood, providing mental health services to help them work through their trauma associated with systemic discrimination, poverty, and lack of opportunity.
“We seek to eliminate the systemic barriers to mental health services to help young men avoid self-harm,” explained Quadeer, who established his nonprofit in 2020. “One of those barriers is too few therapists of color to work with this population. We are reshaping the Black and Latino male image as well, as men see that working with a therapist helps them build a more positive life.”
The Newark native said that many of the “brothers” he helped in the beginning were in the criminal justice system or at risk of incarceration or worse, and his goal was “to keep these young men alive.” BBABN clients get access to a therapist of color and resources to alleviate housing, addiction and other social issues, especially for those who were formerly incarcerated. Since its inception, his program has broadened its reach.
“Thanks to a partnership with Children of Essex, we are now delivering intensive in-community services to children ages 4-21. We also have a separate program for mentoring and tutoring services,” said Quadeer. Through the Essex County agency, families receive behavioral health services for their children at no cost. He added that women are also benefiting from therapy and facilitated support groups.
How home ownership led to building something more for Newark men
Quadeer was working in a comfortable IT job and at age 30, bought a house in Newark during the pandemic—an investment in his hometown community.
“A lot of men on the block wanted to know how I managed to buy the house since it was unusual for a young Black man to become a homeowner. Some of them would help me around the house and I started tutoring some of them. They saw that a brother could be successful.”
The organization’s mission crystallized after a tragic neighborhood episode of gun violence. The men told Quadeer that a lack of jobs meant a life of being broke and bored, without a place of their own to live or hope for the future…factors that lead to violence. He came up with the idea to attract young brothers from the community to build something better for themselves.
In addition to mental health services, BBABN offers apprenticeship opportunities, housing assistance, legal advice, and job preparation. The overarching goal is to provide consistent engagement with men at risk.
“We break the echo chamber of negativity by exposing our brothers to different opportunities and workplaces, so they see there is life outside of their immediate environment to aspire to,” said Quadeer.
On becoming a Making a Difference Award Honoree
Quadeer left his full-time job in 2024 to devote all his energy and attention to BBABN. The cash award and recognition he received as a Making a Difference Honoree in 2022 made a big difference in several ways. He invested his cash award into the nonprofit to help it grow, which spurred more robust fundraising and awareness.
“Being a Making a Difference Honoree meant the world to me. I could finally fulfill the promise to the young men here and it gave me hope that we have created something worthwhile. I am grateful to the Russell Berrie Foundation for helping bring awareness to these men’s issues through my recognition,” he said.
BBABN is still in startup mode but it’s growing quickly to keep pace with need in the community. He hopes to hire several full-time trained therapists to provide consistent mental health services and is currently in negotiations to lease and renovate building space in 2025. He is also looking forward to partnering with more local agencies and incubators to broaden outreach and support, to help more people.
“I love what I do and I am patient with the process. We are breaking down barriers that have been up for centuries; we can’t break them down within a few years.”
