Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement (CM3)

The Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement (CM3) aims to transform the lives of justice-involved youth, their families, and the systems that impact them by supporting and advancing credible messenger mentoring initiatives in communities across the nation. CM3 is a multi-faceted, BIPOC-led training and development organization that designs and implements an array of programs and initiatives built to transform the lives of justice-involved young people and improve the systems that impact them. Credible Messengers trained by CM3 are currently serving nearly one thousand youth and families in nearly 20 states and cities nationwide. 

Almost one in five disconnected Black boys and young men are living in institutionalized group quarters of some kind, attesting to continued racial disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Credible messengers – community-rooted, indigenous natural leaders who have successfully navigated their experiences with the justice system — help justice-involved and foster youth with personal development, family and community relationships, educational support, workforce development, and leadership training opportunities. Because of these mentoring relationships, the majority of youth CM3 serves leave the justice system and find new paths after their CM3 experience.

Founded in 2020, CM3 is headquartered in Washington DC. The CM3 team has deep roots in human services, non-profit leadership, youth development, youth justice, and workforce development.