OPDV is proud to announce a new partnership with former NFL quarterback, Don McPherson, and his organization, Don McPherson Enterprises LLC, which oversees ASPIRE NY as part of the Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys campaign.
 

As a former All-American quarterback at Syracuse University and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, McPherson is an effective messenger to speak to young men about gender-based violence, which he has done since 1995.  The author of You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity, Don has twice testified before the United States Congress and has worked closely with the U.S. Departments of Education and Defense on issues of sexual violence in education and the military, respectively.

McPherson’s approach of Aspirational Masculinity focuses on engaging men and boys in the conversation about preventing gender-based violence by focusing on positive male identity and examining the relationships between boys and men. The model aims to move away from the societal view of toxic masculinity and provide men and boys with behaviors to aspire to, instead of focusing on what they should avoid. As part of this partnership, Mr. McPherson will be assisting OPDV in the promotion of Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys and participating in creating trainings and technical assistance for stakeholders such a universities and youth sports programs, focusing on Aspirational Masculinity throughout New York State.

Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “For too long, the gender-based violence movement has focused on the dangers of toxic masculinity and telling men and boys what they shouldn’t do. This mindset has often led to men and boys not participating in the conversation. It is time that we give men and boys the tools to have healthy relationships in their lives. Don McPherson’s approach of Aspirational Masculinity brings a necessary perspective to the conversation so that we can all work together to end gender-based violence. OPDV is excited to partner with Don and ASPIRE NY on this new chapter and is confident that he will help elevate our Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys campaign.”

Don McPherson said, “We need to instill the belief in our boys that they are capable and worthy of their authentic wholeness as men and, we must be intentional and deliberate in how we inspire them to be aspirational about themselves. The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is working towards this goal through their Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys campaign. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the OPDV to further the idea of Aspirational Masculinity to new communities and I am excited to begin this partnership.” 

In celebration of their new partnership and in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) will hold a panel on October 24, 2023 to discuss Modernizing Masculinity: How Men and Boys Can Break the Mold and Achieve Aspirational Masculinity in partnership with Syracuse University. The panel will be moderated by Mr. McPherson and will consist of Syracuse University and New York State officials and student leaders. The event will feature discussions on modern day masculinity and how society can dispel toxic masculinity and achieve aspirational masculinity.

OPDV’s Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys campaign and the Pledge of Accountability to End Gender-Based Violence were launched in April 2023 in partnership with Lieutenant Governor Delgado. Since its launch, OPDV has highlighted eleven public figures as signatories of the Pledge of Accountability Against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign also includes a toolkit that provides definitions, conversation starters, and resources to “Start the Conversation” about gender-based violence with the men and boys in your life. OPDV will also continue to promote a Public Service Announcement about the issue that has been shown at large-scale sporting events across the State.