Call to Service for Baltimore Mentors & Community Role Models
MONTHLY REPORT Inside this Issue
Volume 1. Issue 1 September 2014
• Insight from the President of Black Professional Men, Inc. Mr. Teddy Coates • Introducing Mr. Alfred Griffin, Schools Program Manager • Black Professional Men, Inc. various programs are introduced • Ms. Brittany Young of Big Sib/Little Sib speaks about the program • Mr. Leon Henry shares insight on P3B, sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters • Mr. Jerome R. Alexander talks about “The Big Dig” • Mr. Joe Spellman shares his insight on the importance of partnerships
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Call to Service for Baltimore Mentors & Community Role Models
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
BLACK PROFESSIONAL MEN (BPM), INC. MONTHLY REPORT (SEPTEMBER 2014)
September 12, 2014 Testing 1, 2, 3... Calling all mentors and community role models to a monthly planning session co-sponsored by Black Professional Men, Inc. and it’s partners in the community. If you are even REMOTELY involved in making a change in OUR community and you would like to partner with BPM and it’s partners, then this monthly planning session is for you. The bottom line is this: Our community needs you, NOW!!! Make the commitment TODAY to join us at the next planning session. For more information contact the BPM Youth Development Chair Mr. Hasson Diggs at brainstorm2002@aol.com or at (404) 964-1880).
Big Sib/Lil Sib Cultivating Leaders through Academic Excellence The brain-child of Ms. Brittany Young and Ms. Nicole Logan, the Big Sib/Lil Sib program was introduced by Ms. Young at the inaugural Mentor & Community Role Model planning session held at the Boy Scouts of America Headquarters. The program, which takes place at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (BPI) bridges the gap between middle and high school students and is designed to develop young leaders. Big Sib/Lil Sib is guided by the motto: Cultivating Leaders through Academic Excellence. Contact Ms. Young or Ms. Logan at bigsiblilsibprogram@gmail.com. For additional information be sure to check out their website at: www.bpi.edu/ bigsiblilsib.
Black Professional Men, Inc. & Boy Scouts of America, Inc. Partnership Leadership by Design Leadership is needed at every level and if you are looking for the pinnacle of strong leadership, then look no further than Mr. Alfred Griffin. Serving as the Baltimore Area City District Commissioner, Mr. Griffin is a solid force in our community. Now, a new partnership is born between the Boy Scouts of America, Inc. and Black Professional Men, (BPM) Inc. Black Professional Men (BPM), Inc. considers it a gift to have him lend his talents through volunteerism as the Schools Program Manager in support of BPMs Youth Development Committee (YDC) school based initiatives. One of the designs of a true leader, is his or her ability to serve in a volunteer capacity. Perhaps one may not be on Dancing with the Stars or Showtime at the Apollo Live but, as Mr. Griffin is proving, everyone can serve.
Mr. Alfred Griffin Baltimore Area City District Commissioner (City Lights Service Area)
During the Call to Service for Mentors Meeting Mr. Griffin spoke about the importance of collaboration and bringing the community together. As the Schools Program Manager his oversight and implementation of school based programs including the Quarterly Vision Board Program, where students get an opportunity to discover their dreams and passion for success, will empower and impact our community directly, by positively changing the lives of the students that live within. There are many characteristics of a true leader and some of them include vision, foresight, boldness, direction, and talent. Some say leaders are born and others suggest that they are made. While that debate continues, there is no stopping the vision in Mr. Griffin that continues to make Baltimore a world class city as he raises the bar on leadership by design. 2
P3B
MR. TEDDY COATES, PRESIDENT BPM
Shared about the importance of bringing time, resources, and talents together in an effort to leverage them across the community ❖ Mr. Coates spoke of the importance of NOT duplicating efforts as we continue to make an impact in the community ❖ It’s imperative that organizations not only have the will but also the skill to impact the community ❖
MR. HASSON DIGGS, YDC CHAIR
Mr. Leon Henry of Big Brothers Big Sisters discussed an exciting new program, P3B, which stands for Positive Pathways Program of Baltimore and is designed for kids 14-18 years old and provides innovative strategies and programs to ensure that they do not become involved in the criminal justice system. “It is important that these kids do not get involved with the criminal justice system”, says Mr. Henry. The program strives to match these young adults with Mentors that will guide and remain with them throughout a lifetime.
Introduced the concept of a Quarterly Vision Board and it’s implementation into local Baltimore Schools ❖ Spoke of the importance of a “plug and play”approach ❖ It’s imperative that organizations not only have the will but also the skill to impact the community ❖ BPM has launched a reading program with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum - beings September 24th. the focus of the first session in interacting with Police ❖
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The Big Dig
MR. O’NEIIL MCDANIELS, JR. FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM MANAGER
Shared information on BPM’s partnership with Operation Hope in support of the Banking on Our Future (BOOF) Financial Literacy Program ❖ BPM in partnership with Operation Hope has presented the BOOF program to over 300 students at Branch Elementary and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (BPI) ❖ Contact Mr. McDaniel's at mcdanielsjr@gmail.com or at (443) 722-0979 ❖
Mr. Joe Spellman, City Lights Field Director of Boy Scouts of America Baltimore discussed the importance of partnership and making an impact collectively. Mr. Spellman shared that on October 10th and 11th starting at 5pm the Boy Scouts will sponsor a Robotics Demonstration at Leakin Park ~ the Ben Cardin Pavilion, 4500 Franklintown Rd. Baltimore, Md. 21207. In addition, other activities, including Horseback Riding and a Brotherhood of the Drums Demo are planned for this event. Register at www.baltimorebsa.org.
Mr. Jerome R. Alexander, Director of Youth Development of the Greater Baltimore Leadership Association - Young Professionals discussed “The Big Dig”, a nature based program designed to get our youth engaged and connected with the outdoors. Take a look at what students in this program have been doing: Fifth grade students from Gilmor and Lockerman Bundy Elementary schools joined with eighth grade students from Booker T. Washington Middle school and Bluford Drew Jemison S.T.E.M. academy to plant trees and perform park maintenance in Baltimore’s Cherry Hill park. The Big Dig, in its fifth year gives back to the community in the most profound way - by nature. For additional information about The Big Dig please contact Mr. Alexander at youthdevelopment@gblaimpact.org or at (443) 794-4772.
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