2025 New Members Package
Chairman’s Welcome Letter
2024 - 2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman of the Board
Gregory Lockhart
Vice - Chairman
James W. Wade III
Director of Programs
Grady Burrows
At - Large
Brandon Curry
Director of Finance
Lucien Blackwell
Director of Development
Anthony Peebles
Secretary
Robert L. Bankston
At - Large
Mayor Michael Booker
At - Large
Christopher Howse Education
Brett Horton
At - Large
Darian Johnson At - Large
Glen Shumate
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. is to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.
VISION STATEMENT
The 100 seeks to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create environments where our children are motivated to achieve and to empower our people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve.
WHO WE ARE
The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. comprises successful and committed African Americans in the Greater Cleveland area who are coming together to make a difference in the lives of our youth. We are “Real Men Giving Real Time.”
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
In addition to the primary benefits of having the opportunity to make a difference in the community and impact the life of youth positively, members of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. gain the following additional benefits:
•Being a member of the 100 Black Men and volunteering may meet your company’s expectations for community involvement. Some companies pay for their employees to join the organization.
•You become a member of an organization known and respected nationally by major corporations.
•Being a member of the Greater Cleveland Chapter gives you access to other members nationwide.
•This is an opportunity to network with other successful African Americans who come from diverse industries but come together around a common goal.
•Participation in social events that provide exposure and key information from prominent corporate and political leaders.
•Potential to gain access to various corporations through work on fundraising and volunteer activities.
EXPECTATION OF MEMBERSHIP
As members of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, you are expected to Contribute your time, resources, and talents to the benefit and advancement of our organization and its mission.
Pay all annual dues and support our fundraising efforts so that we can implement and support the organization’s programs.
•$250.000 Annual Dues, due by January 31.
•Purchase at least four tickets to the annual Scholarship & Awards Gala.
•Online Mentor Training ‘Mentoring the 100 Way Across a Lifetime’ and the chapter local mentoring training on or by a specific date to be determined by the Membership Chairman / Executive Board of Directors;
•Comply with the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Bylaws
•Attend a minimum of 75% of General Body Meetings annually. Chapter Meetings are generally held on the 4th Thursday of each month.
•Actively serve on at least one (1) chapter committee. The current 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. committees are:
Mentoring
Finance
Health & Wellness
Membership
Resource Development – Fundraising Economic Development Education
•Annually attend at least three (3) volunteer events of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.
•Arrive at Committee and General Body meetings prepared, having read and analyzed any reports or other information forwarded before such meetings.
•Accept and support Board decisions and maintain confidentiality regarding information identified as such. Recognize that the Chair speaks for the chapter in all public matters.
•Agree to guard against and immediately reveal any current or potential personal or business conflicts of interest.
•It is expected that members will actively participate in fundraising activities and be among the first to solicit others. Board members serve as key resources to other individuals, foundations, and corporations where they have influence.
•Attend, actively promote, and help sell tickets and sponsorships to 100 Black Men events.
•Add 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. membership and involvement to my social media profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and like and positively comment on the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Facebook Page.
Education Committe
Brett Horton - Chair: bhorton@hortoncolpa.com
Economic Development
David Taylor - Chair: TDNYC7@aol.com
Health & Wellness
Robert L. Bankston - Chair: robbankston@gmail.com
Mentoring
Darien Johnson - Chair & Ernest Smoot Co-Chair dariandee@sbcglobal.net
Membership
Brandon Curry - Chair
James W. Wade III - Co Chair
Public Relations & Communications
James W. Wade III - Chair jwade@100blackmencle.org
“What They See Is What They’ll Be®”is more than a motto. It is a source of motivation for all members in our 100 Black Men chapter network.
The History of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.
The history of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland is rooted in a pivotal moment when Michael Nelson, a visionary leader, decided to convene a historic meeting. This gathering brought together individuals who represented powerful political factions, including Congressman Louis Stokes, former City Council President George Forbes, and the man who defeated George for Mayor, Michael R. White. The location of this momentous meeting was kept a secret until the day of the event, adding to its intrigue and significance.
A date was set, and Nelson invited a number of his friends, including Larry Hines, Gregory Clifford, Curtis Griggs, Tony Smith, Luther Towers, and Julius Singleton, along with Stokes’ rep, Ron Adrine, Forbes’ rep, Daryl Fields, and White rep, Nate Gray to meet with Chairman Dortch and Roosevelt Adams. The meeting was held at the now-closed Eloise’s Restaurant on East 79th and Carnegie. The National Headquarters approved Cleveland to be established in 1997 and recognized as an entire fledge chapter.
These guys were familiar with the 100 through business, political, or family connections. After listening to the very impressive Thomas Dortch and about an hour or so of discussion, the decision was made to incorporate formally, set a dues structure of $250 annually, and begin recruiting members. So in 1997, The 100 Black Men in Cleveland was established.
The first significant event was a rollout at the Cleveland Clinic, where over 90 men made a commitment to join the cause, with about 70 of them paying their dues. Mayor Michael R. White, a staunch supporter, pledged to buy 100 copies of the renowned motivational speaker George Frazer’s book, ‘Success Runs in Our Race ‘, for each member. George Frazer, who graced the opening event with his presence, generously autographed each member’s copy, symbolizing the dedication and support of the early members.
The next major event was a fundraising gala featuring the late Phylis Hyman, a nationally known recording artist. The event was orchestrated by the dynamic Richard Johnson, a significant internet influencer in today’s social media world. Held at the prestigious Marriott Hotel in Cleveland, the gala was not just a success, but a resounding triumph, underscoring the impact of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland in the community.
The funds raised by that first gala supported the Cleveland chapter’s version of the National 100’s Four For The Future programs of Health/Wellness, economic development, Education, and Mentoring. Larry Hines was our first Program Director, assisted by Curtis (Griggs). The parentheses are intentional; that’s how Curtis spelled his last name.
The 100 would continue to grow its brand in Cleveland. The group coordinated mentoring programs in numerous schools, including Daniel E. Morgan Elementary School, Cleveland East Senior High School, John F. Kennedy Senior High School, East Cleveland Shaw Senior High School, Mound, and Warrensville Heights Senior High School. The 100 also held a Saturday morning mentoring program at its offices in Cleveland’s Shaker Square complex. The numerous programs included a reading program at Daniel E Morgan and a stock market competition at East High School. One of the highlights of our plan was the success of our East High Stock Market Challenge team, which traveled to Atlanta and took on some of the nation’s most prominent schools, finishing a highly respectable 3rd out of the scores of schools that competed.
In 2022, a class of 22 new members came in, and in 2023, the chapter is still thriving, celebrating twenty-five years; after seven chairpersons and numerous galas, the chapter you can still find the men mentoring in such schools as Wade Park and Kenneth Clement Boys Leadership Academy, to name a few.
2024 Under new Leadership Gregory Lockhart as the Chairman & James W. Wade III serving as Vice Chairman, the 100 re-instated the Saturday Academy at Cuyahoga Community College, Eastern Campus. Various new programs and activities were also added.
NEW MEMBERS ROSTER
ORIENTATION INFORMATION
DECLARATION LETTER
This letter is a declaration to all 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. to announce your intent in the organization. Per our By-Laws, the purposes for which this organization is formed are committed to youth mentoring, education, health and wellness, and support for economic development.
The organization shall provide charitable service and support to other associations to advance young men and women throughout Greater Cleveland, Ohio. Specifically, the organization shall promote positive attitudes, encourage academic excellence, and expose our youth to various employment and career development opportunities.
As a member, I will:
1) Be assigned a Mentee
2) Be active on a committee
3) Attend Membership Meetings regularly
4) Pay dues on time
5) Be involved in events/activities of the 100
Signature
Date
EXPECTATIONS & GOALS
It is expected of all our members to:
Serve on at least one committee
Participate in our mentoring efforts
Participate in our programs,
Attend regularly scheduled events and meetings
Pay all dues in a timely manner
In addition to the primary benefits of having the opportunity to make a difference in the community and impact the life of a youth in a positive way, members of 100 gain the following additional benefits:
You become a member of an organization that is known and respected nationally by major corporations.
Being a member of the Greater Cleveland Chapter gives you access to other members nationwide.
The opportunity to network with other successful Blacks in Cleveland who come from diverse industries, but come together around a common goal.
Ability to attend social events that are often free to members but cost non-members.
Participation in quarterly social events that provide exposure and key information from prominent corporate and political leaders.
Potential to gain access to various corporations through work on fund-raising and volunteer activities.
New members are partnered with a current member who will work with you and help you learn the organization.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name
Age Birth Date
Committee you are on
What Hobbies do you like
What’s Your Career Goal?
Your Favorite Holiday
Why That’s Your Favorite Holiday?
What are you Passionate About?
What Can The 100 Do For You?
What Do You Think Your Most Valuable Contribution to The 100 Be?
Please Share Some Of The Ways you Have Mentored Young People In The Past?
Any Concerns or Questions You Have About Our Intake Process
100 Black Men General Body Meeting Dates
January, 23, 2025
February, 27, 2025
March, 28, 2025
April, 24, 2025
May, 22, 2025
June - Break
July - Break
August - Break
September, 25, 2025
October, 23, 2025
November, 20, 2025
December, No Meeting
Meetings held at Highland Hills Village Hall 3700 Northfield Rd.
Highland Hills, Ohio 44122
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
