100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. 2022 Gala Book

100 History

History of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

The overall concept of “100” began in New York in 1963 when a group of concerned African American men began to meet to explore ways of improving conditions in their community. The group eventually adopted the name, “100 Black Men, Inc.” as a sign of solidarity. These men envisioned an organization that would implement programs designed to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities. They also wished to ensure the future of their communities by aiming an intense number of resources toward youth development. These members were successful black men from various walks of life.

Today the organization has grown to over 100 chapters with more than 10,000 members internationally who continue to strive to improve the quality of life in our communities and enhance the educational and economic opportunities for African Americans. 100 Black Men of America, Inc. has more than 100,000 youth participants annually in its mentoring and youth development programs.

With a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for African Americans, members of The “100” continue to serve as a strong force in the world by overcoming the cultural and financial obstacles that have limited the achievements of some African Americans, particularly young African American males. Members of the 100 have made outstanding progress, proving that Blacks can, and do, excel as corporate leaders, community leaders and as independent business owners.

What We Do

The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. (The 100) Improves the quality of life for the communities we serve. Mentoring is the core service delivery of The 100, the largest network of African American male mentors in the nation. We influence and transform the lives of the underrepresented and disenfranchised youth with a focus on African American youth. Through our platform of Mentoring The 199 Way @Across A Lifetime, we provide programmatic services in education, health and wellness, economic empowerment and leadership development, which makes a fundamental difference in the lives of the youth we touch and the communities we serve.

CONGRATULATIONS,

2022 Black Men in Black Ties Honorees

The Board of Trustees and staff of the Saint Luke's Foundation of Cleveland extend their congratulations to the 100 Black Men's honorees for their exceptional contributions to the community.

Good evening Honored Guests and Supporters,

With great pleasure, I welcome you to our annual 100 Black Men in Black Ties Scholarship and Awards Gala, “Building Dreams with Youth in Mind”. This evening we are honoring some of Cleveland’s finest leaders and change-makers in MENTORING: Mr. George P. Golden, EDUCATION: Ayesha Bell Hardaway, J.D., HEALTH & WELLNESS: Ms. Jazmin Long, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Ms. Ariane B. Kirkpatrick, TRAILBLAZER AWARD: Mr. Lonnie Coleman, RISING STAR AWARD: Mr. Antwan Steele, LEADERSHIP AWARD: Mr. Al Grimes, BLACK EXCELLENCE AWARD: Alpha Phi Alpha Cleveland Alphas and LARRY HINES FOUNDERS AWARD: The Honorable Michael L. Nelson, Sr. All deserve the recognition we are providing to them, and no one can dispute that our promising young scholars need all the encouragement and financial scholarship grants they can obtain to help them through college.

There has been tremendous planning and preparation to provide you with a memorable evening. I would like to personally thank our Mistress and Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Danita Harris and Mr. Wayne Dawson. They all have contributed in a significant way to the success of this evening’s Gala. “What they see is what they’ll be” is the tagline for the 100 Black Men of America and all of its Chapter Affiliates. The members of the 100 have committed to improving the quality of life for the community we serve by advocating for change and creating opportunities for our youth. We are concerned professional men who live by the adopted creed “Real Men, Giving Real Time,” which we believe assists in developing our future leaders with guidance, support, nurturing, and encouragement. As mentors, we serve as trusted advisers and role models of success for our mentees as we promote educational excellence, personal responsibility, respect, and self-discipline. Your generous financial support will help provide the necessary resources to increase awareness of our local Chapter’s mission and goals to provide college scholarships and mentoring programs for our youth. You are invited to become a mentor as it has the capacity to not only change a life but to save a life.

Lastly, on behalf of the fine Officers and Board of Directors of the Cleveland Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., I would like to extend a special thank you to the Gala committee, 100 members and volunteers for their humble and tireless commitment to strengthening our organization while making our community a better place to live and work. Tonight’s celebration is honoring our 25th Anniversary and we feel it an honor to have our National Chairman join us in Cleveland, Mr. Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Thank you, everyone, for supporting our Chapter. Hence, we continue to provide programming for our youth.

Sincerely yours, Lee V. Fields Jr. Chairman

Greetings, and welcome to the 2022 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc., Scholarship and Awards Gala! On behalf of the Gala Committee, it has been a true labor of love to bring you this year’s festivities as we honor and celebrate our distinguished honorees and the 25th Anniversary of serving youth in the Greater Cleveland Community. It is because of your much valued support, engagement and participation that allows us to provide a variety of programmatic services, activities, and exposure opportunities through mentorship to our mentees.

As this evening is a landmark celebration of an illustrious 25-year journey, we are indeed privileged to have you with us and hope you continue to support and partner with our efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for the youth and families we serve. To each honoree, you are to be congratulated and applauded for not only your exemplary contributions to the Greater Cleveland community over the years, but as an example of leadership, accomplishments, and character to our youth. With the many challenges they face today, they can aspire to greatness and reach their full potential based on the excellence you demonstrate and exemplify.

Please allow me to personally thank the Honorary Gala Co-Chairs, Gala Committee Members and this year’s Gala Consultant for your tireless efforts and contributions. It has been an honor to serve alongside you leading up to this most auspicious and memorable occasion. To the Mistress and Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Danita Harris, and Mr. Wayne Dawson along with the many talented participants and supportive services, thank you for giving of your time and effort this evening.

And finally, to all this year’s corporate sponsors, contributors, patrons, supporters, volunteers, and Friends of the 100, thank you immensely for helping to make this evening a success. Your commitment, dedication and generosity will help us further our mission and support our “Four For The Future programs; Mentoring, Education, Health and Wellness and Economic Empowerment. This is only the beginning and a new day for 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. We look forward to your continued partnership in the upcoming year as we Build Dreams with YOUth in Mind!

Bob Ivory 2022 Gala Chairman

December 10, 2022

for the Future

Mentoring

Mentoring is the foundation of what 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland brings to the community. Our mentors are committed to guiding youth in life experiences, fostering a positive self-perception and self-respect, encouraging excellence in education, and the pursuit of positive life-long goals. The 100 is engaged in innovative mentoring programs that serve young people, who are nurtured by certified mentors and role models.

“Walk A Mile With A Child” has served a crucial role in providing mentorship while adjusting to the Covid-19 pandemic. This program fosters relationship development with youth while promoting healthy lifestyles in a socially distanced, safe environment.

—Darian Johnson, Chair

Education

Education is the key to opportunity and success. The 100 BMOGC delivers support services, which help youth achieve their educational goals. Our work with youth involves reading, math, tutoring, enrichment, and leadership. Continuously developing programs to educate and enrich students with their reading and math skills, the 100 is diligently working to improve the educational skills of our children.

We have committed to an ongoing program for students at both Mound and Wade Park Elementary schools where members of 100 dedicate time weekly to 3rd and 4th graders to ensure success in school and their everyday lives.

—Grady Burrows, Chair

for the Future

Health & Wellness

Health and wellness is a critical component of a thriving community. The purpose of the 100’s Health and Wellness program is to raise awareness levels concerning health issues, promote preventative health strategies, deliver screening and provide education on prevalent African American diseases. Targeted health issues for the 100 are: Prostate Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition and Childhood Obesity.

As supporters of the National Kidney Foundation, we raise critical dollars to help and promote kidney disease awareness.

—Marvin Ferguson, RPH, M.B.A, LSSGB, Chair

Economic Development

Economic Empowerment is to enhance collaboration between African Americans to help promote financial literacy and financial investment. Our primary areas are: Financial Literacy, Family Wealth Building and Entrepreneurship. Through comprehensive curricula and training, these programs work to promote economic self-sufficiency.

Our programs include: Computer coding classes, entrepreneurship, investment, retirement preparation, responsible use of credit, career exploration, home ownership, planned savings, soft skills training and job development.

PROGRAMS

“Dollars and Sense” - a Financial Literacy program that focuses on building the economic and investment capabilities of Black and Brown high school students. We will leverage a nationally recognized curriculum to be facilitated by the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland mentors, local and regional leaders in the financial industry. We will field a team of students to participate and travel to the 37th Annual National Conference in June of 2023 to compete for prizes and scholarships. Most importantly we will begin to build a foundation of financial literacy in our mentees that will pay dividends for many years and for some, start the journey of financial freedom and generational wealth.

“We Are Kings” - This program motivates mentees to pursue academic excellence and intellectual growth. Within the context of learning and playing the game of chess, our mentees will learn valuable skills that will improve cognitive ability, academic performance, social and life skills. We hope that this program develops into a 100 Black Men “We Are Kings” Mentee Chess Team that can compete at the middle and high school level locally and nationally.

“Fi itness 4 All” - The 100’s Health and Wellness program goals are to raise awareness, normalize conversation around personal health and provide access to health care information that will ultimately promote behavior change resulting in a healthier lifestyle. Mentees and their mentors will also participate together in fitness activities and health awareness projects in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Cleveland.

“In School Tutoring” - Our in-school tutoring program takes place each Wednesday morning from approximately 9 – 10 am at targeted elementary schools in the Greater Cleveland Area. Members of The 100 tutor one to two 3rd and 4th grade boys on reading literacy and basic math skills. Our strategy is to engage the students when they are entering the third grade so that they may experience greater success when taking state proficiency tests in the spring of each year. We also conduct simple science experiments with the students and share perspectives of our professional work so that they stay engaged and gain exposure to professions which they may aspire to.

“Walk a Mile with a Child” - This is a biweekly recurring nature walk among the plants and animals in select Northeast Ohio Metro Parks. This program contributes to the health and wellness of both the mentee and mentors while we are providing mind-opening conversations about life, life skills, self-esteem, the importance of education and learning needed job skills, goal setting, civic and community engagement, relationships, current events (remove comma), and the questions and concerns they may have, along with the many topics included in “Mentoring the 100 Way.”

Honoring our 25th Anniversary

Honoring our 25th Anniversary

Wayne Dawson

Wayne Dawson is co-anchor of Fox 8 News in the Morning, Cleveland’s Number 1 morning show, seen weekdays from 4 am to 10 am. Before teaming up with the morning crew, Wayne served as co-anchor of the weekend editions of FOX 8 News – rated Number 1 for five consecutive years with Wayne behind the desk.

For two years before joining WJW in the late –’70s, Wayne was an anchor/reporter at WNIR Radio in Kent, Ohio. The 1979 graduate of Kent State University holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism. An eleven-time Emmy winner, Wayne is a member of the NAACP, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He is also a member of the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 2014 Wayne was inducted into the NATAS Silver Circle and received the Chuck Heaton Award for the Cleveland Press Club. He was also awarded the William Taylor Alumni from the Journalism and Mass Communications School of Kent State University.

Wayne was also twice named one of Jaycee’s “Outstanding Young Men of America.” Beyond that, the Professional Women’s Business Association selected Wayne as “Outstanding TV News Reporter,” Delta Sigma Theta named him “Man of the Year.” Wayne Dawson is also an ordained minister. He is the pastor of Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lyndhurst .

Danita Harris

Danita Harris, WEWS News5 anchorwoman and an Emmy-Award winning journalist, uses her profession as a main anchor to reach many people because it partners well with her commitment to community service. Danita has held several roles at WEWS. In 1998, she came to NewsChannel5 as part of the “Morning Exchange,” where she did live feature reports. After two years, Danita moved to WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. to anchor the news but love for the Cleveland area quickly brought her back to WEWS in September 2000 to anchor “Good Morning Cleveland” and NewsChannel5 at noon.

Danita is a six-time Emmy-Award winner (2004, 2017 and 2019), was inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the prestigious Chuck Heaton award from The Press Club of Cleveland. She was also recognized by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the Outstanding Women in Ministry in Cuyahoga County. Harris is extremely proud of serving as a guest host on ABC’s “The View,” and interviewing talk show host Oprah Winfrey. After anchoring the morning show for six years, Harris was promoted to the evening anchor position, which she held until March of 2020, when she decided to return to Good Morning Cleveland and News5 at noon so that she could be home more with her son Chase.

Danita’s latest initiative “It’s Your Time to S.H.I.N.E.” is a women’s group designed to help hurting women find the light within themselves. It was birthed out of Danita’s desire to be a vessel of hope to those who feel forgotten, rejected, abused, and unloved. October 2018, she founded S.H.I.N.E. Girlz Mentoring Program, that is currently in schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. During the first year, over 100 4th- 8th grade girls successfully completed the S.H.I.N.E. Girlz Mentoring Program. Danita recently developed S.H.I.N.E. Brothers Mentoring Program for boys.

Danita has won numerous awards for being a civic-minded individual whose passion for people is evident by all who meet her. She is active in WEWS’s shadow program that allows high school students to spend the day with broadcast professionals. In her spare time, she loves listening to jazz and gospel music. One of Danita’s greatest blessings is her son Chase. He is an answered prayer and a testament of God’s faithfulness to her. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women. Rev. Danita Harris was born in Chester, PA and she currently attends Church on the North Coast in Wickliffe. She is an instructor of Effective Communication in Ministry at the Ohio Leadership Academy of the Cleveland Baptist Association.

100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland

100 Black Men in Black Ties Scholarship and Awards Gala

December 10, 2022

Wayne Dawson, Anchor - FOX 8

Danita Harris, Anchor - News 5 Cleveland Master & Mistress of Ceremonies

Grand March 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Induction of New Members 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. New Members

Mentee Affirmation 100 Black Men Mentees

Lift Every Voice and Sing

CSA Alumni Ensemble Invocation

Grady Burrows, Education Chair 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.

Welcome, Goal of the Evening, Acknowledgments

Bob Ivory, Gala Chairman 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.

A Day in the Life of The “100”

Lee V. Fields, Jr., Chairman 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.

Dinner is Served

Awards Presentation

Larry Hines Founder’s Award

Closing Remarks

Benediction

Lee V. Fields, Jr., Chairman Gregory Lockhart, Vice Chairman Bob Ivory, Gala Chairman

Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman 100 Black Men of America

Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Chairman 100 Black Men of America

Amyis Glover, Mentee 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.

Music by Forecast Lo Key Entertainment

Announcer & Honoree Video Voice Over Bijou Star - 93.1 FM Comedian Michael Head

For everyone’s safety, face coverings are mandatory when not eating or drinking

Mentoring

Golden

George Golden, Director Cleveland Metropolitan School District Closing the Achievement Gap (CTAG)

George’s consistent advocacy for positive youth development initiatives began his sophomore year at Baldwin Wallace University while working as a part-time recreation assistant with The Berea Children’s Home. His passion for assisting young people continued while working as a group home parent with Bellefaire/JCB where, over the years, his wife and he fostered 21 children.

He then pursued and obtained advanced degrees in Social Science Administration and School Counseling at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University, respectively. These degrees have provided the keys that opened many doors to rewarding opportunities and relationships while working with: INROADS NORTHEAST OHIO, coordinating the recruitment and retention of high school and college students for corporate internship placement; CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, managing a NASA supported enrichment curriculum focused on science, engineering, mathematic and aerospace concepts; ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, supervising a staff of student advisors who provided supportive services for students in middle school and high school.

George

Education

Ayesha Bell

Ayesha Bell Hardaway is an Associate Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) where she is the Director of the Law School’s Social Justice Law Center and its Criminal Defense Clinic. Professor Hardaway also serves as Co-Director of CWRU’s Social Justice Institute.

As a faculty member, Professor Hardaway teaches as a clinician in the Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic and has worked with students in criminal justice, civil litigation, and health law. For the Criminal Defense Clinic, Professor Hardaway supervises students in their first-chair direct representation of clients accused of misdemeanors in the Greater Cleveland area. The foundation of that service is provided through Professor Hardaway’s seminar in two ways —students receive instruction on statutory and sentencing requirements of commonly charged misdemeanors and, of equal importance, students explore issues of race, poverty and the legal and non-legal collateral consequences of misdemeanor charges and offenses.

Professor Hardaway received CWRU’s Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Development for the 2020-2021 academic year. That same year, the law school awarded her with the Distinguished Research Prize among law school faculty. Professor Hardaway has also been honored to receive the Black Law Students Sankofa Graduation Professor of the Year Award for two consecutive academic years, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Professor Hardaway currently is serving as the Interim Monitor of the Independent Monitoring Team appointed to evaluate the progress and implementation of Cleveland Police Department reforms mandated by a settlement agreement between the City of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice. Her research and scholarship interests include the intersection of race with constitutional law, criminal law, policing, and civil litigation.

Her scholarship includes publication of major articles in Georgetown’s, Boston University’s and Stanford’s law journals. Professor Hardaway has written on reparations and the intersection of labor law and the Thirteenth Amendment. Her most influential work revolves around policing and civil rights. Her incredibly influential work on police reform has also made her an enormously influential voice in this field. She appeared on CNN, including The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, and on ESPN’s The Undefeated during the Derek Chauvin trial. She was also quoted in papers like USA Today to Rolling Stone magazine. Professor Hardaway has also been asked to opine on other high-profile incidents in outlets such as the Associated Press, U.S. News and World Report, NY Times, Washington Post, and the Boston Globe.

Health & Wellness

Jazmin Long

Jazmin Long is a dedicated and passionate young community leader with a proven track record of developing strategic relationships and leading teams to produce great outcomes that drive community impact. As President and Chief Executive Officer of Birthing Beautiful Communities (BBC), Jazmin is focused on achieving positive birth outcomes for Black families that are in stark contrast to the racial disparities in maternal and infant health that exist throughout Cuyahoga County. For more than a decade, Cuyahoga County has had some of the worst infant mortality rates in the nation. Jazmin seeks to change that.

At BBC, Jazmin leads a team of nearly 50 Perinatal Support Doulas dedicated to transforming the lives of expectant and new mothers through the perinatal period, labor and delivery, and into postpartum by providing social support through culture, education, advocacy, support, and engagement. Jazmin believes that if our babies and mothers aren’t doing well, our communities aren’t doing well, and these beliefs drive her leadership and vision. Recognizing that many poor birth outcomes are 20 percent clinical and 80 percent social, Jazmin has been instrumental in developing strategic partnerships and programs to reduce the internalized stresses caused by problems with employment, housing and education.

As Northeast Ohio’s only Black Doula agency, BBC has grown in the last few years to serve more than 500 mothers and families with life-changing and life-saving support to ensure that mothers and their babies not only survive but thrive.

Economic Empowerment

Ariane Kirkpatrick

Ariane Kirkpatrick is president and CEO of The AKA Team, a full service commercial construction and facilities company. Based in Cleveland, the 10-year-old multimillion dollar firm partners with its clients to provide collaborative management and construction services through three divisions. No matter the scale of a project, the mission is to offer solutions with the company motto in mind: Always Known As the Team you can depend on.

Ariane’s goal to become an entrepreneur started at an early age. In 1969, at age five, she recalls joining her family boycott of the neighborhood McDonald’s because African Americans were banned from owning franchises. She didn’t understand the impact then, but that moment planted the seed to become a community leader with various economic, educational and civic organizations. But the path to entrepreneurship has never been easy.

Ariane is the CEO of Harvest Grows, Harvest of Ohio, and Harvest Processing, companies with provisional large-scale medical, cannabis cultivation,dispensary and processing licenses, for operations in Ironton, suburban Dayton, Columbus and Athens, Ohio. Her plan is to create economic development opportunities that come with marijuana and its ability to change lives, transform economies and provide jobs for people who desperately need work.

Ariane loves the city of Cleveland and she’s been recognized by several organizations as a result of her efforts to play a role in improving programs, including diversity and inclusion efforts in various industries. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies at Cleveland State University and is also an alumnus of Cuyahoga Community College. But her proudest accomplishment is being the mother of two sons, Ali and Kristopher. She is the proud wife of Danny Couch, and stepmother of Camille and Jazmine.

“If you hold your hand closed, nothing good can come of it. The open hand is blessed, for it gives abundance, even as it receives.” – Biddy Mason

“Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.” – Barack Obama

Jabali

Ariane B. Kirkpatrick, President/CEO, The AKA Team ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AWARD

Rising Star

Antwan Steele

With an unwavering passion for giving back to his community, creating more positive outcomes for our youth, and teaching singles, Antwan Steele is undoubtedly a man of service. Through his work as an author, speaker, and entrepreneur, he is dedicated to making a difference in all of the lives that he touches.

It’s safe to say that Antwan Steele is not new to this, but true to this. With a passion for bringing people together, in 2007, he created an event called Twan’s Cookout and hosted it in his parents’ backyard. At it’s inception, Twan’s Cookout attracted over 300 attendees. Over the next four years, the cookout continued to grow and became a staple summer event. After rededicating his life to Christ, in 2011, Antwan changed the named of the gathering to “Our Cookout” and began hosting in Downtown Cleveland’s Voinovich Park. He wanted it to be more inclusive and family oriented. From 20112013, Our Cookout would attract over 1,000 attendees each summer, now serving the even greater purpose of creating awareness, building unity, and giving back to the city Antwan loves.

Antwan is an ordained minister of The Word Church. In his spare time, he loves to travel and create new memories with family and friends. He is an enthusiastic learner and intentionally invests in programs that teach him how to be a better leader, content creator, and digital marketer. Antwan has been married to his lovely wife, Arrione, for four years. Together, they have created a lifestyle YouTube channel and relational discussion podcast, both titled Love Made of Steele. The Steeles currently live in Beachwood, OH and recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Aria, into their world.

Trailblazer Award

Lonnie Coleman

Lonnie is the President and CEO of the Coleman Spohn Corporation. A mechanical contracting firm established in 1994 to install heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for the commercial and industrial construction market. The company main office is located in Cleveland, Ohio and has offices in Columbus, Ohio and St. Louis, Missouri.

Lonnie has been actively involved in the changing skyline of Cleveland. He has participated in the construction of such facilities as the Hilton Convention Center Hotel, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Progressive Field, The Quicken Loans Arena, The Cleveland Convention Center, Cleveland Browns Stadium, The Monte Ahuja Medical Center, Ernst & Young Office Tower, Eaton’s Cleveland Headquarters Facility, The MetroHealth Bed / Tower and The Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute.

Lonnie is involved in many professional and civic organizations in the Greater Cleveland area. He is a member of The Presidents’ Council and served as its President. He is a board member of The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America where he served as its President (2009), The Apprenticeship Advisory Council for the Department of Labor, Washington DC, the Say Yes to Education Committee and The UBIZZ Board of Directors for the Urban League.

Lonnie’s honors and achievements include receiving the “SBA’s Minority Contractor of the Year” Award; SBA’s Administrators Award for Excellence; Governor’s “Minority Business of the Year” Award; EPA’s “National Minority Contractor of the Year” Award and induction into Inside Business Magazines “Business Hall of Fame.”

Lonnie, a Twinsburg resident has been married for 53 years to Frances Y. Hurd, a native of Lima, Ohio. They are the parents of three children, Kelli, Kiana and Christopher.

Leadership Award

Grimes

Mr. Grimes is responsible for developing, implementing and managing the Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative. He has managed the initiative from inception into a successful best practice program while securing millions of dollars for fatherhood activities/programs/ special events from a combination of county, state and federal funding. Mr. Grimes manages all county related fatherhood contracts, leads community activities and represents the county in collaborations. He also directs policy development and technical assistance among collaborations and works with national, state and local partners to monitor the successes of other fatherhood programs.

Prior to beginning his work at Cuyahoga County, Mr. Grimes spent four years as part of the General Motors Corporation’s Minority Dealer Development Program in Detroit, Michigan and prior to that career move Mr. Grimes spent 23 years in various management positions with the British Petroleum (BP America) Corporation.

Mr. Grimes is the proud father of two daughters, Jennifer, a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta and Ashley a graduate of Emory University, which is also in Atlanta.

Mr. Grimes graduated from Ohio Northern University with a B.A. in Business Administration. Mr. Grimes also completed the Business Development Program at the Case Western Reserve Weatherhead School of Management.

Mr. Grimes has also spent time working with community organizations that include, the United Way, the United Negro College Fund, SCLC, BPA , the Boy Scouts of America and others.

Al

Black Excellence Award

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

On December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Eight years later an undergraduate chapter, Pi Chapter, was established that was composed of students attending Case Western Reserve University. This early chapter grew out of young men in the Cleveland College Club. . On November 15, 1947, graduate (Alumni) brothers in the Cleveland area chartered Delta Alpha Lambda (DAL) Chapter to further support the undergraduates and alumni to provide leadership to the communities.

Cleveland Alphas have been innovators including patenting of the first traffic signal in the United States, developing the first Black engineering firm in Ohio in 1954, as well as clergymen helping to lead the Civil Rights Movement alongside Brother Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After the 2022 election, another esteemed brother was elected the 58th Mayor of Cleveland in Brother Justin Bibb. Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha have proven themselves innovative in numerous fields including business, education, law, medicine, media, technology, and numerous other fields. Since 1947, Delta Alpha Lambda has facilitated Alpha’s national programs throughout the city including youth programming with Project Alpha, Voteless People Is A Hopeless People (1921), Go To High School Go To College (1930), and Brother’s Keeper (2010) that continuously facilitate the upward movement of our youth. This includes the awarding of over $100,000 in scholarships throughout the years to disadvantaged youth.

In addition to national programming, local initiatives include food distribution through the Boswell/Venable Holiday Food Basket Giveaway and the DAL Foundation Food Pantry as well as youth programming via the Cleveland Scholastic Chess program and the Thurgood Marshall Speech and Debate contest. Cleveland’s signature social events hosted by Delta Alpha Lambda include our Alpha Summer Boat Ride, the Black and Gold Derby, and our Ice Cold Kick Back celebration with each raising funds to support our continued community efforts.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter strives to continue to be a beacon of light for our communities in advocacy, service, programming, academics, and leadership. As we celebrate our diamond 75th anniversary, all of our success and accomplishments have been made possible because of our community partners and supporters that believe in our mission and objectives.

Larry Hines Founder’s Award

Michael Nelson

Michael Leroy Nelson, Sr., is a Judge on the Cleveland Municipal Court. His road to the bench began at an early age, when he lost his biological father to violence on the mean streets of Cleveland. Michael’s mom subsequently remarried and she along with his stepfather Osa Reid and grandmother, Marie Graham instilled in Michael and his brothers and sister a sense of community.

Michael attended high school in both the United States and Canada, graduating from the renowned Cleveland Glenville High School. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1972 from Central State University. While at Central State, Michael’s organizational skills were first displayed when he recruited students to travel to Cleveland to work in the historic campaign of Carl B. Stokes to become the first African American to be elected Mayor of a major American city.

Upon graduation, Michael joined the Cleveland Public School System as an elementary school teacher. Dissatisfied with the discriminatory treatment of Black teachers during the early days of court ordered school desegregation of Cleveland schools, Michael organized Black teachers and founded the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). After successfully protecting the jobs of Black teachers, Michael secured a Department of Labor grant of $500,000.00 to establish the ACT Alternative School focusing on computer science.

In 1986, Michael enrolled in the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Michael graduated in 1989 and entered the private practice of law in 1990. Michael has been fortunate to serve a broad range of clients including the State of Ohio, the Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Housing Authority, the City of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Port Authority, the Cleveland NAACP and many other private and public entities as well as a host of individuals in civil and criminal matters.

Michael is married to the former Donna Kelso, has four children, Michael Jr., Nichole, Ebony and Rayne, five grandchildren and a great grandson and is a member of the Grace Community Seventh Day Adventist Church, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and the National Negro Golf Association.

Congressional Recognition

Presented to

100 Black Men of Greater cleveland

100 Black Men in Black ties

“Celebrations infuse life with passion and purpose. They summon the human spirit.” – Terrence E. Deal

On behalf of all who reside in the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, I am pleased to acknowledge the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland

It is my pleasure to congratulate you on the hard work you have done through your organization for the community. For more than 24 years, the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland have promoted economic empowerment, scholarship, and mentorship programs for black youth. Your motto, “What They See is What They’ll Be,” is invaluable for our young black men. It speaks to the necessity of consistently modeling the appropriate persons for our youth to emulate. I congratulate you again on your efforts to mentor, educate and empower young black men while preparing them for their future.

On behalf of Ohio’s Eleventh Congressional District, we wish the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland continued success! May God bless and keep you.

Best Regards,

Shontel M. Brown

Member of Congress

100 Black Men in Black Ties Scolarship and Awards Gala

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group are proud to support the 100 Black Men in Black Ties Scholarship and Awards Gala. We applaud the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. for their commitment to preparing today's youth to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Very Special Thank You

To these very special people who helped to make the 100 Black Men in Black Ties Scholarship and Awards Gala a success!

100 Black Men in Black Ties Scholarship & Awards Gala Committee Leadership

Lee V. Fields,Jr., Chairman of the Board

Gregory Lockhart - Vice Chairman of the Board

Lucien Blackwell -Director of Finance

Bob Ivory, Gala Chairman

Edwin Hubbard, Jr., Gala Co-Chairman

Darren Huggins, Gala Co-Chairaman

Vicki Dansby, Imagine That . . . Gala Consultant

Committee

Grady Burrows Barbara Cooper Brandon Curry

Darian Johnson Retanio Rucker James W. Wade III

Partners

Saint Luke’s Foundation - Platinum Sponsor AKA Team - Gold Sponsor

Coleman Spohn - Silver Sponsor PNC - Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

Erie Bank Ohio Savings Bank RPM, International

Table

NEORSD Ozanne Construction Step Forward

Supporters

Barry Bennett

Cle Consulting

Cleveland Alpha House Cleveland CAVS Cleveland Foundation

E.F. Boyd and Son Federal Reserve Bank

First Federal Lakewood Donna Flynt Friendly Inn George Golden Al Grimes

Harvest of Ohio

The Hines Family Huntington Bank Bob Ivory

The Jabali Development Group Judge Michael L. Nelson, Sr. Premier Bank

Premier Barber Studio Presidents Council Step Forward Students of Promise Dr. Robert Solomon

Hosts & Hostesses

Linda Briggs

Remmie Crawford

Pat Dorroh

Carol Farris

Andrea Freeman Andrew Greer

Sabrina Humphries

Linda Jordan Zoni Madison

Linda Sanders

Beverly Suber Mark Williams

Students and Mentees

Elijah Algee

Kalaya Arrington

Curtis Bishop Davi Custodio

Amyis Glover Arrin Hall

Elroy Hall

Ta’Nya Lane Nigel Maden Nia McDuffie Miko Troupe

And Especially . . .

Mayor Justin Bibb

Bijou Star Harry Boomer Call & Post

Tracie Clark

19 News CSA Alumni Ensemble

Wayne Dawson

Randy Diamond

Rick Diamond

Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Kenn Dowell

Forecast

FOX 8 Frederick Burton Design, LLC Fresh Tuesdays Productions Danita Harris

Michael Head

Jos A. Banks

InterContinental Hotel Cleveland Erwashundah Jacobs Jahad Fruits

Lo-Key Entertainment News5

Nu Urban Productions Pretti Parties

SRM Awards

Stan Savage Roshonda Smith

Tri-Pete Productions

TV20

United Black Fund Video Services Productions WKYC-TV