Conference Edition

REAL MEN Magazine

The mentees from Cleveland performed exceptionally well at the 37th National Conference held in Las Vegas.

REAL MENGIVING

MENTORING THE 100 WAY ACROSS

REAL TIME

ABOUT US

The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is recognized as the nation’s top African American led mentoring organization. Every African-American person should have the ability to create the life they’ve always wanted and that’s what The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. provides.

Committing ourselves to personify the type of people our children will look up to and emulate, we embrace the immense responsibility we have to our mentees and our communities. Providing these children another choice in life by being around likeminded individuals who have similar aspirations and goals.

As we have grown The Network of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. more companies and programs have been formed to assist in delivering the education and empowerment needed to change the course of these children’s lives. This is done through the 100’s Four For The Future focus areas; Mentoring, Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Empowerment.

Through the expansion, we’ve created 100 Black Men Chapters that delivers unique programs that address specific needs in local communities. Through 57 years of testing, we’ve created the 100’s successful model. A proven blueprint for mentoring and developing young people into future leaders by surrounding themselves with a positive network and giving them the opportunity that they may not have thought was possible.

ACROSS A LIFETIME

Our ongoing commitment to continuously improve and implement our programmatic initiatives is what drives us. Helping shape our mentees realize their potential by showing them how to be successful and significant, stressing the importance of obtaining and applying education, and providing them the tools that empower them for self-sufficiency, cultivated civic, and business leadership

The overall concept of “The 100” began in 1963 in New York City when a group of concerned African American men began to meet to explore ways of improving conditions in their community. These visionaries included businessmen and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson. On October 2, 1986, representatives from 100 Black Men Chapters converged in Washington, DC, for a final meeting to establish a national organization. During previous meetings, they determined the structure, governance and model that would provide the most effective physical and financial resources to support the communities and Chapters. At the final gathering, the organization’s name – 100 Black Men of America, Inc. – was unveiled and attendees elected four accomplished, professional men from within their ranks to serve as its first and founding officers.

Each of the four were selected based on their demonstrated commitment to give back in a holistic way that addressed the educational, social, emotional, and cultural needs of youth in their own communities. They put their hands to the plow and did the hard work necessary to establish a foundation for a network of Chapters in their infancy, which today is an international nonprofit organization that positively impacts more than 125,000 youth across the United States and abroad. Throughout our history, the leadership of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. has been impeccable. The men chosen as national leaders all have contributed to the growth and strength of the organization. Their unique contributions have helped The 100 to become one of the premiere mentoring organizations anywhere. Consider the impact each leader has made. On May 27, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, this newly formed mentoring organization held its first national conference and introduced itself to the nation. Noted speakers included the late Alex P. Haley and the late Honorable Maynard H. Jackson.

On May 27, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, this newly formed mentoring organization known as 100 Black Men of America, Inc., held its first national conference and introduced itself to the nation. Noted speakers included the late Alex P. Haley and the late Honorable Maynard H. Jackson.

BOARD

Lee V. Fields Jr. Chairman

Gregory Lockhart Vice Chairman

Brett Horton Esq Secretary

Lucien Blackwell Director of Finance

Anthony Peebles Director of Development

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rodney L. Brown

Grady Burrows

Brandon Curry

Edwin Hubbard Jr.

Darian Johnson

Tyson Mitchell, Esq

Dr. Ernest Smoot

James W. Wade III

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Director of Communications & Public Relations, James W. Wade III

Economic Empowerment

David L. Taylor - Chair

James Ferguson - Co Chair

Education

Grady Burrows - Chair

Health & Wellness

Marvin Ferguson - Chair

Mentoring

Darian Johnson, Chair

Dr. Ernest Smoot, Co Chair

Membership

Aqeel Seals - Chair

National Chairman Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.

Midwest District Representative James Duke

Thanks to Diamonds Men’s Store Sure our Mentees traveled to Las of America,Inc. 37th National Conference

Every organization eventually looks to spread its wings and expand further. The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.(BMOGC) leadership has been working diligently to secure funding for our programs and to build capacity. Thanks to an introduction by member Lamont Dodson to Randy Diamond of Diamond’s Men’s Store, the door was opened for the 100 to discuss a sponsorship-focused partnership to benefit their mentoring programs targeted at African American youth. Our 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.

These partnerships are mutually beneficial as they give the sponsor a way to give back to the community that has supported their business through a trusted collaborator, like the 100 BMOGC, Inc. What better to enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans? Mentoring is the essence of the Greater Cleveland 100. Through our signature mentoring programs, which are education, health & wellness, and leadership development, we aim to be Cleveland’s premier mentoring organization.

The Diamond brothers pledged an ongoing financial commitment through 2022, and in 2023, they are still committed to supporting the 100. Vice Chairman Greg Lockhart has been serving as the liaison for their organization and has done a fantastic job. The 100 BMOGC, Inc. is proud to partner with a company like Diamond’s Men’s Store. This longtime community member shares

common goals based on solid values, the enrichment of our youth, and opportunities for all. Our partners are at the forefront of every industry, solving challenges and assisting in finding new ways to help positively change the future of youth.

One such commitment Diamond’s made was to provide the mentees with outfits to wear at the 100 Black Men 37th Annual Conference in Las Vegas. The complete outfit included pants, a shirt, a tie, and a blue blazer.

The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. also would like to thank Alan Groedel, Founder, President, and CEO of Provide A Ride, for their financial contribution in supporting some of our mentees during the Las Vegas. It was an irreplaceable experience that our young men will cherish for a long time.

Operating in Ohio since 1989 with statewide coverage, Provide A Ride has a strong reputation within healthcare and non-emergency medical transportation communities. With over 30 years of experience providing transportation and managing transportation benefit programs, Provide A Ride is uniquely capable of delivering the highest quality services as safely and efficiently as possible at the highest potential value. The Cleveland Chapter thanks Mr. Groedel for his generous donation to the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. In addition, Provide A

& Provide A Ride for Making

Las Vegas for the 100 Black Men Conference

Ride owns and operates the largest fleet of privately owned vehicles in Ohio and has employees throughout the state. This capability to leverage asset-based transportation against brokered transportation yields the best results both in terms of service delivery as well as cost control.

Rick and Randy Diamond

The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Chapter provides various educational, informative, and uplifting programs for the whole family. Our programs teach leadership and development skills to assist our mentees and their families realize and maximize their full potential. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization.

The 100 Black Men of Greater Greater Cleveland Inc. is one of over 100 Chapters with our National Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Our chapter is part of an international fellowship of 10,000+ committed volunteers who have impacted the lives of over 110,000 youth through mentoring and other programs designed to improve their quality of life. Mentees benefit from educational enhancement programs and life skills training by organization members, community volunteers, and partners.

What They See Is What They’ll Be®”

It is more than a motto. It is a source of motivation for all members of our 100 Black Men chapter network. Additionally, our motto serves as a constant reminder that we must consistently commit ourselves to personifying the type of people our children will look up to and emulate. We fully embrace our immense responsibility for our mentees and communities.