100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Real Men Magazine December 2023 Issue by 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc.

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FEATURES

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

COVER STORY page 26

SHINE Men’s Ministry COMING Page 18

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James W. Wade III Publisher & Editor 5

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THE REAL MEN

MAGAZINE PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR James W. Wade III MAGAZINE COMMITTEE Robert Bankston Brandon Curry Delaun Dillard Robert Dix Jr. Christopher Howse Retanio Rucker LAYOUT & DESIGN JW MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rodney L. Brown James W. Wade III Earl Williams CONTRIBUTERS

The Real Men Magazine is the official publication of The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. Chapter. Published monthly electronically, which means information is distributed utilizing a computer network or produced in a format for use with a computer. For any questions or feedback about the publication, contact us at info@100blackmencle.org www.100blackmencle.org

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EDITORS MESSAGE Deck the halls with boughs of holly Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, ‘Tis the season to be jolly those are the words to just one of many holiday songs everybody sings this time of year. Happy Holidays, everyone. May your season be a great one this year. Buying a bunch of gifts is only sometimes the right thing to do. Is it smart to be broke or paying on your credit cards for twelve months with that high interest. Saving money is something we should all learn how to do. But it is more complex than one would think. People try various ways to save money, yet what’s important is to do it regularly and make budgeting a habit. Do you sit down and work out a budget? We teach kids in our program this through our financial literacy game challenge we play with them. It is great to see the male and female kids get excited and try their best to be successful.Yes, you need to have some money in your bank accounts before you can start pumping money into the stock market, real estate, and mutual funds. Typically, for a client, I recommend that you have at least three months of expenses saved. It would help to have that little nest egg for yourself in case of an unexpected expense or emergency. What if the car breaks down? What if you need a new refrigerator? Where is that money going to come from? Credit? That’s what most people think, which is why many people are always in debt. It would help if you didn’t put yourself in a position where you must use credit cards to pay for things. Credit cards are great for emergencies when you are out in the middle of nowhere and need access to cash, but they are a bad habit if you need help to control yourself with them. I want to take the temptation away as much as possible by having you build a cash reserve. A cash reserve is like any other investment goal. It is priority number 1 for me. It precedes every additional investment you will undertake, and building a cash reserve is easy. If you already have a positive cash flow, you have a reserve unless you go out and buy something fun when you see it, then have a bit of money in your account. You will want to maintain a three-month reserve if you have a positive cash flow. Keep saving your excess money until you get there. Now that you have learned how to manage your money and have built a suitable cash reserve, you are ready to start with other goals -- retirement, college, vacations, or any other goal you may have. At this point, you are really in a position to speak with a professional financial advisor to have them take care of your investments. They spend their days learning all there is to know about investing, whereas you have your job, kids, and home projects to worry about.The best way to find an advisor is through someone else you trust. All advisors will give you a free consultation to see if they fit you right. If you decide to start investing independently, please spend significant time learning about your options and determining what is essential. You can take online finance classes to speed up your learning process. It isn’t all about the highest return mutual fund all the time; there are many other factors, such as spending time learning them and learning how taxes affect your investment. Be wise this season, and try to make some sound decisions! Happy Holidays James W. Wade III Editor 7

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REAL MENGIVING R

MENTORING THE 100 WAY ACRO

REAL TIME

OSS A LIFETIME

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. 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

he 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. 10

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100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Leadership Team BOARD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Lee V. Fields Jr. Chairman

Rodney L. Brown

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

Gregory Lockhart Vice Chairman Brett Horton Esq Secretary Lucien Blackwell Director of Finance Anthony Peebles Director of Development

Grady Burrows Brandon Curry Edwin Hubbard Jr. Darian Johnson Tyson Mitchell, Esq Dr. Ernest Smoot 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

Midwest District Representative Andre Givens

100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. 13815 Kinsman Road Cleveland, OH. 44120 (216) 354 - 0896 www.100blackmencle.org

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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. is happy to offer our scholarship program. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life within our communities and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans. The scholarship is aimed at high school seniors who are transitioning to college and planning to attend an institution for an entire academic year, beginning in the fall semester after high school graduation.

The eligibility criteria for the scholarship are as follows: High school senior transitioning to college Minimum grade point average of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) Planning to attend a two-year or four-year institution for an entire academic year beginning in the fall semester after high school graduation I encourage you to apply for this scholarship if you meet these criteria. It is an excellent opportunity to receive financial assistance and pursue your academic goals.

APPLY HERE 12

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Don’t Get The Holiday Blues By James W. Wade III The holidays can be very stressful for many individuals. Can you believe the thought of being unable to purchase gifts makes many sad? In this day and age, Mental Health and depression are standard for most people during the holidays. I am one of the people who have been blessed to be able to overcome the loss of both my parents. My father passed away and was buried right before Christmas, but instead of being sad, I sit and laugh at all the great memories I had with him. I could choose to be sad and sit around and be depressed about either one of my parents being alive, but I rejoice knowing they are in a better place.

irritable. Although increased use of alcohol or drugs can be a coping strategy for any person with depression, men may be more likely to use alcohol or drugs to help them cope. In some cases, mental health symptoms appear as physical problems. For example, a racing heart, tightened chest, ongoing headaches, or digestive issues. Men are often more likely to see a healthcare provider about these physical symptoms than their emotional ones. Because depression tends to make people think more negatively about themselves and the world, some people may also have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Depression can affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, but men can also be depressed. Because men may be less likely to recognize, talk about, and seek help for their feelings or emotional problems, they are at greater risk of depression symptoms being undiagnosed or undertreated.

I have no plans on harming myself or committing suicide, but I do realize what works for me may not be the same thing to help you. I overcame these holiday blues by thinking about the memories of my family and laughing until we cried. I also try my best not to get stressed about problems and issues. Stress can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. It’s essential to use stress management techniques like mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and relaxation to reduce the effects of stress on your body. If you feel anxious or overwhelmed by stress, a therapist or healthcare provider can help.

Depression can look different in men and women. Although men, women, and people of all genders can feel depressed, how they express those symptoms and the behaviors they use to cope with them may differ. For example, some men (as well as women) may show symptoms other than sadness, instead seeming angry or

Stay strong, and don’t get the holiday blues. 19

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

FITNESS AND SPORTS IS GOOD FOR YOU

greenways, and other green spaces where people can be physically active. Provide information about community programs that offer social support for physical activity, like group classes and buddy systems.

itness and sports are good for our physical health and improve the quality of our lives overall. Experts agree that even small amounts of physical activity can significantly affect a person’s physical and mental health. For example, it can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, blood pressure, and anxiety while improving sleep — among other health benefits.

Join professional initiatives, like the Moving Together Outside Campaignexternal icon, that raise awareness about how shared-use

People can access fitness facilities and activities in many different ways. For example, health clubs and YMCAs provide indoor spaces for those who prefer them or for use during bad weather. Parks and other outdoor areas provide space for both individual and group activities. For children and adolescents, youth sports and physical education can offer a variety of physical activities for every age and developmental level. Learning to enjoy physical activity at a young age can set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. Educate people about the benefits of safe physical activity and places to be active. Encourage people to meet the national physical activity guidelines and recommend ways to add more physical activity to their day. There are many ways to be physically active outside the gym— like gardening, walking, biking to the store, or doing household chores.

agreements and other creative solutions can give people more ways to be physically active. Want more proven ways to increase physical activity?

Provide information to promote regular physical activity’s physical and mental health benefits. This information is critical in settings or communities where people have trouble being physically active. Share the locations of parks, trails,

Active People, Healthy NationSM, has many strategies that work. Visit the website to find options that fit your needs. Look for ways to collaborate with other sectors. 22

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with professionals—like architects, planners, and developers—to design and build accessible fitness and sports facilities with equipment that people of all ages and abilities can use.

Promote the design of communities and use spaces that support safe and convenient ways for people to be physically active. Offer sports, walking groups, fitness classes, and programs in places accessible to public transportation or within walkable or bikeable distances of homes, worksites, businesses, parks, recreational facilities, and other places where people regularly gather.

Support transportation and land use policies and plans that create safe streets, sidewalks, and places to go that encourage physical activity. Promote equitable community programs and policies that make it safe and easy for people to walk, bike, or wheelchair roll and be physically active.

Ensure that sports programs are conducted in a way that is both fun and safe.

Offer inclusive programs for young people and adults that meet the community’s needs. Modify programs to address safety concerns, cultural preferences, costs, and the lack of opportunities for people with disabilities. Offer free or low-cost youth sports programs so families with financial barriers can participate. Provide social support for physical activity, such as buddy systems and walking, hiking, or bicycling groups.

Lead or join a walk audit with residents, including young people and people with mobility

Work closely with parks and recreation departments to promote the availability of safe, convenient, and well-designed parks, trails, and greenways. Encourage programs that promote physical activity in these spaces. Support the development and adoption of shared-use agreements or other mechanisms that broaden access to community spaces— such as parks, school fields, and playgrounds— for community members outside school hours. Promote policies that increase equitable access to physical education and youth sports programming in schools, parks, and other community settings. This month, let us all find ways to become more physically active daily. Walk in your favorite park, try a new fitness class, join a local gym, or volunteer at a community fitness event. Whatever physical activity you choose, fitness will lead to healthier lives.”

challenges. Audits should be done during the day and night to identify unsafe conditions. Use the audit results to suggest improvements to the local public works and transportation departments and elected officials. Join community coalitions and partnerships and share ways to help make your community more activity-friendly. Promote partnerships 23

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Do what

builds a better future. We are proud to support 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.

Dollar.Bank

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100 Black Men Teaches Financial Literacy to Students at Friendly Inn Settlement, Inc.

The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. has collaborated with The Friendly Inn Settlement, Inc. and presented a Financial Literacy Challenge to 30 children. The Save & Spend Challenge is an exciting game where you have a limited amount of money and lots of things to spend! Save and Spend Challenge tasks participants with building a budget for a character and then analyzing that character’s financial choices to discover how their saving, spending, and budgeting habits can affect their economic outcomes. Do you have what it takes to play Save and Spend Challenge? Mentoring is the cornerstone of what the 100 Black Men do with the youth.

Mentoring begins with the trust and ability to see everyone’s potential. Not every person starts at the same stage, but they all could positively impact society, which begins with the guidance of mentors. Across the United States and Internationally, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is changing the lives of tomorrow’s leaders through the 100’s signature programs: Mentoring 100 Way, Collegiate 100®, and 100 Black Men Chapters. Each of our programs delivers unique mentoring initiatives that help tap into deserving youth annually and change their lives. Mentoring provides support and positively impacts the lives of tomorrow’s leaders today. 28

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expenses. In other words, it’s an estimate of how much money you’ll make and spend over a certain period, such as a month or year. Or, if you’re accounting for the incoming and outgoing cash of everyone in your household, that’s a family budget. Then the game wheel spins with money dropping in for the savings you gain during the game; many things happen, like paydays, the car breaks down, and even if you are lucky, a bonus of some amount of money will pop in. You can lose money when you have to go to the emergency room for $2,000.00. You would have enjoyed seeing the kids get excited to try to play to win. The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. awarded winners first, second, and third place. The kids were happy to receive the prizes, but the winning group had bragging rights, telling everybody they won.

Today, it is crucial to teach everyone about Financial Literacy. Financial literacy is understanding and applying different financial skills effectively, including personal financial management, budgeting, and saving. Financial literacy makes individuals self-sufficient so that financial stability can be accomplished. According to the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission, everyone should know the five major principles of financial literacy. These principles are: earn, save and invest, protect, spend, and borrow. After a short overview of the game by 100 Black Men by member David Taylor, three team captains were picked, and then the teams were selected. Each room had ten children excited to pick out the avatar they wanted. Next, the teams had to choose the career for the avatar they picked; now, this is where the fun starts. You get your monthly net pay for your total expenses. The exciting part is that now you have to choose a savings goal to buy a dream vacation for 5,000, a new car for 15,000, a computer for 2,000, buy a house for 20,000, or save 10,000.00 for the future. Budgeting is tricky for many adults, including kids 8 to 14. They had to determine what they spent money on daily, weekly, and monthly. A budget is a spending plan based on income and 29

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SPECIAL FEATURE Berry, Berry Good! AARON EATMAN—100 BLACK MEN

Eating healthy does not necessarily have to sacrifice taste. By changing a few common items in the recipe, you can transform any mystery meat concoction into a marvelous masterpiece. In this monthly section, we will feature recipes that are not only filling but also are sure to satisfy even those finicky eaters.

As we close the winter months of eating comfort foods, it is time to spring into a new season of lighter meals. This month’s special feature recipe includes a fruitpacked dessert that combines fresh berries macerated in a sweet-tart mixture of balsamic vinegar and sugar. While it might seem odd as vinegar does not typically come to mind when you think about dessert, when macerated, fruit softens and releases its natural flavors, aromas, and adds a complex sweetness that is sure to fulfill you or your family’s sweet tooth when served over shortcake or vanilla ice cream. Active Time Inactive Time Servings

15 minutes 1 hour 8 servings

Ingredients  1 pint of strawberries, sliced  1 pint of raspberries  1 pint of blueberries  1 pint of blackberries (optional)  ½ a cup of good balsamic vinegar (I prefer Bertolli’s or Trader Joe’s Organic Balsamic Vinegar)  ¼ teaspoon of black pepper  2-3 tablespoons of sugar  Lemon zest  1 pre-packaged shortcake or angel-food cake  Whipped cream (optional; see bonus You will be “berry” fond of this dessert!

BONUS RECIPE: Homemade Whipped Cream

recipe)

Directions: 1. In a large bowl, place all of the berries. 2. Sprinkle the pepper, sugar, and lemon zest over the berry mixture. 3. Pour the balsamic vinegar over the berry mixture. Give a gentle toss with a rubber spatula to make sure the ingredients are combined. 4. Cover the bowl of berries with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Note: Do not keep refridgerator for longer than an hour as the berries will begin to get mushy. 5. After an hour, give another gentle toss to the berry mixture. Using a ladel, spoon the berry mixture over the shortcake. 6. Top the berry mixture and shortbread with either fresh whipped cream (see bonus recipe) or vanilla ice cream. Bon Appétit! -100BM *Editor’s Note: Good balsamic vinegar does not need to cost a lot of money. When looking for a good vinegar, you want to find one that is aged at least 5 years. Typically, you can find one like what was used here for less than $6. **Editor’s Note: This recipe can be adapted based on your dietary preferences, especially with regard to sugars. As you can see, this can be served over your preferred dessert or within a parfait. Whatever you choose, make sure that you ladel some of the sauce that is produced from the macerated berries as it will send your dessert over the top!

 Vanilla Ice Cream (optional)

Sometimes that container of Cool Whip does not do a dessert justice. Try this quick, homemade whipped cream recipe to take your dessert to the next level. 

1 cup of cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream



2 tablespoons of granulated or confectioners’ sugar



½ teaspoon of vanilla extract



1 tablespoon of lemon zest (optional)

Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract on, and optional lemon zest on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, about 3–4 minutes. Medium peaks are between soft/loose peaks and stiff peaks, and are the perfect consistency for topping on desserts. If you accidentally over-whip the cream, and it looks curdled and heavy, pour in a little bit more cold heavy cream, and fold it in gently by hand with a spatula until it smooths out. Use immediately or cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

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2023 Annual 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Toy Drive The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. is organizing our annual Toy Drive event in observance of the holidays. 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. As you may know, we serve and mentor the youth in Cleveland in some of the highest poverty-stricken areas. Since part of our mission is to improve the quality of life within our communities, we would like to bless the youth in Cleveland for the holidays with gifts that go out to each of the schools we serve in and beyond. For some, if not most of the youth, this will be the primary holiday support that they will receive. To help our youth this season, we need your support! We invite you to be a Co-Sponsor or Supporter of our Annual Toy Drive on Wednesday, December 13th, from 6-9 pm at the Medusa Restaurant & Lounge. As a leader/organization in the community, your involvement with us in the holiday toy drive is an opportunity for your organization to receive exposure, network, and, most importantly, help our Cleveland youth have an enjoyable holiday this season! Community sponsors are the primary funding source for this event and will help ensure its success. You can provide support in the following ways: Be a Co-Sponsor or Event Supporter through a monetary donation. Your company logo will be placed on materials to promote the event. You will also receive your own seating section at the Toy Drive. (Sponsorship levels are listed below.) Donate toys directly. Participate in our planning committee. Volunteer at the event. Provide information to patrons about your organization. Sponsorship levels: Platinum Sponsor $500.00 Gold Sponsor $250.00 Silver Sponsor $100.00 We look forward to hearing from you. For more information about this event, please get in touch with Michael Copeland @ michael@mycomcle.org or 615-686-1822. On behalf of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. and the Toy Drive Committee, we thank you for your support. Sincerely, The 100 Black Men Toy Drive Committee: 36

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SUPPORT OUR TOY DRIVE

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2023 Leadership Summit ELEVATING AND EMPOWERING MEMBERS, YOUTH, AND COMMUNITIES

December 14 - 16, 2023 Hyatt Regency Atlanta

SAVE THE DATE 39

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100 Black Men of America, Inc. Midwest District Regional Summit

SAVE THE DATE

March 8 - 10, 2023 JW Marriott Hotel 10 S West Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 40

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