The Rotary Club of Akron had the opportunity to learn more about the organization 100 Black Men of Akron and its National organization, 100 Black Men during our Tuesday, November 30, 2021, Club meeting.
What is the 100 Black Men?
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. Since the inception, the vision has materialized to be shared by more than 10,000 members reaching over 125,000 underserved, underrepresented minority youth annually.
Their motto, “What They See Is What They’ll Be” very succinctly expresses how their programmatic services rendered to disadvantaged, disenfranchised and low-income youth and families positively change their life trajectory.
What is the mission of the organization?
The 100 Black Men of Akron, Inc. mission is “to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.”
What is their value statement of the organization?
“The 100 Black Men of Akron, Inc. is committed to the intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African American community based on the following percepts: respect for family, spirituality, justice, and integrity.”
What is vision statement of the organization?
“The 100 Black Men of Akron, Inc. 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.”
How does the Akron Chapter operate?
Through the National organization’s expansion of 100 Black Men chapters, each chapter delivers unique programs that address specific needs in local communities. Through 57 years of testing, the National organization 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.
The Akron chapter focuses their energies on:
- Mentoring Youth
- Health and Wellness
- Economic Development
The Akron chapter works with youth from the 4th grade through high school.
While the Akron chapter is small, approximately 33 members, they are always looking for interested individuals. Membership is not exclusive to Black men. What membership entails is a commitment to be a part of the organization, participate in a minimum of training in how to be a good mentor and be able to understand the youth culture they will be mentoring.
Collaboration is a key component of the local chapter. There is a strong collaboration with the Akron Public Schools, the Akron Municipal Court, the City of Akron, and the University of Akron.
An example of one of organization’s collaborative efforts is the COMPASS program under Judge David Hamilton. In November 2020, Judge David Hamilton launched the court-sponsored program entitled Compassion, Opportunity, Mentoring, Purpose, Assistance, Survival, Stepping Forward (COMPASS).
COMPASS has been created for males aged from 18 to 26 who are high risk to reoffend and will provide an alternative to jail. The target demographic will have a traumatic family history (including family members who also have a criminal history), a history of dealing with trauma/mental illness, a housing issue such as homelessness, a lack of work/underemployment and a lengthy criminal record.
100 Black Men – Akron assists with mentoring individuals referred to this program, assists participants in attaining their GED, acquire health insurance, etc.
To learn more about COMPASS, go to: akronmunicipalcourt.org/programs/compass.
Yours in Service -
Terry Dalton
RC of Akron Secretary & Scholarship Chair
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