Chairman's Message
The 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and its over 100 chapters, supports communities in the United Stated, the Caribbean, and England. For nearly 50 years, the 100 has served at the frontline, working with many youth who are considered to be at-risk, providing counter-cultural images of Black men worthy of emulation. Our organization believes that children become what they see; they learn to rationalize the world around them by adapting to their environment – whether that environment is positive or negative. Consequently, in our approach to mentoring, we strive to provide not only positive images to emulate, but positive environments in which children can grow and thrive.
As a mentoring organization with a successful model: Mentoring the 100 Way, members from the 100 are often called upon to share proven strategies, results from our various chapters, and serve as a subject matter experts on panels and strategy teams that focus on mentoring, education, children’s health disparities, conflict resolution, drug awareness and much more. The need is vast, multi-faceted and growing. Collaborations with initiatives like the one being led by Susan Taylor, Essence Cares, allows the 100 to maintain its leadership position as one of the preeminent organizations whose goal it is to mobilize adults to serve as mentors, and to make a difference in the life of a child.
Over the last few months we have been transitioning to a new leadership team. As we continue to transition, please excuse our progress (which is sometimes evidenced by construction on our evolving website). We are expanding to better serve the needs of the communities we serve. Thank you for your patience.
As Chairman of this great organization, I have seen hundreds of mentoring success stories and have had the great fortune of being a mentor. In a few month, we will come together to celebrate the work of our members and some of the success stories which are represented by the changed lives of the children in whose trust we are held. June 12-15, 2008, we will hold our 22nd annual conference in Orlando, Florida. I hope you will join us – this year’s theme is on Health and Wellness, there promises to be something for everyone! Each day, I am engaged in the work of the 100, each time I look into he hopeful eyes of a young child, I am reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who spoke so eloquently on the “fierce urgency of now.” Thank you for your continued support – together, we make a difference.
Sincerely,
Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Esq.