By Dianne Anderson

Black boys and teens may not get what they need in traditional school settings, but when they fall short they can count on some of the most powerful men in Long Beach to come to their rescue.

Many of the 100 Black Men of Long Beach are attorneys, teachers, medical professionals and businessmen, and are answering the call for mentoring at all hours of the week. They also dig deep in their pockets to get the kids through college and careers, with many of their boys tracking from elementary school.

One of their students who started at eight years old, needed some extra help when he headed off to college, but his family fell $8,000 short on funds. “The 100” brothers chipped in to handle the finances, and also recently landed him an internship in Washington DC.

Now he wants to be a psychiatrist and go after his law degree.

“Yesterday, we were in contact with one of our HBCU students, who finished the program and is now in the final stretch to get his degree from Howard University. We supported him with over $5,000 a year, about $30,000 in scholarships that our organization was able to provide for him,” said Dr. Lance Robert, president of the 100 Black Men of Long Beach.

On April 5, the organization hosts its annual fundraiser and is calling on the community to support their HBCU Celebration with the LA Clippers Game at special prices to attend. Their goal is to raise $5,000 to cover college costs.

Last year, the organization gave away $21,000 in scholarships.

Robert said they continue reaching the boys with tools to understand money management in their Closing the Wealth Gap series. Their Moot Court program is ongoing, revisiting appeals of familiar legal concepts presented through fictionalized cases. With that, students learn more about their rights and the law through lead author Robert Perry, who is also an attorney with the program.

On the third Saturday of each month, the program meets at CSULB campus where the boys experience a collegiate environment that feels like home. In 2022, the local 100 BMLB took home the Chapter of the Year award at the 36th Annual Conference in Hollywood Florida for their successful Saturday Academy.

But, probably the most important aspect for the boys and teens is just seeing Black men working their day-to-day lives in prominent positions and what it takes to achieve success. Their focus is on how to overcome adversity when, not if, it comes.

The young men learn about health, wellness, education, mentoring and economic empowerment through their Model Four for the Future programming, serving boys 8-18 years.

Nationwide, “The100” program model has helped thousands of students graduate from universities and into professional careers. Since the program started in 2008, their high-ranking mentors, all professionals in business, medicine and law, turn out for Saturday Academy where students learn everything about how to survive the rigors of life.

Jeremiah Stephens, another of the local program’s many star students, has been with the program since elementary school. He graduated high school two years ago with a scholarship from “the 100,” and today is Associated Student Government President at Los Angeles Southwest College, pursuing Journalism.

When the time comes, he wants to transfer to USC film school, and is also hoping for Howard University.

Stephens, 20, said that being in “the 100” and around their successful mentors has influenced his decision-making. He was always interested in media and performing arts, but the group allowed him creative latitude and opened his curiosity for other avenues of social action.

“Whether we did mock trials where I got to put myself in a position of a lawyer and read cases, and work on them, or to give a voice that normally I wouldn’t have – it’s just to be able to write them out on paper and let our voice be heard,” he said.

And, his personal voice also ranges to the other side of his creative outlet, hitting highs and lows singing in a quartet.

“They gave the platform to sing before events. One thing I remember is connecting with another mentor, they had performed before an event in the debut of our first quartet with the entire group. It was an amazing experience,” he said.

Teamwork in groups was a big part of his personal development, and the experiences held many teachable moments. Program mentors always encouraged them to ask for help when needed, and cultivate effective communication strategies. He said it carried over from his childhood mentoring to where he is now in his academic journey.

“I am a visual and hands-on learner, to be in that space to fully learn with my own specific learning method was very helpful. It transformed through high school, and now in college and being able to use all that on a daily basis,” he said.

Up to his next rung of the academic ladder, he’s already working on a few of his other goals, including becoming a certified life coach, a professional speaker and author, and a production company.

“I also got to be a part of the good brotherhood, and support system that inspired and encouraged us to go for our dreams,” he said.

To learn more, see  https://www.100blackmenlbc.com/

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