Initiatives

New program by 100 Black Men kicks off at Belmont
100 Black Men begin again to change the lives of youth and families

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee will hold the kickoff celebration for its newest initiative, 100 KINGS, on Saturday, April 12, 2003, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Belmont University. The event will induct 100 area 5th grade students into a new program to provide social, personal, academic enrichment and college preparation to each student for the next seven years.

Since 1991, 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee (The 100) has been transforming at-risk Black boys into community contributors.

Through “The 007” and “100 Scholars—two successful programs that began in 1991 and 1998, respectively—The 100 has proven its commitment to long-term youth development in Middle Tennessee.

In calculating the next opportunity, The 100 has created 100 KINGS; a seven-year comprehensive youth development program and community-wide partnership that will help 100 specially selected at-risk boys succeed in college. Students will be captured during their most critical years of development…at age 11 (5th grade), and will be trained through age 18 (12th grade) to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and network necessary for lifelong success.

“We are overwhelmed with excitement about the direction and possibilities of this program,” states 100 KINGS Program Committee Chairman, Derek Young. “The 100 has a great history of taking the longitudinal approach to youth development. This program continues in that tradition and takes the notion to another level.”

Personally endorsed by Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell and Director of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Dr. Pedro Garcia, 100 KINGS was developed through research by The 100 that found that youth who participate in long-term, year-round, high-quality enrichment programs have better peer relationships, better conflict resolution skills, better academic performance and better conduct. Realizing this, The 100 set out to create a program by which these findings may be developed and embedded into students over a long period of time while receiving reinforcement from school and the home.

“Metro Schools is delighted to expand our partnership with The 100,” states Dr. Garcia. “The 100 KINGS initiative will provide students with the tools they need to become successful adults and productive citizens.”

A unique network of community partners have committed to the students’ total development over the next seven years. Each organization will offer their specialty as part of the training curriculum. 100 KINGS partners include Metro Nashville Middle School, The Learning Lab, Cheekwood Art Museum, Nashville Symphony, Hands On Nashville, The Downtown Public Library, Senior Citizens, Inc., The Robert W. Baird Company, Kids On the Block, and Belmont University, who will host year-round training sessions, conduct program analysis and reporting, and help increase the students’ expectation for attending college.

“Students in the 100 KINGS program will be in a position to take the world by storm,” says Darrell Freeman, Board Chair of The 100. “What we are providing these students will offer an opportunity to change not only the course of their lives, but also the lives of their families, their peers and their community.”

“At Belmont, we believe that everyone is created with gifts and talents,” adds Belmont University President Dr. Robert Fisher. “We are honored to share in the development of these gift and talents with The 100, and in this kickoff of a new beginning in the support of our youth.”

In addition to the boys, The 100 and its members, Mayor Purcell, Dr. Fisher and other Belmont staff, Dr. Garcia, and other city and state leaders will also attend the kickoff.

The 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to nurture and enhance the growth, development and opportunities for young black males of Middle Tennessee.” The organization strives to improve the quality of life for youth by serving as mentors, tutors and role models dedicated to encouraging young men to reach their highest potential through academic excellence and career and leadership development. For more information about the 100 Black Men, please visit the website at www.100blkmentn.org or call 615/248.2721.