100 Black Men of Birmingham is a self-funded voluntary organisation providing mentoring services primarily to young people of African-Caribbean descent. We believe that investment in our youth is critical to the development of the whole community. “What they see is what they’ll be” and the members and friends of 100 Black Men try to set an inspirational example for young people and to motivate them to fulfil the potential they have.
We were founded in December 1997 as the first international chapter of 100 Black Men of America and since then we have helped to found another chapter in England 100 Black Men of London. In addition to the two chapters in England, there are 97 chapters in America and four other international chapters together with over 10,000 members.
We run a monthly community programme at the Drum in Aston, Birmingham for young people of African-Caribbean descent on the last Sunday of each month between 11am-1pm. The programme comprises interactive learning skills programmes, motivational speakers, role plays and personal development guidance. The age range is 10-16 though we do take some younger and some older people.
We also run a structured highly acclaimed mentoring programme in various schools in Birmingham and West Midlands covering diverse subjects such as peer relationships, career development and family roles. These take place in one hour sessions and are delivered to African-Caribbean boys in recognition of the peculiar challenges facing this particular group in the education system. Some of the schools we have delivered mentoring services to include Perry Beeches, Great Barr, St John Wall, Handsworth and Warley High, Oldbury. These schools and others approach 100 Black Men after hearing about the work we do. All our work in this area is based on referrals.
In addition to the mentoring programme, 100 Black Men takes part in the following activities:
- One-off mentoring sessions in schools across the West Midlands
- Careers fairs organised by Birmingham and Solihull Connexions
- Motivational talks
- One to One mentoring with young people
- Annual Father’s Day Event
- Self-organised sponsored walk for education at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
Out of the experience of delivering our mentoring programme in schools and the hosting of the community programme, 100 Black Men has recently developed The Leadership Academy (TLA). The purpose of TLA is to identify, support and develop young people with great potential for leadership. To assist in their personal development and to encourage them in turn to give something back to the community. TLA is drawn from young people who progress through our community programme or who express an interest in taking part. They may be doing academically well or have shown the potential to set a good example for their peers.
Members of the TLA assist with the running and development of the Community Programme and in 2005 they are closely involved in the organisation and promotion of a one day youth conference on November 5 about going into business and entrepreneurship. This will be the second conference event planned by TLA with the assistance of 100 Black Men, following on from the TLA organised successful youth luncheon for over 200 young people at the Holiday Inn hotel in Birmingham in 2003. The theme of that event was social etiquette with an aim of educating young people to embrace and not be intimidated by certain social formalities. At our last fundraising gala at the ICC, members of TLA wrote, performed in and produced a 30minute showcase of their various talents including music, drama and improvisation.
For more information about the work of 100 you can contact us on 0121 523 6100.
