100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale Leadership Academy begins new era at Nova Southeastern University
The 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale celebrates 11 years of serving South Florida’s Black male youth with plans of taking their mentoring organization to the next level.
By Charles Moseley
The names and faces of the young men may have changed since the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale began in 2003, but the mission of the mentoring organization remains the same – to help young Black males pursue their dreams while serving as positive role models and providing mentees with scholarships throughout their college careers.
With that in mind, the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale will begin its Leadership Academy mentoring sessions this Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 in a new location. Nova Southeastern University Huizenga School of Business will host the 2014 Leadership Academy on their Davie Campus in the Cal DeSantis Building, 3301 College Ave, Davie Fla. Each 12-week curriculum sessions take place each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
“The 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale joined forces with Nova Southeastern Wayne Huizenga School of Business to continue to emphasize the importance of education. Our young Mentees will now have an opportunity to experience the college environment and the various college opportunities. The goal is to get our Mentees interested in college education much earlier in their educational experience,” said Dennis Wright, president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Wright outlined the direction he would like to see the 100 headed in the immediate future, having a major impact on the socio-economic fabric of the local community.
“I see the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale playing an integral part of improving the economic fabric of our communities by improving educational and economic opportunities. I envision this organization strengthening the family unit by providing access to various programs that empowers the family and enabling their pathway to success.”
“Members of the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale all share the common goal of improving the economic status of our communities as well as providing programs that enhance and enrich lives through mentoring, education, economic development, and health and wellness. Members of this organization will positively influence lives by serving as positive role models,” added Wright.
In addition to being the new home of the Leadership Academy Nova Southeastern University along with Broward County Public Schools agreed last March during a joint press conference luncheon to partner with the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale to facilitate a mentoring management system which will enable all public school students to participate in a mentoring program.
Most notable among 100 BMOA, Inc., to address the luncheon included; Curley M. Dossman, Jr., Chairman, Michael A. Brown, president, and Dennis Wright, president, 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Robert Runcie, Broward County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Broward County School Board Member, and Dr. Preston Jones, Dean of the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business also addressed the luncheon respectfully.
Dr. Preston Jones Dean of H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business of Nova Southeastern University is a major reason why this project came together. Dr. Jones along with Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, were officially sworn in as the newest members of the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale during a luncheon which took place earlier this year in March.
“The young men that the 100 Black Men serve, the young boys – I was one of those young boys. The 100 Black Men weren’t around when I was a kid. And I had a number of men who helped raise me to who I am today. My mom raised five children by herself. Without the courage and the commitment, the love from within the community- the Scouts, Reverend W.H Thomas, my first scholarship to Purdue University I would not be where I am today. So the young men that we’re talking about today-I was one of them. I wanted to take this opportunity to give back,” said Dr. Jones.
Albert Tucker is the Vice president of Multi-Cultural Affairs at the Greater Fort Lauder-dale Convention and Visitors Bureau and a founding member of the local 100 and has been an active supporter of the organization for over a decade.
“I feel the organization should be supported because the Black male in America is one of the most misunderstood and persecuted groups in America and we have to ensure that we provide guidance and support to our young men. The Impact of the 100 has been powerful to those young men that have stayed the course and went on to college. Impact could be greater with more funding and more mentors,” said Tucker.
Parents with questions regarding the100 Leadership Academy or those interested in assisting the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale can visit their website at: www.100blackmengfl.org click on leadership academy or feel free to E-mail at: 100bmogfl@100blackmengfl.org or call (954) 519-002.
