WHEREAS, In 1991, the international office of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., approved a charter for 100 Black Men of Philadelphia, Inc., (100 BMP) as a member of the non-profit organization after chapter founder Roland Jarvis saw a local need and spearheaded the effort. Jarvis found 25 other men who shared his vision and mission and they decided to make a difference. 100 BMP developed programs that fit with the international office mission, known as Four for the Future: mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic development; and
WHEREAS, 100 BMP focused on mentoring but also developed "Christmas in April" and a golfing program. The activities gave inner-city young men an opportunity to broaden their horizons aided by men eager to share their skills and time; and
WHEREAS, Michael Young succeeded Jarvis as president and emphasized recruiting to help the local chapter continue its growth. In 2003, Ken Lassiter took the helm and developed fundraising concepts unique to his style and approach. Lassiter also created a chess program and a Philadelphia Eagles bowling fundraiser; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, the late John Walker and 25 others revived the then-dormant Philadelphia chapter with the approval of the international body. 100 BMP returned to action with a different approach but the same message: help our youth in the City of Brotherly Love; and
WHEREAS, The chapter received a new charter from international headquarters at the organization's 2008 conference in Orlando, Florida. Newly elected chapter President Fredrick L. Whiten and other dedicated chapter members wasted no time in developing new ideas, strategies, and programs. They aligned themselves with other local organizations, realizing that the problems of gun violence, crime, and children leaving school could not be handled by 100 BMP alone; and
WHEREAS, The re-energized chapter started the Minority Entrepreneur Apprentice Program (MEAP) to train young people in the real estate field, and re-ignited the very important Chess Club Mentoring Program; and
WHEREAS, A new initiative, the African American History Challenge Team, finished second in its maiden voyage at the organization's 2012 AAHC international competition; and
WHEREAS, 100 BMP, through its community efforts, mentoring programs, corporate and community partnerships, now stands as a mainstay within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Its activities breathe life into its motto:
What They See Is What They'll Be.
By doing so, 100 BMP continues to help the City of Philadelphia develop civic-minded and positive men; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor, recognize, and commend
100 Black Men of America, Inc. - Philadelphia Chapter for its extraordinary service focused on mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic development.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to 100 Black Men of America, Inc. - Philadelphia Chapter as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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