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100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. and its parent organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., are using National Mentoring Month to challenge more African-American men to make a difference in the lives of disenfranchised youth by becoming mentors. Mentoring is a proven youth development strategy that has positive impact when the adult-youth relationship is consistent and sustained. National Mentoring Month was launched by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR in 2002 to raise mentoring awareness and increase volunteerism. On Dec. 22, 2010, President Barack Obama proclaimed January 2011 as National Mentoring Month.

The deteriorating condition of youth in black communities, particularly males, has been documented by numerous studies. According to 100 Black Men of America Chairman Albert E. Dotson, Jr., “This deteriorating condition has reached a state of crisis requiring immediate attention and multiple points of intervention by caring adults who recognize that mentoring is a critical component of the solution.”

A study by the Schott Foundation for Public Education indicates that only 47 percent of Black males graduate from high school in the United States. The 100 has been engaged in innovative mentoring programs with measurable results to help improve this unacceptable statistic. “Mentoring the 100 Way Across A Lifetime^®, our signature program, has demonstrated that reading levels advance, behavioral issues diminish, graduation rates significantly improve, and the opportunity gap is drastically narrowed when our members and friends commit themselves to sustaining their mentoring activities within the communities they serve,” Dotson said.

Among the special activities 100 Black Men of Syracuse is planning during National Mentoring Month is a book reading program for students enrolled at Percy Hughes School, as well as trips for mentees to a Syracuse University basketball game and a local showing of the film “Red Tails,” featuring a story about the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Through 100 Black Men of Syracuse and a network of more than 100 chapters, the 100 provides mentoring services primarily to disenfranchised students enrolled in K-12 public schools and post-secondary institutions to help them graduate and reach their full potential. “We have achieved success through our Mentoring the 100 Way Across A Lifetime^® programs that emphasize excellence in education, health & wellness, economic empowerment, and leadership. But many more mentors and role models are needed in African-American communities,” said 100 Black Men of Syracuse President Vincent Love and Howard Rasheed, vice chairman of programs for 100 Black Men of America.

	Drake Harrison, Walter Eiland and Vincent Love, from left, accept one of the Community Service awards presented at the South Side Tree Lighting Ceremony.

100 Black Men of Syracuse was among the 10 organizations and individuals recognized Dec. 5 with a Community Service Award presented during the 14th annual South Side Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The award recipients, who were acknowledged during an hour-long  program inside Beauchamp Branch Library, were honored for their outstanding community service.

Also honored during the ceremony with a Comunity Service Award was 100 Black Men of Syracuse member Sam Rowser for his work as program director at On Point for College.

The South Side Tree Lighting Ceremony was held in conjunction with the Charles Dozier III Memorial Scholarship Award.