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The Health and Wellness Committee of 100 Black Men of Syracuse has as its goal and vision: “The Renewing of the Mental, Physical and Spiritual Health of our Community”.  The committee will accomplish this goal with a collaborative effort, engaging other groups in the community, to deliver this important goal. For example,

The Palace Theater, 2384 James Street, was the setting for a special screening of African-American filmmaker Byron Hurt’s “Hip-Hop:  Beyond Beats & Rhymes”, on December 10, 2008. 100 Black Men of Syracuse Interest Group and Vera House joined forces to present the film, which was a part of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series “Independent Lens”.  The documentary film is a riveting examination of manhood in hip-hop culture highlighting masculinity, sexism and homophobia.  This special screening of the documentary film was a part of an ongoing project between 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc.’s Health & Wellness Committee and Vera House (a women’s shelter in Syracuse which houses abused women).  The purpose was to educate a core group of men about domestic violence who would then serve as mentors to other men concerning the roots and repercussions of domestic violence in the Syracuse community.  More than 75 people attended the event, which also featured a panel discussion.  The film was preceded by a four week lecture series which Jerome Hall, an Independent Living Skills Coordinator for the New York State Office of Children & Family Services, conducted.

The lectures included such topics as: “Understanding Domestic Violence”, “The Effects of Domestic Violence on Family, Children and the Community”, “Men’s Role in Preventing Domestic Violence”, and “A Woman Voice:  A Woman talks, from her perspective, about Domestic Violence”.  In addition, the core group of men watched the film: “I Am A Man: Black Masculinity in America”.  Subsequently, during Black History Month, 100 Black Men of Syracuse Interest Group in collaboration with Onondaga Community College’s Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program & The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, sponsored the film again with the topic being:  “Hip-Hop and its Effect on Culture” which was also followed by a panel discussion.  More than eighty students attended and participated in the discussion following the film.  The Health & Wellness Committee of 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. also collaborated with the Syracuse Black Nurses Association to sponsor “ The Winston Gaskin Community Walk for Wellness” and “The Dr. Henry A. Washington Health Pavilion” as part of the 2009 Juneteenth Celebrations held June 11-13, 2009.  More than 40 community groups and agencies were invited to participate in the walk.  In “The Dr. Henry A. Washington Health Pavilion, various health agencies and groups will perform screenings for such health concerns as Diabetes, Prostate Cancer, and high blood pressure, cholesterol, Kidney disease, and Heart disease, among others.

On September 26, 2009, 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. was part of the Syracuse University College of Human Ecology ‘s Department of Health and Wellness’ Men’s Health Seminar “Take Charge of Your Health: Seminar Series IV”. The seminar, held at the Greater Evangelical Church of God in Christ, focused on Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Management and Care, and Diabetes Resources in the Community.  Dr. Roberto Izquierdo, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and Associate Director, Joslin Diabetes Center at SUNY Upstate Medical University, was the seminar presenter.  Charles Anderson, Chairperson of 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc’s Health and Wellness Committee served as seminar facilitator.  Betty Brown, a Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Luvenia  Cowart, both of the Genesis Health  Project organized the seminar.

On October 17, 2009, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Vera House, Inc. and 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. presented a seminar entitled: “Promoting Healthy Relationships in the African American Community at the Bellegrove Missionary Baptist Chuch from 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  The workshop sought to promote healthy relationships in the African American community by changing the response to abusive and disrespectful behavior. This leadership training program’s purpose was to motivate individuals to play a central role in solving problems that historically have been considered “women’s issues” –sexual assault, dating violence, and sexual harassment..  Utilizing a unique bystander approach to prevention, the seminar explored what it means to be a ‘Leader’ and an ‘Empowered Bystander’ followed by 5 content modules: gender roles, types of abuse, alcohol and consent, sexual harassment, and homophobia.

Our future collaborations will include working with Planned Parenthood’s new project: “Real Life. Real Talk.”  It is designed to encourage a healthy dialogue about sexuality among parents, teens, families, and communities.  It is a creative initiative that works towards social change through a broad coalition of community organizations, faith communities, doctors, and educators.  100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc.’s Health & Wellness Committee believes this is an important partnership because “despite our high standard of living, American teens still have the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and abortion in the most developed countries in the world”, states Crystal Collette, Coordinator of the Syracuse Real Life.  Real Talk. Project.  Because of our “Manhood Training Program and our “Mentoring Program”, this is an important collaborative effort. We like the emphasis on “Sex Ed for Parents:  A Glimpse into Teen Romance, Sex and Friendships in the 21st Century”. Additionally, Health and Wellness Committee will collaborate with 2010 Juneteenth Committee to sponsor again “The Winston Gaskin Community Walk for Wellness” and  also in cooperation with local doctors and other health care professionals to present a series of Health and Wellness Seminars on topics relevant to the health of the African American Community, leading up to the walk.

Finally, we foresee a collaborative effort also with P.E.A.C.E. Inc. with their “Healthy Relationships” Programs.  This is important because as a part of the Health & Wellness Committee’s goal on envisioning a community that is mentally, physical and spiritually renewed, our young teens need guidance and skills on how to foster healthy committed relationships, skills to be better listeners, and skills to resolve arguments, etc.  A part of our vision is to have a lecture series for men in which we bring in our health professionals of Color to present the major health crisis that men are facing in the 21st Century, and to get our membership moving and intellectually stimulated.