100 Black Men of Greater South Bend

Freedman academy - as our flagship initiative, the freedman academy is targeted at african american males in grades 2 through 12. Members of the 100 work with students to improve their academic performance with a focus on literacy in math and reading. Our goal is to increase their success rate for graduating from high school through various workshops and curriculum that reinforces academics, attendance, and good behavior both in school and within the program. As an added component, our dedicated and caring mentors plant seeds of success by exposing students to events and activities that will help them develop and exercise positive social skills, etiquette, and mutual respect for others. The program runs parallel with the school year for 15 weeks, every 2nd and 4th saturday. This program is designed to support 35 students based upon current resources.

Leadership development - michiana diversity leadership initiative (mdli): step up to leadership programmdli is an endeavor to create effective community leaders. Through an interactive educational curriculum, the program is designed to train, motivate, and empower underrepresented populations to act as servant leaders in the community.outcomes include preparing participants to act as active and effective organization leaders, board members, and advocates for community initiatives. Our goal is to build a community that strengthens the economic, educational, and leadership development in michiana.mdli program is for participants (19-39 yrs. Old). The class begins each year in april. Registration begins in january. If you are interested, please contact us.the 100 Black Men are pleased to partner with the following organizations to deliver the program.beacon health systems, leadership South bend/mishawaka, Indiana university South Bend, ivy tech college, notre dame, st. joseph health system, bethel college, teachers credit unionmentoring - mentoring is the cornerstone of 100 Black Men of america, inc. (the 100) and its network of over 100 chapters. The social, cultural, emotional, and unique needs of youth, primarily african american males, are addressed through one-to-one and group mentoring relationships by 100 Black Men chapter members.committed to our cause, our members serve as positive role models, advocates, and trusted advisors to children and young adults in their local communities. The 100's signature mentoring program is an effective, evidenced-based and strategic intervention that helps youth reach their full potential and become contributing members of society. The miracles of mentoring impact over 125,000 lives annually and change communities.mentoring the 100 way across a lifetime, sustained mentor relationships of at least a school year and often over multiple years, can happen at all stages of a mentee's life, including college and beyond. The unique, innovative mentoring initiatives of our chapters are locally relevant and vary by affiliate. Our volunteer members are comprised of servant leaders and professionals from diverse sectors and backgrounds who truly believe in our motto, "what they see is what they'll be." As the lives of our mentees are transformed through our mentoring model, so are the lives of mentors who serve them.

Health and wellness - the federal centers for disease control publishes a wealth of information that can help parents raise healthy youths, both boys and girls. The following link is to one such websitehttpswwwcdcgovparentsindex... high blood pressure programafrican americans traditionally have higher incidences of preventable diseases than their white counterparts. The 100 health and wellness committee develops and implements programs designed to change these norms in an effort to eradicate healthcare disparities.in collaboration with memorial hospital of South Bend, this early detection program discovers and monitors hypertension among african american Men in st. joseph county. Currently, high blood pressure monitoring devices have been distributed to the following South Bend locations:al's house of style- 618 n. olive ave.wigfall's barbershop- 1311 w. Washington st.main event barbershop- 2718 s. Michigan st.cutrageous barbershop- 2912 w. sample st.the barbers have received training on the importance of early detection of hypertension. They encourage clients to take their blood pressure each time they visit. A listing of medical resources is provided for those clients who need assistance.

Economic development - the 100 South Bend chapter supports initiatives that address economic disparities in the african american community through programs designed to promote savings, personal financial stability, home ownership and entrepreneurshipinnovativethinkers camp(nurturing the economic pipeline)innovative-thinkers camp is a three year program. It includes a two-week youth camp during consecutive summers and other engagement opportunities throughout the year. Students are eligible following successful completion of their 6th grade year. Camp activities and enrichment opportunities are designed to cultivate innovative thinking and creative problem solving by helping students apply stem (science, technology, engineering, and math) solutions to their personal experiences. Program evaluations support the positive impact innovative-thinkers camp has on the lives of youth who participate.