Not only were there 100 Black Men celebrating 30 years of mentoring disadvantaged African American youth to improve their quality of life and educational opportunities, there were 100 Black women and several hundred others filling the ballroom at the Doubletree Hotel in Green Tree.
Among them was KDKA-TV reporter and anchor Lisa Washington Rushing, who served as the event’s emcee.
“I’m honored that they would even think of me to host this momentous event,” she said. “And I’m excited to help highlight the tremendous work they do making a strong impact in our community.”
First established in 1987, 100 Black Men of Western PA, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable institution dedicated to improving the lives of youth in at-risk communities in the Greater Pittsburgh area through mentorship. Its Mentorship Program helps prepare deserving youth, and specifically African American disadvantaged youth in the Greater Pittsburgh area, for post secondary education in their quest to become productive citizens in our society.
The annual gala is the organization’s largest fundraising event during the year, with all proceeds going to support the Mentorship Program.
The event included a reception and silent auction prior to the awards dinner that included honors presented to Aaron Walton and Tamika Williams, as well as for the Pittsburgh Chapter’s founding members Dr. Leon Haley, Dr. Herman Reid and Dr. Lonnie Hudspeth.
“It’s the answer to a dream come true. When we started we had no idea it would evolve into what it’s become,” he said.
“But like the man said, you never know how things will go until you start.”
Hudspeth echoed Reid’s remarks.
“I’m very proud, satisfied and fulfilled to have seen such great work done in the last 30 years,” he said. “What we did when we started was just a fraction of what you see today. So I am very honored to have been a part of it.”
Founding member Leon Haley said as great as the organization’s work has been, it must continue because the need continues.
“The motivation behind creating 100 Black Men still exists today,” he said. “The challenges faced by African American youth, the disparities in income and educational achievement are still there. So the work is needed today maybe even more than before.”
National Chairman of 100 Black Men Inc. Curley Dossman agreed, and assured everyone the work would continue and the organization would continue to grow.
“I have to extend my congratulations to this chapter for 30 years of service, it’s President Ronald Lawrence, and to these gentlemen—they are the people on whose shoulders I stand,” he said. Their initiative is now a movement with over 100 chapters around the country. I’m proud to be here to celebrate their 30 years of service.”
(J.L. Martello contributed to this story.)
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