The 100 Black Men of DeKalb, a chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, was established in 1991 as a non-profit organization to enrich the development of students enrolled in DeKalb County Schools. Believing that “What They See Is What They’ll Be”, the 100 Black Men of DeKalb opened its Leadership Academy in 1992 to provide Mentoring, Education, Health and Wellness, and Economic Development training to students enrolled in this program.
The Leadership Academy Academic Center is open to students in grades six through twelve attending DeKalb County schools and is housed inside McNair High School. All applicants who complete an application are scheduled for an interview to determine their need and desire to participate in the program. Both the students and parents have to abide by the policies and procedures set forth for participation in the program.
The Academy educational program has an enrollment of 130 student participants and focuses on providing a series of experiences to help nurture achievement, provide support, and enhance self-esteem.
Over the past seventeen years, more than 1,500 students have graduated from the Leadership Academy. And, 80% of the graduates have enrolled in Colleges, Universities, and Trade Schools. The success of the Leadership Academy, simply put, is attributed to a group of men living in DeKalb County from various professional backgrounds who believed that they could make a difference in the lives of students.
Always responding to the needs and desires of the students, the program is constantly expanding in substance and depth. The 2009-2010 program includes a science and technology component, an ambassador and international studies program, a leadership development component presented by the USA ROTC program; a tennis, health and fitness program with our USTA partners; career planning; toastmasters; etiquette; and entrepreneur education in the award-winning Gregory Levett entrepreneurship development “GLEAM” program.
In addition to academic programs the Leadership Academy supports the classroom activity with an exciting schedule of enrichment tours and quest presenters. The Academy also offers an enrichment program for parents, presenting seminars on topics that are designed to enhance parenting skills.
The Leadership academy also has several auxiliary programs designed to address other pressing issues in our student community, they include after-school tutoring, SAT preparation, computer training, Stay In School projects, gang violence, and career preparation seminars.
The men of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County are committed to providing personal and professional development of the students by enhancing their standard education, personal and professional skills. We are committed to our partners in education, social services and faith-based institutions in proving young people positive options to the many challenges they face in their development.
Greetings! I humbly inquired of a Mentorship initiative within my Dekalb community.
As opposed to opting for other alternatives i.e. peer counseling, seeking male familial support, yet I have become apprehensive due to the questionable integrity of whom I proposed to fulfill the roles of an “absentee father/role model”…which has deemed unacceptable.
Due to the current societal climate, I am beyond concern for my young man!
I admit that I may not have elected to expose him to admirable men that acquire “characteristics” as HIM…so I reached out to David Manual, and others from the community in which we grew up for further guidance!
I am NOT ashamed, just want to extend efforts and resolve that exceeds MY understanding to afford my Son, Jaedin Wright, of whom has been as a Barack Obama STEM (of stellar proportions), McNair Middle School arising 8th Grade Male student, an opportunity to excel and exceed beyond inadvertent barriers to become his ABSOLUTE BEST!
I appreciate any further insight regarding this initiative and future promise.
Sincerely, Shirvany Rucker-Wright