Dale: 100 Black Men Honors Mentorship, Education

By Dale Avery

President, 100 Black Men of Central Illinois

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I have spoken on numerous occasions about the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois. Many of you who will hear this message may have heard or know about the work we do in the Bloomington/Normal Community. For those of you that don’t know, we are a non-profit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life in the communities where we live. Our chapter accomplishes this by focusing our work and efforts around 4 key pillars – Mentoring, Education, Health and Wellness, and Economic Empowerment.

The Central Illinois Chapter is eleven years old and we are very proud of the successes in the community since our inception. We have mentored hundreds of kids, given away thousands of dollars in scholarships, hosted health forums and conducted events to enhance student and adult economic knowledge.

Second, along with (2015 Mentee of the Year Markus Brooks), we took two students teams from Bloomington/Normal to participate in the State Farm African American History Challenge and the Dollars and $ense programs. Our history team gave a great effort but was defeated in the first round by the team who won the championship. Our Dollars and $ense team won second place and only lost by a narrow half point margin. The African American History Challenge team included Christian Baker and Radiance Campbell and the Dollars and $ense team was made up of Alexys Ogorek and Stacie Harms, all from Normal Community High School.

Last of all, I was extremely blessed by being recognized with the Wimberly Award for Service. I am still in shock having been selected out of ten thousand plus members. As I said in my acceptance comments, I was granted this honor because of the gifts and strengths I received from our Heavenly Father, the morals instilled by my parents, the support of my wife and children, and fellow local chapter members that have carried out our vision.

100 Black Men of Central Illinois' annual Excellence Gala is August 26 -- tickets & information are available online, from members of the 100,  or at J-Bo's Handbags, 216 N. Center St., Bloomington.  Keynote speaker is Dr. Harold Davis, founder and CEO of TALKS mentoring program.

NCHS Senior 100 Black Men Mentee of the Year; Program Aims at SMART Education

Lenore Sobota

The Pantagraph

Markus Brooks of Bloomington is just starting his senior year at Normal Community High School, but he is already looking ahead — to attending college, teaching social studies and becoming a mentor like those who have mentored him through 100 Black Men of Central Illinois.

Brooks, son of Udonald and Dorothy Brooks, was recently named Mentee of the Year by the organization, which began in Bloomington in 2004 as a chapter of the national organization.

“It made me a better person,” Brooks said of his experience in the M4L (Mentoring 4 Life) program. “I made my goals higher. I know a lot more about society.”

His enthusiasm for the program brings a smile to the face of Paul Hursey, who has been involved in the mentorship program since it started about seven years ago.

“It started out as a reading program, but we saw that these young men needed more than a reading program,” Hursey said.

Although Brooks lives in a home with both parents present, Hursey said, “We get a lot of young men who are in single-guardian homes.”

The mentors provide them with role models and opportunities they might not otherwise have — and another adult to push them to do their best.

“I don't talk to them about potential,” Hursey said. “Potential is just wasted capability.”

Udonald Brooks, who has worked at State Farm for 26 years, said he has watched his son mature and become more aware of his ability to influence others through his involvement in the program.

“It allows him to interact with people from different social statuses,” Udonald Brooks said. “People from different backgrounds can have a lot of the same goals and different ways to reach them.”

Dorothy Brooks, a substitute teacher in Bloomington District 87, likes the way the mentors make sure the youths keep up their grades and encourage discussion.

Hursey said: “Don't misjudge us by our name. We have Caucasians in our program as well.”

District 87 school Superintendent Barry Reilly said, “They really have a passion, not only for mentorship but for doing things to help the entire community.”

For example, the organization collaborates with the NAACP to provide scholarships for low-income students to attend summer school.

“They just ask how much we need and write a check,” Reilly said.

Next month, the organization is offering a bus trip to a college and scholarship fair in Chicago.

“For a lot of these kids, college is way off in the distance,” Hursey said.

Their mentors try to get them to think about a path that will give them a career — not just a job — whether it involves a college degree or a trade, he said.

Education and economic empowerment are two of the pillars of 100 Black Men. The others are mentoring and health and wellness. A health awareness breakfast is among their annual outreach activities.

They also partner with other organizations on such projects as holiday food baskets, school supply giveaways and college scholarships.

The mentoring program groups together youths of varying ages, some as young as fourth grade.

The younger students learn from the older ones and the older ones learn to set a good example, Hursey explained.

A typical session will start with a quiz about topics such as politics, current events or black history.

The group then discusses each question and the answers. Sometimes the youths are presented with a scenario — such as being at a party where they shouldn't be — and discuss what they should do: Call a parent? Walk home?

The idea is to teach them critical thinking skills, Hursey said.

Brooks was selected as Mentee of the Year because of his regular participation, good grades and volunteer activities in school and at his church, according to Hursey.

“He sets an example inside our mentor sessions for most of the younger ones,” Hursey said. “He thinks things though before saying anything.”

Turning to Brooks, he said, “We're going to try to pull some of that teaching stuff out of you this year, so be prepared."

100 Black Men of Central Illinois sponsors the Mentoring the 100 Way program, a holistic approach that addresses the social, emotional and cultural needs of children ages 8-18. It’s really what we’re all about. Members become mentors, advocates, and role models for the youth within our community. Through chapter operated one-on-one and group mentoring efforts, our members forge relationships that positively impact our greatest resource, our youth. Our efforts focus on building essential skills needed to become productive, contributing citizens in Bloomington/Normal (Central Illinois).

Mentoring the 100 Way uses three different techniques: One-on-one, group, and tag-team mentoring. All techniques focus on being "S.M.A.R.T.":
Specific: Specific and clearly defined mentoring population
Measurable: Measure and evaluate effectiveness
Attainable: Setting goals that are attainable for the children and mentors
Realistic: Goals should be realistic (makes sense to the mentee)
Target Driven: Have a set target of pursuit

For more on the organization, visit http://www.100bmci.com/

Cultural Festival 36 Years of Family Fun

Cultural Festival will celebrate 36 years as a community summer tradition on July 25 at the Illinois State University Ballroom in the Bone Student Center. This year the festival theme is “The Happiest Place in Central Illinois”

The festival’s primary purpose is to promote and foster appreciation for a variety of cultures through entertainment and educational activities. It’s also a forum for community organizations to promote and conduct positive activities for civic, patriotic, educational, and social purposes. It is further intended to provide good, wholesome fun activities and entertainment in a family atmosphere.

The free festival is a wonderful time with a little bit of something for everyone. One festival highlight is the main stage entertainment, featuring nonstop performances and activities throughout the day.

Entertainment & Activities
The lineup of talent will be an exciting mix this year, ranging from the Sugar Creek Cloggers to the first Cultural Fest Lip Synch battle. The Children’s Village is another big hit with both parents and youngsters. The village is a special kid zone filled with fun activities and crafts, a big bounce house and face painting by the Zoo Lady. Also Sponge Bob Squarepants will make his first appearance at Cultural Fest, he will be roaming around the Children’s Village with some great giveaways for the kids.

Health & Wellness

Health and wellness will also be promoted during this year’s festival, the McLean County Health Dept. and the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois are partnering to provide a variety of fun and educational health and wellness focus activity and information including Health & Wellness Bingo at 2 p.m. (ISU Circus Room).

 For more information about Cultural Fest, booth registration, or Lip Synch contest entry visit our website: www.culturalfest.com