Introduction
Mission Statement & Vision Statement
History of the 100 Black Men of London
History of the 100 Black men of America
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Introduction
The 100 Black Men of London is a charity dedicated to the education, development and uplifting of our youth and the wider community.
We are a chapter of the 100 Black Men International Inc, an organisation first created in New York in 1963 by a group of concerned African American men determined to bring about positive change in their local community.
Our membership comprises men of African or Caribbean heritage. Our volunteer base consists of men and women of diverse backgrounds, professions, skills and interests.
The 100 Black Men of London was founded and exists to provide what we see as a crucial service to the people of London. Governments and institutions all have their part to play in the advancement and development of communities, but we strongly believe that it is when individuals within the community themselves come together to fight for a common cause that true progress is made and achieved.
There are particular issues, concerns and challenges that face the black community in London (meaning people of African and Caribbean descent).
According to the 2001 census, in England and Wales, 2.3 per cent of the population is black. 45% of the countrys Black population lives in London. Yet in Education, black children are more likely to underachieve (compared to their white counterparts), be victims of discrimination in the education system and not go on to tertiary (university) education. In Health, almost 10 per cent of mental health inpatients are black, black people are three times more likely to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals in England than the rest of the population, black people are up to 44 per cent more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act, black people are twice as likely to be referred to mental health services by the police and courts as the rest of the population. People from black Caribbean communities have a higher prevalence of hypertension (38.4% men, 31.7% women) than the general population (31.7% men and 29.5% women). Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed diabetes was significantly higher in Black Caribbean (10% men, 8.4% women), men and women than in the general population (4.3% men, 3.4% women), the prevalence of obesity was highest in women from Black African and Caribbean communities (32 - 39%). Figures for 2005 show that between 24 30% of Black households are living below the average income line. The employment rate for Black and other minority communities has risen since 2002 by 1.4% and now stands at 59.3%. There has been a resurgence of Black business ownership in recent times though. In London alone, there are over 10,000 Black owned private sector businesses at the same time though there has been a marked increase in teenage gang warfare and associated gun and knife crime. In 2008 alone there were 28 teenage murders in London, 25 of the victims were black youths, and the accused in the other 3 cases also include black youths. 20 of the accused black youths for these murders have come from single parent households with no identifiable black male role model.
All of these and other pressing issues created the need for a community based organisation led by men of African and Caribbean descent, dedicated to changing the lives and prospects of the black community in London.
We focus on four key areas of concern, namely Mentoring, Education, Economic Development and Health & Wellbeing (we call them our Four for the Future) as well as the principles and practicalities of good Leadership.
Our programmes are varied and far reaching, including:
- Our acclaimed Mentoring (Community Programme), a group mentoring programme that guides young girls and boys through a comprehensive set of life skills, including self identity, goal setting, money management, health & wellbeing, black history, eventually helping our youth develop into leaders of the peers to become leaders of the future
- Black History Challenge, an interschools black history programme in which schools are pitted against each other to answer challenging questions on aspect of black history (usually from a set text) in a knockout competition
- Education Through Film, a series of monthly films in different venues around London on black icons, culture and history
- Quality Time, a trip usually to a theme park for men and their children to engage with each other in a fantastic fun day out
- Family Fun Day, a full day of fun, sports, entertainment and activities for the whole family to enjoy
- 100 Book Club (Real Black Men Read), a programme to encourage reading and discussion of great black books and authors
- Schools Programme, a programme of delivery of seminars by our members to schools on useful life skills and black history
These programmes have directly benefitted thousands of lives in the black and wider community, helping to educate society about the great beauty, culture and history of people of African & Caribbean descent in London.
Honorary Members of the 100 Black Men of London include retired undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, celebrated educationalist Professor Gus John and award winning actor/playwright Kwame Kwei Armah.
Our supporters include Diane Abbott MP, The Bernie Grant Trust, Accenture (African Caribbean Network).
As men and women of African and Caribbean descent we are determined to play our part to tackle and overcome the obstacles facing the black community in London because in the 100 Black Men of London we are committed to making a big change and not just a small difference.
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Mission statement & Vision statement
Our Vision
Our vision is of a future in which children of all backgrounds living in London have equal opportunity, a strong sense of self pride, and are endowed with the skills, knowledge and motivation they need to pursue their dreams, achieve their goals and become positive contributors to society.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to play a leading role in the uplifting and development of the lives of all Londoners, especially people and children of African & Caribbean descent, through education in life skills, breaking down negative stereotypes, and imbuing our youth with the confidence they need to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Our Strategy
We will achieve our Mission and realise our Vision by focusing on four strategically key areas of concern
- Mentoring
- Education
- Economic Development
- Health & Wellbeing
We call them our Four for the Future
Leadership (the principles and practicalities of being a good leader to your peers, within the community and to the wider society) is also a particular focus as we aim to help young people develop into future Leaders.
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History of the 100 Black Men of London
The 100 Black Men of London was founded in April 2001 by Ken Barnes and a small group of professional Black men, who decided to put their thoughts about the changes needed for the benefit of the Black community into action.
Although the 100 Black Men of Birmingham had existed for a few years previously, Ken recognised that there was a desperate need for the services of such a positive organisation based in the country's capital, London.
Ken and his colleagues driven by a fierce passion and determination built the organisation steadily into a force to be reckoned with, with more men and women signing up and bigger and better programmes being delivered throughout North and South London
In 2004 the 100 Black Men of London became a registered charity.
In 2004 Lennox Lewis, undisputed heavy weight champion of the world, became an Honarary Member
In 2006 Professor Gus John, celebrated educationalist, became an Honarary Member
In 2008 Kwame Kwei Armah, award winning actor/playwright became an Honarary Member
In 2008 the 100 Black Men of London was awarded the title of International Chapter of the Year by the 100 Black Men International Inc.
Olu Alake is the current President of the 100 Black Men of London
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History of the 100 Black Men of America
The overall concept of the 100 began in New York in 1963 when a group of concerned African American men, including David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson began to meet to explore ways of improving conditions in their community. The group eventually adopted the name, 100 Black Men, Inc. as a sign of solidarity.
In 1976 Dr. Hayling formed the 100 Black Men of New Jersey and subsequently chapters began to form across the country from Baltimore to Atlanta to San Francisco.
At a meeting on October 2, 1986 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington representatives from Chapters in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Atlanta and New Jersey discussed the setting up of a National Framework for the various chapters and the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. was born.
On May 27, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, this newly formed organisation introduced itself to the nation during its first national conference. Noted speakers included the late Alex P. Haley and the late Honorable Maynard H. Jackson.
Under the Presidency of Thomas W. Dortch, elected National President in 1994, the acclaimed Four For The Future Plan was developed since which time the organization has strategically channeled its resources toward programs that support these important areas: Mentoring, Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Development, identified as critical to the future of African Americans.
In 1997 Chairman Dortch expanded the organisation internationally with the chartering of chapters in Birmingham,UK; Nassau Bahamas, Goree Island, Senegal, Kingston, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, and London, England. It was also in 1997 that the organisation purchased its World Headquarters building on historic Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2004, Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Esq. was elected the fourth National President. He has focused the organization on Leadership Development in all of the Four For The Future areas. Today the organisation has grown to over 105 chapters with more than 10,000 members who continue to strive to improve the quality of life in our communities.
The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. has more than 100,000 youth participants annually in its mentoring and youth development programs.
With a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for African Americans, members of the 100 Black Men of America continue to serve as a strong force in the world by overcoming the cultural and financial obstacles that have limited the achievements of some African Americans, particularly young African American males.
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