History of the Philadelphia Chapter
of the 100 Black Men Of America, Inc.

In 1991, the national office of 100 Black Men of America approved a charter for 100 Black Men of Philadelphia (100 BMP) as a member of the non-profit organization. A man named Roland Jarvis saw the need for a local chapter and spearheaded the effort. Jarvis found twenty-five other men who shared his vision and mission and they decided to make a difference. They developed programs that complemented the mission of the national organization, known a Four for the Future: Mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic development.

In addition to a focus on mentoring, 100 BMP developed "Christmas in April" and golfing programs. Young men from the inner city were given the opportunity to broaden their horizons through the eyes of men who felt fortunate in sharing their skills and time with them.

When Michael Young became president, he emphasized recruiting as an important component if the chapter wanted to continue its growth. In 2003, Ken Lassiter was elected president and developed other programs that helped the organization grow and flourish. Lassiter developed fundraising concepts that were unique to his style and approach. His programs also included a chess program and a Philadelphia Eagles bowling fundraiser at Jillians in Franklin Mills.

In 2007, the late John Walker and twenty-five African-American males felt the need to revive the then-dormant Philadelphia chapter.
With the approval of the organization's national headquarters, 100 Black Men of Philadelphia returned to action with a different approach but the same message: help our youth within the city of Philadelphia.

100 BMP received a new charter from national headquarters at the organization's 2008 conference in Orlando, Florida. The chapter pioneers wasted no time in developing new ideals, strategies, and programs. They aligned themselves with other organization within the city, realizing that the problems of gun violence, crime, and children leaving school could not be handled by 100 BMP alone. The re-energized chapter started the Minority Entrepreneur Apprentice Program (MEAP), partnering with Dobbins and Strawberry Mansion High School in this exciting pilot project that will teach young men the intricacies of real estate development.

The Honickman Center, a state-of-the-art community center in North Philadelphia, works with 100 BMP to provide reading programs to youngsters in the 3rd grade. They understand the need to reach and develop these children at an early age.

The overall concept of the 100 began in New York in 1963 when a group of concerned African American men 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. These men envisioned an organization that would implement programs designed to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities. They also wished to ensure the future of their communities by aiming an intense number of resources toward youth development. These members were successful black men from various walks of life. These visionaries were business and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson.

Dr. William Hayling, a member of the NY organization, had relocated to Newark, NJ and sought to replicate the 100's impact in that area. In 1976 Dr. Hayling formed the 100 Black Men of New Jersey. A movement had been born. Men across the country began to form 100 Black Men organizations to leverage their collective talents and resources. Chapters were formed in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, Nassau/Suffolk, Alton, and Sacramento.

On September 21, 1983, a three-hour meeting was held at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., among representatives from the Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, and St. Louis chapters. This meeting was to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a National Organization for 100 Black Men. This meeting was held during the annual weekend meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Representative of St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, Nassau/Suffolk and Sacramento met for a second time in Las Vegas, May 11-13, 1984, at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. The men engaged in extensive discussions about the most effective structure to support the growth and governance of 100 Black Men chapters.

The third meeting was held May 16-18, 1986 at the Flamingo Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. At this meeting it was agreed that the best model for a newly-formed national organization was a federation governance model. This model leveraged human and financial resources, and supported chapter growth while preserving chapter autonomy. It was also voted that a National Steering Committee would include the Presidents of each chapter, along with two members from each chapter.

A final meeting was held on October 2, 1986 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington. Chapters represented were: Los Angeles, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Atlanta and New Jersey. The chapters decided that the name of the organization would be: “100 Black Men of America, Inc.”

The following individuals were elected as national officers:

* Dr. William Hayling (Los Angeles) President
* Moses Gray (Indianapolis) Secretary
* Oliver Lofton, Esq. (New Jersey) Vice-President
* Jesse C. Swanigan (St. Louis) Treasurer

On May 27, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, this newly formed organization 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.

In 1989, Nathaniel Goldston became the organization's second National President and grew the organization to 43 chapters. Thomas W. Dortch Jr. was elected the third National President in 1994. That year he spearheaded an aggressive plan entitled “Four For The Future.”TM Since that time, the organization has strategically channeled its resources toward programs that support these important areas: Mentoring, Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Development. The 100 has identified these areas as being critical to the future of African Americans.

In 1997 Chairman Dortch expanded the organization internationally with the chartering of the Birmingham, England chapter. Additional international chapters followed; Nassau Bahamas, Goree Island, Senegal, Kingston, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, and London, England chapters. It was also in 1997 that the organization 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 organization 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 and enhance the educational and economic opportunities for African Americans. 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 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. Members of the 100 have made outstanding progress, proving that Blacks can, and do, excel as corporate leaders, community leaders and as independent business owners.