The Collegiate 100

The Collegiate 100 is an auxiliary organization existing on college campuses nationwide directly related to, and in turn shares the ideas and views of, the 100 Black Men of America.^[1] It was birthed as part of the 100 Black Men's Program Success in December 1994 from a proposal submitted by the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston Chapter Inc.^[2] The goal of this organization is to assist 100 Black Men with its education, empowerment, and enrichment missionS.^[3]

Origin of Organization

The Collegiate 100 had its beginning at Prairie View A&M University in 1993 by Frederick V. Roberts, then director of Student Activities. The impetus for the group was a mentoring program sponsored for female students by the Coalition of 100 Black Women of Houston. The original group included male and female students who provided leadership and mentoring for the students at the university. Roberts, being a charter member of the newly recognized 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston Chapter, Inc. (formed in March 1994 and approved at the National convention June 1994) of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. presented the proposal to seek affiliation with the national organization.

The chapter, led by Attorney Benjamin Pigott, accepted and approved the proposal for the Collegiate 100 in its November 1994 meeting. The proposal was presented to the Board of Directors of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., at its December 1994 Leadership Board Meeting. The proposal was unanimously adopted and thus began the national launch of the Collegiate 100. The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. hosted its Inaugural Ball in November at the Hyatt Regency and recognized the students for their leadership in helping to form the organization. Some of the first members of the Collegiate 100^[4] at PVAMU were Robert Brown, Horace Bussey, Kevin Bussey, Sherry Cardigan, Lelar Corbett, Loretta Davis, Cedric Goodman, Jason Jefferson, Christina Johnson, Marcus Lane, Andre' Pitre, Derrick Ross, Devyon Smith, Michael Smith and Donna Tomlinson. Today, some chapters only have male members and or have one organization with two segments led by male and female presidents.

Organization History

Roland Jones, former president of the 100 Black Men Chapter of Middle Tennessee was instrumental in launching the National Collegiate 100 at Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. James Walker, president of the university at that time, was instrumental in establishing the chapter. The world's first executive members of the Collegiate 100 included: Vincent Ivan Phipps (President),^[5] Sterling McNeal (Vice-president), Steve Barnes (Vice-president of Communication), and Brian Miller (Secretary). Vincent Ivan Phipps wrote the Collegiate 100 National Anthem, "Intent of the Mission".

The Collegiate 100 had its beginning at Prairie View A&M University in 1993 by Frederick V. Roberts, then director of Student Activities. The impetus for the group was a mentoring program sponsored for female students by the Coalition of 100 Black Women of Houston. The original group included male and female students who provided leadership and mentoring for the students at the university. Roberts, being a charter member of the newly recognized 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston^[6] Chapter, Inc. (formed in March 1994 and approved at the National convention June 1994) of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. presented the proposal to seek affiliation with the national organization.

The Collegiate 100 of Texas Southern University began in 2011 by Darnell Joseph, the university’s network/communications manager and advisor for the Collegiate 100. The purpose of the Collegiate 100 of Texas Southern University is to implement mentoring and tutoring programs for fellow students and students aspiring to attend college. In addition, the organization seeks to improve campus retention and graduation rates while also assisting the program efforts of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston. The organization’s emphasis on mentoring seeks to create a more prosperous individual and group outcome, and has inspired others to join the movement. Shortly after the undergraduate-focused Collegiate 100 Men was established, Texas Southern’s female students demanded—and founded—a similar organization.

Texas Southern’s director of alumni relations, Connie Cochran and director of internal audits, Charla Parker-Thompson, serve as advisors/liaisons for the Collegiate 100 Women. These efforts were some followed by students at the nearby University of Houston, which chapter was began the following year. Some of the first members of the Collegiate 100 at TSU were Joshua Greene, William Edward, Brett McKinley, George Lewis, Anthony Victorain, Leon Spencer, Da’Quallon D. Smith, Gilbert C. Cutkevin, Justin Washington, Jonathan Jackson (only founding member from the University of Houston), Kamau M. Marshall, Jamal C. Bell, Andre Wagner, and Femi Felix-Ukwu.

Chapter Formation and Membership

Every collegiate chapter must have a faculty or staff member on staff at the university to head the chapter. That person must also be an active member of 100 Black Men to ensure the chapter runs efficiently and effectively.

Mentoring the 100 Way

Mentoring the 100 Way is a major program of 100 Black Men and one of the primary programs Collegiate 100 participates in. The program deals with the social, emotional, and cultural needs of African American men ages 8–18. Using three different mentoring techniques, mentors hold workshops to improve life skill and general awareness among this targeted group of young men.^[7]

Three mentoring techniques used:^[8]

• 1:1 Mentoring
• Group Mentoring
• Tag Team Mentoring

All of these techniques focus on being SMART:^[9]

• 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: The chapter should have a set target of pursuit

Chapter Projects

• The Collegiate 100 at Prairie View A&M University hosted 2013 Black Tie Scholarship Gala and Power 100™ Awards program on November 16 to a rousing success. The honorees included Texas State Representatives Dr. Alma Allen and Attorney Sylvester Turner, Prairie View A&M Faculty members Dr. Kelvin Kirby (Engineering) and Dr. George Brown (Biology); the Women's Volley Ball Team and the Men's Track Team. Additionally, the chapter formally pinned and welcome 48 New Members (24 ladies and 24 gentlemen in to the organization.
• The Collegiate 100 at Prairie View A&M University hosted its Career Expo II on September 13, the first professional seminar of the 2012 –13 school year. The Career Expo, co-sponsored with Career Services at Prairie View A&M University, allowed students to hear from six panelists from different career paths including engineering, finance, medicine, criminal justice and consulting. The panelists were asked various questions regarding their college experiences as well as the transition into their professional careers. The participants also shared personal challenges they faced in their careers and what steps they took to become successful to date.
• The Collegiate 100 Chapter of Harris-Stowe State University worked with St. Louis License Collector Mike McMillan and his office to raise $10,000 of scholarship money available to students of that university. The money was donated by Harris-Stowe alumni and local corporations.^[10]
• The Collegiate 100^[11] of Tennessee State University provided members of the chapter to another local organization, All the King’s Men, as mentors to AKM’s members. The two organizations have similar goals in the upbringing of young African-Americans.Collegiate 100 members are also active Members in the community, at Caldwell Elementary, Preston Taylor YMCA, and Hadley Community Center to name a few.^[12]
• The Collegiate 100 of Prairie View A&M University currently supports and participate in the Mentoring the 100 Way project of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc.^[13] Twice a month, members the Collegiate 100 travels to Houston to work with the kids (30 - 8-12th graders) and provide information on college life and also tutor students in Math and Science. Additionally, the Collegiate 100 is participating in In-School Mentoring Programs at Cyfair Elementary and Hempstead High. The students provide pep talks on college and life in general. The latest project for the Collegiate 100 is their Boys2Men Mentoring program on campus. Along with Residence Hall Manager, The Collegiate hosts seminars with the men and women residents. The chapter also supported Breast Cancer Awareness at the university by distributing literature and pink ribbons to the students and faculty to raise awareness of the disease. Finally, several of the members of the Collegiate 100 assisted with the creation and establishment of the 100 Collegiate Women of America,^[14] Inc. at the university in November 2011.
• The Collegiate 100 of Prairie View A&M University held its Fall induction on November 11, 2011.
• The Collegiate 100 of Texas Southern University is a collection strong of analytic minds who are making an impact in the community that surrounds their university and enabling the community to work smarter.
• The Collegiate 100 of Prairie View A&M University is making life better for some 300 kids this Christmas.

100 Sponsors

The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. is the sponsor for three Collegiate 100 Chapters as follows:

1. Prairie View A&M University
2. Texas Southern University
3. University of Houston

The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc., hosted its 2013 Fall Leadership Academy for members of the Collegiate 100 at Prairie View A&M University on September 14. More than 40 members attended the workshop. The purpose of the academy was to provide information on various topics to enhance the personal and professional development of the members. Topics discussed included the art of leadership, resume writing, communication, etiquette and dining, dressing for success and social networking.

The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston conducted a Leadership Academy for the chapter membership on September 29 at Texas Southern University. Some 50 members participated in the half-day event. The purposes of the academy was to provide a forum to share experiences, common programming, fiscal accountability, adherence to national rules and regulations, career development and mentoring.

• The Collegiate 100 of University of Houston on October 18, 2012 formally inducted 24 students into membership and recognize its official chartering at the university.
• The Collegiate 100 of Prairie View A&M University is gearing up for its 2012 Black Tie Scholarship and Awards Gala, set for November 16 in the Willie A. Tempton Student Center at the university.

References

1. http://www.100blackmen.org/mentoring_collegiate_100.asp
2. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS142623+03-Dec-2007+PRN20071203
3. http://www.100blackmen.org/home.aspx
4. http://www.collegiate100pvamu.com
5. http://www.communicationvip.com
6. "100 Black Men, Metropolitan Houston Chapter, Inc".
7. http://100blackmen.org/mentoring.asp
8. http://100blackmen.org/mentoring.asp
9. http://100blackmen.org/mentoring.asp
10. "McMillan helps raise $10,000 for Harris-Stowe scholarships". St. Louis Business Journal.
11. http://www.tnstate100.org/
12. http://www.akmnashville.org/news.htm
13. http://www.100blackmen.org/home.aspx
14. 100 Collegiate Women of America. "The 100 Collegiate Women of America™".