The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis is proud to host its annual Black Tie Gala Fundraiser this Saturday, October 26, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel St. Louis at the Arch, 315 Chestnut St. The 100 Black Men will also celebrate its 30th anniversary by highlighting past founders and presidents “who really set the foundation for establishing the organization,” said Jacque Land, executive director of 100 Black Men.
The gala will kick off with a V.I.P. reception for sponsors, honorees, honorary co-chairs and key 100 Black Men members beginning at 6 p.m. followed an hour later by an awards and dinner banquet.
“We expect a big crowd,” said Joseph Anderson Jr., president of 100 Black Men. “The corporate and community response has been tremendous.”
“It’s a very opportune time obviously with the World Series taking place,” Land chimed in. “Downtown is going to be very lively.”
Anderson hopes to net at least $30, 000 for mentoring and scholarship programs for the upcoming year. He added that since 2006, 100 Black Men has distributed over $40,000 in scholarship funds to students in the St. Louis community.
This year’s theme: “30 years and still in the spirit” is a testament of the organization’s resolve to carry out its mission. The organization’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for African Americans by providing initiatives through its four pillars: mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment. The 100 Black Men will honor deserving individuals who are truly making a difference in their communities in these four key areas. Like the economic impact, for example, of honoree Michael Jones, pastor of Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church.
“If you drive up and down Martin Luther King you can see the development of the Arlington Grove Project for low to moderate income families,” Land said of Jones. “Leaps and bounds, he’s really staying in the community building it up as opposed to running out.”
Also, 100 Black Men will honor its youth, Collegiate 100, and young professionals with the newly formed Emerging 100. Mentor of the year and fellow 100 Black Men member Don Berry is described by Land as “heavily engaged.” And he went on to say admiringly of mentee of the year, DeVonte Drummer, 18, is determined “not to be a statistic.”
“He is one who has defeated the odds,” Land said of Drummer. “He’s been steadfast in pulling himself up by the boot straps and focusing on his education.”
Drummer recently graduated from Beaumont High School and is now enrolled at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park campus. He is working toward a degree in architectural engineering and is an intern with 100 Black Men.
Young professional honorees are City of St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones and Melanie Robinson, director of communications for the Riverview Gardens School District. Additional honors include the Trailblazers, Community Volunteers and Organization of the Year awards, which will go to Ron Himes, founder and producing director of The Black Rep.
Michael McMillian, president & CEO of the Urban League and former license collector for the City of St. Louis, will serve as one of three honorary co-chairs. He is joined by Tom Voss, CEO of Ameren, and Keith Williamson, senior vice president & general counsel of Centene Corporation. McMillian and Williamson are both members of 100 Black Men and all three men have instrumentally garnered support for the event from their respective colleagues. Ameren, Centene, and The St. Louis American are among a long list of sponsors. Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of the St. Louis American, is an honorary member of 100 Black Men St. Louis.
Live entertainment includes performances by the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church Choir and local recording artist “GaBBii,” also known as Alexis Jones. Attendees will have an opportunity to make donations on the spot. If you wish to attend the event, you’re in luck. Anderson says there are still some empty seats left up for grabs at a few tables.
General admission ticket is $100 (table of 10 $1,000) and V.I.P. ticket is $125 (table of 10 $1,250) Purchase Your Tickets at www.100blackmenstl.com | 314-367-7778
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