100 Black Men of America Annual Conference: Ensuring Excellence for African-American Youth

National PTA President Otha Thornton poses with Michael J. Brown, president of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and Curley M. Dossman, Jr., chairman of the Board for 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

National PTA President Otha Thornton poses with Michael J. Brown, president of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and Curley M. Dossman, Jr., chairman of the Board for 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

I recently had the honor of participating in 100 Black Men of America, Inc.’s 28th Annual Conference in Florida. The focus of the event was Education in an Era of Change, Ensuring Excellence for African-American Youth. The conference brought together leaders from across the country from government, education, health and wellness, civic, and entertainment industries for empowerment and enrichment, to share best practices, and discuss issues facing youth, their families and the communities in which they live.

100 Black Men of America, Inc. is a volunteer organization of approximately 10,000 members and partners dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth, improving our nation’s communities, and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for all African-Americans. The organization meets a crucial need by impacting underserved youth through mentoring, education and empowerment.

As part of the conference, a black-tie gala was held during which a number of awards were presented. I am honored to have been recognized with the 2014 Chairman’s Award for Parent Engagement. The award truly is a testament to our association and the efforts and dedication of all of our members to increase and strengthen family engagement in education and make a difference for the lives and futures of every child. In addition to the gala, I also participated in a panel discussion during the conference.

For more information about 100 Black Men of America, visit www.100blackmen.org.


Otha Thornton is president of National PTA.

Comments

  1. Avra Agnostis says:

    I first searched your state membership roster for our 100 Men State Supporters, or Advocates representing Minnesota, assisting with our Urban Schools, but the list did not include my state, well now I was not terribly surprised at this; that our states name is not listed, or represented on the list with other states. No, no this is no surprise to me; and as I shared this with other advocates I partner with; they were not surprised either. And please understand, we are not in any way saying this your fault, on the contrary; we would say others that hold important position’s with in our School Districts, and State Education Systems, that play critical roles in the education of our children, of course the parents lack participation because often it is blocked, and knowledge; this is also a big continuing factor to Minnesota’s failed education system. However research say’s parents are doing what they can, yet the systems created to assist parents; are doing less; and we are almost locked out of participating the Urban Schools. Too many care taker Parent Organizations that are not advocating, or disseminating their knowledge of the parents right to have PTA’s in their schools.
    However only a few of us seemed to be alarmed, and we are concerned about that, the attitude and stagnation of our leaders alarm us to something being terrible wrong; and we know it, especially when we need help advocating for our legal rights; no lawyer’s are coming forward to help our parents with their Educational, and Civil Rights, and that their children’s are being violated. We know something is up here; our children are suffering but it seems as if we are not on the radar, we are not a State that gets a national spot light on our States failing education system; or maybe someone white washed the truth of our situation.

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