Our Views: 100 Black Men helping kids

We hope that BRAVE, a new crime-fighting initiative aimed at reducing violence in Baton Rouge’s most troubled neighborhoods, proves successful at restoring order to inner-city streets where drugs and death are common parts of daily life. One big challenge will be giving options other than crime to at-risk youngsters driving so much of the violence.

That’s why we’re heartened by the news that representatives of 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, a local nonprofit with a history of helping at-risk youth, have been meeting with BRAVE organizers to see how they can help BRAVE succeed.

Adell Brown, president of 100 Black Men, said if unhealthy influences are driven out of a troubled neighborhood, then more helpful institutions must be poised to fill the vacuum.

Started locally in 1993, 100 Black Men will mark its 20th anniversary next year. For two decades, the local nonprofit has been mentoring at-risk youngsters, helping them to succeed academically and prepare for college.

With a budget of $150,000 a year, 100 Black Men is doing good work in helping to lift at-risk youngsters into better lives.

Despite its name, membership in 100 Black Men is open to anyone who’s interested in advancing its mission. For information on how to help, call [phone], or email [e-mail].

Comments

1) Comment by ScotB - 20/09/2012

The unemployment rate for black youth ages 16-24 is at a record high of almost 30%! What does America's first black president do to help young blacks during this unprecedented economic crisis? He issues an executive order making it defacto legal for young illegal aliens to compete for the jobs all of these black US citizens would like to have. .........And they will vote for him in November anyway!!!

2) Comment by nimby? - 20/09/2012

teachers doing after hour tutoring , businesses offering apprenticeship , sponsoring students at vo-tech schools , librarians teaching reading to adults as well children , big brothers doing what dad should , doctors making house calls , church groups delivering meals , taking shut ins shopping , to the doctor . I have a rental property I've been letting two former students live in rent free , as long as they stay in school . both are about to graduate from Southern . a lot of people , individuals doing without pretense . there is much to be done , care to help ?

3) Comment by DMJ - 20/09/2012

Such as...

4) Comment by nimby? - 20/09/2012

What else is there? results , a decrease instead of increase in juvenile crime , more kids staying in school . other individuals , organizations are doing as much , more while receiving less fanfare ....

5) Comment by bourbon-soda - 20/09/2012

They're trying and they mean well. What else is there?

6) Comment by nimby? - 20/09/2012

race aside , this is another Baton Rouge "look at me" organization patting itself on the back for limited success . "Mr. say is nothing , Mr. do is the man " ....

7) Comment by DMJ - 20/09/2012

At least they're trying.

8) Comment by tradewinns - 20/09/2012

their performance so far can not be great as the crime ate in the inner city continues to soar.

9) Comment by [e-mail] - 20/09/2012

I don't see a benefit to propagating such a myopic vision; words mean something and anytime a "nonprofit" uses such restrictive words to share its mission statement I'm not interested.

10) Comment by bourbon-soda - 20/09/2012

Have the 100 ever addressed the feral reproduction by the millions?

11) Comment by Bouncer - 20/09/2012

Good luck.

12) Comment by spqr - 20/09/2012

This organization does not deserve the publicity. Terribly overrated in assisting inner city children.

13) Comment by The_Host - 20/09/2012

Well that is a brilliant way to try and get people involved. Call yourself 100 BLACK Men and then say ohhhh but we are open to anyone that wants to join. There could be 1000 Black Men with 1.5 million a year to spend and I don't think we would notice a difference. Somehow I feel if there was a 100 WHITE MEN and they said ohhhh but anyone is welcome to join, nevermind the name it wouldn't go over so well with other races. The good old double standard yep that is going to make sure no one sees a persons color only their character.