Tallahassee Chapter of 100 Black Men Gives $20,000 to Local Scholars for School This Fall

Kaycee Reese, Chelsea Murphy, Devonte King and Roderick Wilkins pose with checks they received from 100 Black Men Tallahassee, Inc. and scholarships from FAMU. All will attend FAMU in the fall. They are flanked by members of 100 Black Men, corporate sponsors, and Natalie Rose, center back row, from the FAMU Scholarship Office.
Photo special to the Outlook

Special to the Outlook

The newly renovated Grand Ballroom on the campus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) was the venue for the annual Black Tie Scholarship Gala sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Tallahassee, Inc. This year, 12 young men and women were the recipients of over $40,000 in scholarships that will enable them to enter college in the fall of this year. The 100 Black Men of Tallahassee, Inc. awarded $20,000 dollars in scholarships with funding coming from its corporate sponsors, patrons, members and the sale of tickets to the gala. Through a collaboration with FAMU, FAMU awarded additional scholarships totaling $20,000. Ms. Natalie Rose was on hand to present those scholarships along with Gerald Williams, 100 Black Men Vice President for Membership and Scholarship Committee Chair and Juan Collins, 100 Black Men Vice President for Development.

 
Chelsea Murphy, Devonte King, Kaycee Reese and Roderick Wilkins, Jr. received scholarships from the 100 Black Men and scholarships from FAMU. All will be attending FAMU in the fall. Miss Murphy, a graduate of Florida State University (FSU) High School received $2,000 from 100 Black Men and King, a graduate of East Gadsden High; Reese, a Rickards High graduate; and Wilkins, a graduate of FSU High School each received $1,000. At FAMU, Murphy will major in Pharmacy, King in Architecture, Reese in Business Administration and Wilkins in Information Technology.

 
Conrad Maynard of Atlanta, GA, executive director of The Jordan Davis Foundation was on hand to present, in conjunction with 100 Black Men, The Jordan Davis Memorial Scholarship of $3,500 to Charles Hunter. Hunter, a graduate of East Gadsden High will use his scholarship at FSU, majoring in Civil Engineering. This is the second year this scholarship in honor of Jordan Davis has been presented. The 100 Black Men Black Diamond Scholarship in the amount of $3,500 was presented to Nicholas Harris, an FSU High School Graduate. Harris plans to major in Business at North Carolina Wesleyan College. David Mkoji and Javail Lewis each received $2,500 from 100 Black Men. Mkoji, an FSU High School graduate will attend University of Florida (UF) with plans to major in Bio Chemistry and Molecular Medicine. Mr. Lewis, a Leon High graduate will attend FSU majoring in Business. The chapter recognized Rikisha Collins, the daughter of one of its members, for her exemplary academic performance. Collins, a graduate of the Rickards High School International Baccalaureate (IB) program, is the daughter of Juan Collins. She received the 100 Black Men 2015 Outstanding Scholar Award. Ms. Collins will attend FSU in the fall majoring in Pre-Law. Four book scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each were awarded to Kameryn Stanfield, a graduate of Lincoln High; Tysjah Pitchford and Jamie Parrish, Rickards graduates and Jordan Gaines, a graduate of West Gadsden High. Stanfield will attend Auburn University, majoring in Agricultural Business; Pitchford will attend University of Central Florida (UCF),majoring in Public Relations; Gaines will attend FAMU, majoring in Business Administration and Parrish will be attend FSU, majoring in Advertisement.

 
A crowd of 400 was on hand to congratulate the recipients and enjoy the evening which began with an hour of music performed by Fred Lee, prior to the start of the program.

 
The theme for the evening, “Modeling Manhood-What They See Is What They’ll Be,” was punctuated throughout the evening with comments from the master of ceremony, Darryl Jones, greetings by President-elect Eric Friall, Congresswoman Gwen Graham, City Manager Anita Favors-Thompson, and FAMU Coach Alex Wood, the occasion by Ernest J. Lane and through the video presentation that highlighted events the 100 has participated in throughout the year. The theme was further expounded on by the message from Laurence Thompson, assistant communications manager with Parks & Crump, LLC. Thompson, representing Parks & Crump who were the speakers last year, brought the audience up to date on occurrences in our nation today affecting African Americans concerning civil rights and the role 100 Black Men and other organizations can play in improving the state of affairs for African Americans. His message was carried over in songs from noted vocalist Anthony Williams and his daughter Antavia, as they sang, “Heal The World,” “What’s Going On?” and “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand.” A collective of poets and artists, Black On Black Rhyme, furthered the message in their own way through poems, raps, and rhythms.

 
President Ronald M. Joe, Sr. thanked their corporate sponsors, Capitaleurocars, Juan Collins Mediation Services, LLC, Comcast, Cornucopia Wealth Management, LLC, Culley Meadowwood Funeral Home, Envision Credit Union, First Commerce Credit Union, Florida Blue, FAMU Foundation, The Jordan Davis Foundation, Parks & Crump, LLC, Tillman Funeral Home, Trophy King USA, Mrs. Helen Middlebrooks, and Mr. Selvin Cobb whose generous contributions helped make this year’s scholarships possible. Joe also acknowledged patrons Eric Friall, Wilbur Johnson, Ronald M. Joe, Sr., Rudy Slaughter, Tommeron D. Timmons, Hinson Realty, Heavenly Catering, and Palmetto Security as well as each of the 103 members and community members whose contributions afforded the chapter the opportunity to continue giving back to the community. President Joe stated, “Two years ago, the chapter awarded $4,000 in scholarships. Last year, we awarded $10,500. This year, with everyone’s help, we presented $20,000 in scholarships. Thank you and please continue to support us. We are looking for long term relationships as we mentor for a lifetime.” Rudy Slaughter announced the launch of a new scholarship program, Brilliant Gems, which will enable anyone to make donations towards the scholarship program 100 Black Men Tallahassee, Inc.

 
Mrs. Gwendolyn Lynn Thomas, principal of Griffin Middle School, received the 100 Black Men of Tallahassee, Inc. Appreciation Award for her assistance with the chapter’s Saturday Success Academy. The chapter honored its own with the following awards: Man of The Year- Wilbur Johnson, President’s Support Award – Ernest J. Lane, Father of the Year – Eric Friall, Collegiate 100 Man of The Year – Ryan Rigg and Mentee of The Year- Stephon Copeland.

 
For more information about the 100 Black Men Tallahassee, Inc., visit www.100BMT.com, or contact the president at 850-766-2210, ronaldjoesr@comcast.net. For info about Brilliant Gems, contact Rudy Slaughter 850-591-7076 or slau84@aol.com. The 100 Black Men Tallahassee, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c3 organization.