The Collegiate 100 at Prairie View A&M University welcomed eleven new members into the fold on November 11 in a special induction ceremony held in the Johnson Phillips All Faith Chapel on the campus.
Mr. Darnell Joseph, Chairman of the Board Emeritus for the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc., speaker for the event, challenged the young men to get involved in the various programs sponsored by the Chapter. “You have a great opportunity to make a difference in your community, and the same time a chance to associate with a prominent group of men who can be your mentors,” Joseph said. “Welcome you to the 100 family and are counting on your support.” Joseph is the Network and Communications Manager, Texas Southern University.
The new members include: Richard Atiba, Charles Babaoye, Cedarious Barnes, Giovanni Burton, Breenen Jackson, Armand Kincade, Keith Lewis, Sterling Mark, Ameer McMillan, Ryan Richard and Ryan Turner. The young men come from varied backgrounds and cultures and have come into the chapter like a quiet storm.
The Collegiate 100 was founded in 1993 by Frederick V. Roberts Esquire, then Director of Student Activities at Prairie View A&M University. Upon acceptance by the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. and approval by the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and the Collegiate 100 became an international organization for college men.
Following a few year hiatus, the Collegiate 100 was rechartered on March 10 at Prairie View A&M. With the induction of 22 members on April 18, the organization began its formal work at the university.
Commenting on the need for the organization, Roberts stated that the image of the Black college men needs to be enhanced and this organization shows the positive and productive activities they are engaged while in college.
Some of the chapter’s activities include participation in the Mentoring the 100 Way project of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. twice a month, where members work with 30 kids (8-12th graders), providing information on college life and tutoring Math and Science. The chapter is participating in the In-School Mentoring Programs at CyFair Elementary, where they provide pep talks on college and life in general. The chapter also established the Boys2Men Mentoring program for freshmen 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 raise awareness of the disease. The chapter also teamed up with Highland Heights Elementary in Acres Home for the HISD Real Men Read Program, where for the past month, the team read to the students.
One major project for the Collegiate leadership was the founding and establishment of the 100 Collegiate Women of America, Inc. at the university. On November 10, 41 women were inducted to that organization. Plans are underway to expand to other campuses in 2012.
Finally, the chapter adopted several housing complexes inNavasota,Texasto make Christmas a happy one for the children. The chapter collected and spent some $500 for toys and clothing for approximately 150 kids. The project was led by Dymonique Burton, Vice President, Patrick Gray, Treasurer and Travis Reed. Several members of the 100 Collegiate Women of America also assisted with the project. [Burtonand Reed along with the Advisors, Dr. Clement Glenn and Frederick Roberts distributed the gifts to the complexes on December 20, 2011.]
The members are currently preparing for the 2012 Male Youth Summit to be held inBeaumonton February 25, where some 800 young men will get to hear about life and how to become responsible men in the community. The chapter will also serve as host for the 2012 Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship pageant and National Male Leadership Summit on April 11-14.
Travis Reed, a senior architecture and construction science student is the president for the Collegiate 100. The chapter advisers are Dr. Clement Glenn and Frederick V. Robert Esquire.
For information on the Collegiate 100, contact collegiate100pvamu@gmail.com
