100 BLACK MEN OF MACON AND MIDDLE GEORGIA

1. 100 BLACK MEN OF MACON AND MIDDLE GEORGIA “Rites of Passage Youth Academy”

2. 100 Black Men of Macon and Middle Georgia • “Forty years after the Civil Rights Act, African American students on the average are the weakest in the United States, at all ages, in all subjects, and regardless of class level”. John H. McWhorter, Losing the race: Self-sabotage in Black America. • “Black Boys used to get advice and guidance from their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and other men within the community. Today, many Black Boys don’t get advice from positive men because very few positive men are involved in their lives.” Darryll Starks, Clifford Adika Trimble,Jr.: 12 Things Every Black Boy Needs to Know

3. Program Purpose • To expose a select group of African American Male teenagers from single-parent households to an array of cultural, academic and life-coping skills over a twelve month period. • Designed to: • Enhance self-awareness • Provide an understanding and appreciation of their heritage. • Provide model for responsible and gentlemanly-like conduct while interacting with the opposite sex. • Assist in developing a mindset and desire to become responsible and contributing members to the community at-large.

4. Selection Process • Potential African American students from single parent households between the ages of 12 and 14 years old will be selected from the following counties: • Bibb • Jones • Crawford • Twiggs • Monroe • Peach

5. Selection Process, con’t • Criteria: A committee comprised of 100 Black Men of Macon and Middle Georgia members will interview the candidates and make the final decision. • Recommendation from Middle School Counselors. • Student expressing their desire to participate in a two-paragraph written correspondence to the committee. • Personal interview with the committee.

6. Targeted Activities for Participants • Academic Development • Effective studying skills. • How to maximize test results. • Reading for better comprehension. • Language usage/communication skills.

7. Cultural Awareness • Visits to museums • African American History • Music Appreciation

8. Life Coping Skills • Managing personal finances. • Avoiding and managing conflict. • Personal Health and Fitness. • Dressing for Success. • Interviewing skills. • Interacting in a responsible and gentlemanly-like fashion with members of the opposite sex. • Responsibility to your family and your community.

9. Camp Mikell - Weekend Retreat

11. Camp Mikell - Weekend Retreat

12. Parent/Guardian Role • Expectations of Parent/Guardian • Re-enforcement of program requirements and concepts. • Program participation • One-time $25.00 participation fee • Responsible for participant’s transportation to and from training sessions. • Execution of Parental Agreement.

13. Goals of the program • Improve academic performance. • Increase health and fitness knowledge. • Increase financial intelligence. • Increase community involvement. • Enhance self-confidence and self-esteem. Upon completion of the program, participants will have an open line for contact with the 100 Black Men of Macon and Middle Georgia and encouraged to use it. Periodic contact will be made by the 100 Black Men with the student and parent/guardian throughout their high school years.

14. Next Steps • October 21st • Parents and Counselors Information Session • November 6th • Registration forms due • Forms on-line at 100blackmen-macon.com • November 12th and 17th • Student Interviews Contact email: Gisele Harris maconga100bm@aol.com