AGENDA

Thursday, June 17, 2021 

Confronting the Challenges to a Quality Education for our Youth

Overview: What are we doing to remove barriers to academic achievement caused by poverty and promote resilience? According to the American Pediatrics Association, childhood poverty is the most pressing issue facing our nation’s youth. Children are the poorest members of our society. As the nation navigates through the most devastating health crisis in modern times, the residual impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic further destabilize low-income families, resource-strapped schools, and local communities to an extent that has yet to be calculated. During this open-panel discussion, participants will engage with panel experts and listen to strategies that can be implemented to support achievement and promote resilience. Participants will then be able to transfer the knowledge learned during this workshop to other communities.

Diversified Access to Capital: Where to Find It, How to Get It, and How to Keep It

Overview: Given the difficulties around diversified access to capital for African Americans who are starting or expanding their small business, many entrepreneurs struggle to get their businesses off the ground. “In a 2018 report, the Small Business Association found that personal and family savings are the most common sources of financing for all entrepreneurs, and among Black and Latinx founders, the reliance on those funds is even higher.” In addition, according to CNBC, some Black-owned banks are unable to provide the financial support minorities need due to the banks’ own deficiency of capitalization. During this workshop discussion, panel experts will explain these challenges and examine various strategies for accessing diversified capital.

Health Care 2.0 – COVID-19 and Hypertension:  How to Overcome This Dual Threat in The Black Community

Hypertension is arguably the most important risk factor that impacts the lives of Black Americans. High blood pressure serves as “the canary in the coal mine” to foreshadow the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and associated complications, such as heart attack and stroke. This silent killer that is so common among Black people in America it puts us at increased risk of poor outcomes secondary to severe COVID-19 infection. Strategies for controlling blood pressure must be embraced by Black communities, particularly while under the threat of COVID-19.

Participants in this workshop will learn about the heart disease and stroke warning signs that Black people should persistently monitor, and how to work with their health care provider to control and help normalize their blood pressure.

Barbershop Forum: Saluting Past Legends: Preparing the Next Generation

Overview: In the book, The Miracles of Mentoring, Thomas W. Dortch Jr. reminisces on a familiar scene where African American men discuss the issues of the community while sharing knowledge and opinions with youth. The barbershop has always been somewhat of a cultural rite of passage, where wisdom is shared with the next generation of men. During this Barbershop Forum, a panel of influential men will discuss various topics from systemic racism, COVID-19 and the Black communities, the impact of past legends, and the strategies to prepare the next generations of leaders.

Wrap-up - What Are Our Actions?

Overview: As we conclude Day 1 of the Virtual 35^th Annual Conference, Chairman Dortch and Vice Chairman Dotson will provide their closing actions for 100 Black Men chapters, Collegiate 100 students, youth, and communities served. 

Friday, June 18, 2021 

2021 Dollars and $ense Youth Investment Competition
                                   

2021 Brace B. Godfrey, Jr. African American History Challenge Youth Competition

Women of Influence: Powerful Women Leading During A Time of Challenges and Triumphing Over All

Overview: Throughout our history, women have influenced and changed the world by adding their intellect, determination, passion, and strength to so many efforts. The strength of a woman can allow her to keep pushing towards greatness. During this workshop discussion, a panel of powerful women will share upon their experiences and provide insight into how they are able to triumph over the many challenges that are occurring today so other women can ACT: Adapt, Challenge, and Triumph. 

Saturday, June 19, 2021 

State of The 100

Report from Our Youth Forum 

Overview: During this Youth Forum, mentees will get to showcase their talents, report on their accomplishments, and express their concerns around the pandemic.
                             

Becoming A Part of the Solution and Not the Problem (Collegiate 100)

Overview: As quoted by Leroy Eldridge Cleaver, “If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.” There are some people today who have become a hinderance in the fight towards creating a better society for all. However, there are those individuals who do triumph over the obstacles and challenges they face. During this workshop, a panel of young adults will discuss the direct actions they are taking to push change within their communities. 

Young, Gifted & Black (Youth)

Overview: “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”, written by Nina Simone and Weldon Irvine, became one of the most triumphant anthems of the Black Pride Movement in the 1970s. So many boys and girls grow up not fulfilling their potential or opening up their hearts to the gifts that lies within. Many people become comfortable in their situations and lack the courage to move forward. During this workshop, a panel of young adults will share their success stories on how they became gifted while being Black and encourage attendees to open up their minds to all the possibilities the future may hold.

Youth Workshop