For Jerome Walker, co-founder of 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc., seeing the community’s youth trapped in cycles of miseducation, incarceration and crime inspired him to want to make a difference. Reflecting on the founding of the Syracuse chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Walker said he saw local youth lacking “direction or a sense of purpose.”

“(Adults in the community) wanted to do something but weren’t sure what to do,” Walker said. “This gave them a vehicle to get involved in volunteerism and help shape the future for our young people.” 

100 Black Men of America Inc. carries the motto: “What they’ll see is what they be.” Founded in 1963, with its national headquarters in Atlanta, its mission is to “improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African-Americans.” The community service organization currently consists of more than 116 global chapters, with more than 10,000 members spread across the world. 

The Syracuse chapter was founded in 2006 by Walker and Walter Eiland. 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. has helped organize summer camps and wellness initiatives, along with financial literacy and mentorship programs.  

One of its more popular programs is “Saturday Academy,” held Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Syracuse Academy of Science High School. Teaching elementary and middle schoolers, the program aims to help students develop emotionally, academically and socially. The curriculum includes classes on black history, economic empowerment and life skills, along with traditional tutoring services.  

“It helps the young people’s confidence when we let them know that they come from a DNA of greatness,” said George Lynch, an instructor at the academy. “A lot of students leave with a lot of insight, self-love and self-awareness. They start to love themselves because their history is far greater than what society teaches us.”  

Lynch said he leads his classes as an open conversation. He encourages his young students to discuss topics such as handling conflict and saving money. He said the structure of the course gives them an opportunity to develop their own thoughts and share ideas with the group.

“These young people are the future,” Lynch said. “They dictate where we’re heading as a people. We should want to equip them with the best tools to navigate society.”  

Walker leads the black history class at the academy. While many traditional curriculums begin “African-American history” with the Emancipation Proclamation and end with the civil rights movement, Walker said this class attempts to offer a more expansive view into history. 

The lessons discuss much earlier time periods, exploring ancient kingdoms like Egypt and Mali alongside prominent historical figures such as Mansa Musa and Cleopatra. Walker said he wants to emphasize the importance for kids of understanding their history.  

“Our history has to be told in its entirety,” Walker said. “Once a people lose their history, they no longer exist.” 

With classes such as these, the Saturday Academy aims to provide students a positive representation that they may not encounter throughout the week, said Drake Harrison, president of the 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. He added that it’s important the academy provides support to students who may not receive it during the regular school year — to how to be a good citizen, husband, brother.  

Programs such as these aim to advance the organization’s legacy of service and mentorship.  

“We’re all responsible for giving back and pulling someone forward,” Harrison said.  

As a recently-elected president of the chapter, Harrison’s goals are to continue building the organization by developing a strong relationship with the community, continuously guiding youth.

“It takes 100 black men to raise 100 young men,” Harrison said.

Published on February 3, 2019 at 10:03 pm