100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Real Men Magazine July Issue by 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc.

July 2022

Real Men

Magazine

Walk A Mile With A Child Is Back

Aqeel Seals What A Man

Hoops After Dark

Cleveland Chapter Members attend 36th Annual Conference

Juan Ferebee Leaving a lasting effect on people

The Foundation of a Legacy

he overall concept of “The 100” began in 1963 in New York City when a group of concerned African American men began to meet to explore ways of improving conditions in their community. These visionaries included businessmen and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson. On October 2, 1986, representatives from 100 Black Men Chapters converged in Washington, DC, for a final meeting to establish a national organization. During previous meetings, they determined the structure, governance and model that would provide the most effective physical and financial resources to support the communities and Chapters. At the final gathering, the organization’s name – 100 Black Men of America, Inc. – was unveiled and attendees elected four accomplished, professional men from within their ranks to serve as its first and founding officers.

Each of the four were selected based on their demonstrated commitment to give back in a holistic way that addressed the educational, social, emotional, and cultural needs of youth in their own communities. They put their hands to the plow and did the hard work necessary to establish a foundation for a network of Chapters in their infancy, which today is an international nonprofit organization that positively impacts more than 125,000 youth across the United States and abroad. Throughout our history, the leadership of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. has been impeccable. The men chosen as national leaders all have contributed to the growth and strength of the organization. Their unique contributions have helped The 100 to become one of the premiere mentoring organizations anywhere. Consider the impact each leader has made. On May 27, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, this newly formed mentoring organization held its first national conference and introduced itself to the nation. Noted speakers included the late Alex P. Haley and the late Honorable Maynard H. Jackson.

On May 27, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, this newly formed mentoring organization known as 100 Black Men of America, Inc., held its first national conference and introduced itself to the nation. Noted speakers included the late Alex P. Haley and the late Honorable Maynard H. Jackson.

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100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. Leadership

BOARD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Lee V. Fields Jr. Chairman

Rodney L. Brown

Marketing Roz Keenen, Chair Brandon Curry, Co Chair

Gregory Lockhart Vice Chairman Brett Horton Esq Secretary Terrance McWhorter Director of Finance Anthony Peebles Director of Development Robert Ivory Director of Programs

Grady Burrows

Membership Rodney L. Brown, Chair

Brandon Curry Edwin Hubbard Jr. Darian Johnson Tyson Mitchell, Esq Dr. Ernest Smoot James W. Wade III

Lucien Blackwell Economic Empowerment Grady Burrows Education, Chair Health & Wellness Marvin Ferguson, Chair Mentoring Darian Johnson, Chair Dr. Ernest Smoot, Co Chair

Adrianne Sims Office Administartor

James W. Wade III Communications & Public Relations, Chair

National Chairman Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.

100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. 13815 Kinsman Road Cleveland, OH. 44120 (216) 354 - 0896 www.100blackmencle.org

Midwest District Representative James Duke

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ABOUT US

he 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is recognized as the nation’s top African American led mentoring organization. Every African-American person should have the ability to create the life they’ve always wanted and that’s what The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. provides.

REA

Committing ourselves to personify the type of people our children will look up to and emulate, we embrace the immense responsibility we have to our mentees and our communities. Providing these children another choice in life by being around likeminded individuals who have similar aspirations and goals. As we have grown The Network of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. more companies and programs have been formed to assist in delivering the education and empowerment needed to change the course of these children’s lives. This is done through the 100’s Four For The Future focus areas; Mentoring, Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Empowerment. Through the expansion, we’ve created 100 Black Men Chapters that delivers unique programs that address specific needs in local communities. Through 57 years of testing, we’ve created the 100’s successful model. A proven blueprint for mentoring and developing young people into future leaders by surrounding themselves with a positive network and giving them the opportunity that they may not have thought was possible. Our ongoing commitment to continuously improve and implement our programmatic initiatives is what drives us. Helping shape our mentees realize their potential by showing them how to be successful and significant, stressing the importance of obtaining and applying education, and providing them the tools that empower them for selfsufficiency, cultivated civic, and business leadership

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AL MEN

GIVING REAL TIME

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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR James W. Wade III MARKETING CHAIR Roz Kennon MARKETING CO - CHAIR Brandon Curry Rodney L. Brown Christopher Howse Franklin Martin Retonio Rucker LAYOUT DESIGN JW MEDIA GROUP

PHOTOGRAPHERS Grady Burrows Michael Copeland Bob Ivory Gregory Lockhart James W. Wade III Earl Williams

To get the online issues of Real Men Magazine send email to info@100blackmencle.org

FREE

CONTRIBUTERS Grady Burrows Dr. Ronnie Dunn Retonio Rucker The Real Men Magazine is the official publication of The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. Chapter. For any questions or feedback about the publication contact us at info@100blackmencle.org www.100blackmencle.org

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REAL MEN MAGAZINE The Voice of The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc.

ENHANCING THE

STRENGTH OF OUR NETWORK

100 Black Men of America’s greatest asset is its membership that comprises its chapter network. Although the network size is impressive, it’s how The 100 can leverage that network to deliver impactful outcomes for the youth, families, and communities they serve that counts. The continuous increase in the diverse composition of industries represented by these successful professionals enhances the network’s strength. Over the past five years, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. has implemented countless initiatives across our four programmatic pillars at the chapter level and national headquarters. The diversity of thought applied to creating evolving strategies and tactics designed to amplify the organization’s mentor’s, and volunteers’ work reflects the organization’s adaptability. We are proud to see chapters incorporate best practices and lessons learned from their peers. Successful programmatic initiatives have been replicated across our network with similar success and speak directly to the importance of a solid, diverse network of chapters focused on a singular mission. Numerous new challenges confronting our youth dictate that we remain flexible and responsive to stay relevant and effective in providing guidance and answers. Additionally, there is youth in cities across this country that do not benefit from the mentorship and programmatic services of The 100. We will grow our chapter network by identifying these areas and implementing plans to deliver our critical services and impactful outcomes. Our strength is in numbers and our ability to mobilize and grow our numbers is vital to meeting the needs of our youth, families, and communities.

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Do what

builds a better future. We are proud to support 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.

Dollar.Bank

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Letter from the Chairman One of my many joys in working with 100 Black Men is the concentrated focus of all our members to work without pause to serve our community. As the president of 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, I am excited about the direction and goals we aim to achieve in 2022. I understand there is no “I” in TEAM, and the only way we continue to grow is through the strength we pull from each member, who has committed their time, energy, and skills to serve our mentees and mentors. This is an exciting time for our chapter! I invite you to take some time to read our publication to learn more about the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. I hope what you see and hear will motivate you to partner with us as a member, donor, or volunteer. I believe you will find us to be an organization of men that not only care but an organization of men that do! As men, we are naturally compelled to provide for our family’s and communities’ welfare. The 100 Black Men of America is dedicated to building stronger men, loving families, and better communities by working together in a network of chapters worldwide. One of the goals we accomplished in 2022 was completing the rebranding of our website and providing a new structure of accessibility to our programs, membership, and volunteer opportunities. In addition, we aim to have a more engaging social media presence and ease of access to fundraising through Donations, Partners, and Sponsorships. These plans are well on the way. The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. takes our responsibility seriously to young people and the economic empowerment and health & wellness of the entire African American community. We achieve these goals through the following core “Four for the Future” programs, the foundation of our national organization, the 100 Black Men of America. The “Four for the Future” Programs are: Mentoring Education Health & Wellness Economic Empowerment The execution of these programs is made possible by your generous support. 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your contribution may be taxdeductible to the extent allowable by law. Thank you for being so supportive!

Lee V. Fields Jr. Chairman, 100 BMOGC Inc.

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JULY IS MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

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Letter from the Editor Gun Violence is something we must all find a solution to stop and these shootings. This is not a color issue; everyone is being affected by this. It was upsetting to see people blame Black people for every shooting as this Arizona candidate did. Blake Masters, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Arizona who former President Donald Trump recently endorsed, said on a podcast this year that “Black people, frankly” are to blame for America’s gun violence problem. “We have a gun violence problem in this country, and it’s gang violence,” Masters said on “The Jeff Oravits Show” in April. “It’s gangs. It’s people in Chicago and St. Louis shooting each other. Very often, you know, Black people, frankly. And the Democrats don’t want to do anything about that.” I can tell he is very disconnected from society; in Buffalo, New York, a white man shot Blacks; the police said the gunman, whom they described as an 18-year-old white man from outside the city, was motivated by racism. Furthermore, the Democrats are trying to push for strict gun laws. Gun control, or firearms regulation, is the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians. Most countries have a restrictive gun guiding policy, with only a few legislations being categorized as permissive. Safe and secure storage of your firearm is one of your most important responsibilities. It is a full-time responsibility. It would be best if you always secured your firearm and ammunition separately so that they are not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons. Whenever your firearm is not in use, keep it unloaded and locked. Your safety and the safety of others require that you always secure and store your gun in a manner that will prevent unauthorized access. Never leave a firearm unattended unless unloaded, locked, and secured. You never fool around or play with guns. Guns are dangerous when they are not handled or used correctly and can easily injure or kill you and those around you. There are no second chances with a gun and the rules for safe gun handling. On March 14, 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine signed SB 215, or the constitutional carry bill, into law. Gun owners 21 years old or older legally permitted to own a gun no longer need to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon. It will go into effect on June 12, 2022. Concealed carry is legal for residents with an Ohio Concealed Handgun License (CHL) and non-residents with a valid state license/permit. Residents 21 years of age and older can obtain a CHL. They must have completed eight hours of firearms training and meet other criteria to qualify. Current and former servicemen and women can get an Ohio CHL without paying the fee or a concealed carry class. In addition, activeduty military with a valid military identification card and documentation of successful firearms training that meets or exceeds Ohio’s requirements do not need to obtain an Ohio license. Non-residents can obtain a CHL if they work in Ohio. In terms of reciprocity, Ohio will honor permits issued by any state or jurisdiction.

James W. Wade III Editor

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HELP OUR STU IN OUR MENTO Make a Charitable Donation Today! We appreciate any gifts that will help us continue to fulfill our purpose and mission

he 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. relies on the support of members, individuals, volunteers, private foundations, and corporations to carry out its mission. Your contribution will make a difference in helping the 100 empower students while building stronger communities. The programmatic pillars of the 100 are Mentoring, Education, Economic Empowerment,

Health and Wellness, and Leadership Development. The organization has created programs that provide an environment where young people are encouraged and motivated to achieve. Our young people receive information that aids in their maturing into practical, selfsufficient, and responsible shareholders in the Economic and Social dynamics of their communities.

The organization has over 100 chapters located in the United States, Africa, England, and the Caribbean. There are over 10,000 members who include educators, corporate executives, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and men from numerous other professions.

Donate through Cash App at: $100BMOGC

Our organization is a 501(C)(3) and is recognized as the nation’s top African American led mentoring organization.

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UDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE ORING PROGRAM

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Cleveland Chapter Was In The House

100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Members attend the 36th Annual Conference The 36th Annual 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Conference took place June 16th - 18th in Hollywood, Florida. A few of the Cleveland Chapter members went to represent us. The three that enjoyed the experience were Chairman Lee Fields, Vice-Chairman Gregory Lockhart, and Programs Director Bob Ivory. This convention is where many focus on mentoring across a lifetime. This one-ofa-kind event connects America’s youth, conference attendees, and the surrounding community with

leading entrepreneurs, government officials, educators, clergy, business executives, nonprofit executives, and entertainers. “I had the pleasure of attending along with fellow Cleveland chapter members Lee Fields and Bob Ivory. Boy, am I glad I did! If you have never attended a 100 Black Men of America, Inc. national conference, you are doing yourself a disservice,” said Lockhart. Members and mentees came from the

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country, representing their cities and chapters. The energy, inspiration, and motivation one is infused with are off the charts. “To be present among so many positive black men and boys, engaging one another, networking with one another, and celebrating one another, touched me deep within my soul. It can be a transformational experience. The question is, how does the experience transform you?” said Lockhart. The conference theme was “Empowerment Through Mentoring, Education, and Civic Engagement.” There were workshops, training sessions, and leadership enrichment opportunities for men, women, youth, and collegiate 100 members. LaRese Purnell, a member of the Cleveland chapter, was the emcee of the State Farm Youth Competition and Awards Ceremony. The investment competition was established to help eradicate financial illiteracy among the youth of

color. Other highlights included the State of the 100 Report and Conversation with Chairman Dortch, a workshop on the Plight of Education, keynote speakers Rev. Jamal-Harrison Bryant and Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes, and seeing the exceptional work other chapters are doing. “So how did the experience transform me? Well, it reaffirmed the reason why I joined the organization years ago. I was reintroduced to the power of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and how it can be leveraged to help with the work of our chapter. I made connections I hope to turn into relationships. My desire to help make a difference in my community has never been greater. The pathways to make it happen are clearer than ever Continued on next page...

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before. The confidence to move forward no matter the obstacles is high. Working with others who share the same passion for seeing young people have the opportunity to grow and prosper is incredible. But it takes work, hard work. It takes giving one’s time, talent, and resources to make it happen,” said Lockhart. But the actual words of our national chairman, Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., “We don’t need scared negros; what we need is courageous men who are work-horses, not show-horses.” There is something to say about never forgetting your first. That was my impression after attending my first National Conference of the 100 Black Men of America in sunny, picturesque Hollywood, Florida. As a neophyte in this prestigious organization and one of the delegates representing the Cleveland Chapter,” said Ivory. He experienced three full days of non-stop synergy, energy, and well-formatted platforms. Each day and presentation comprehensively centered around the conference

theme: Empowerment through Mentoring, Education, and Civic Engagement. “From the moment I exited the plane in nearby Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until the final plenary session and black-tie award gala, I had the pleasure of being engaged and immersed around dedicated, skilled, and accomplished 100 Black Men members from coast to coast, north to south. The various sessions and workshops I attended throughout the conference, including but not limited to: “Leadership with a Global Footprint,”; “Racial Equity in Local Government,”; “The Plight of Education” and “Eradicating Violence in Schools, on College Campuses, and in Our Communities” were valuable in their content, delivery, and relevancy to the goals, objectives, and mission of The 100.” said Ivory. Under the devout and staunch leadership of National Chairman Thomas W. Dortch Jr., the conference flowed with a central mass of conscious-

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minded, forward-thinking members, all sharing and contributing the strengths and best practices of their chapters and how they holistically are impacting the lives of the mentees and committees they serve. “I was able to observe and at times digest in awe the myriad of programmatic intervention, curriculums, and outcomes of small, midsize, and large chapters from around the country, delivered with the passion and precision of each presenter,” said Ivory.

the Central Intelligence Agency, to name a few, the atmosphere of the conference was inspiring, eyeopening as well as a bastion of hope that the future of the organization and the youth it mentors is well positioned, well documented, and well supported,” said Ivory.

There was also an impressive representation of youth at the conference, many wearing with pride blazers branding the logo of their chapters as well as polo shirts and uniformed 100 regalia. The presentations of the mentees during the State Farm Youth Competition and Awards Ceremony displayed their multi-talents, oratorical skills, and utter excellence that exuded from our future young leaders. “I can only imagine the outstanding outpouring of enthusiasm within the walls of the Youth Summit that took place along with the dialogue from the session of the Collegiate 100. With national sponsors such as Amazon, Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, The US Army, and

The hotel where the convention was voted one of the top 10 resorts in Florida by Condé Nast Traveler Choice Awards 2018, The Diplomat Beach Resort, is ideally situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale along Hollywood’s Gold Coast. “So, in humility and sincerity, I can attest without hesitation that I will never forget “my first” 100 Black Men of America Annual Conference. I left the conference with unwavering resolve, resilience, new resources, and relationships to return to the Cleveland Chapter. With these tools, I am committed more than ever to joining my fellow 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland and its partners, collaborative and friends, to do all I can to help further its mission and uplift with time, treasure, and tenacity, our youth,” said Ivory.

Continued on next page...

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On Thursday, they had National Mentoring Training; this training is designed to certify all members in mentoring and train potential members (League of Trainers) throughout the organization to teach in their respective chapters and regions. The training will cover the History of Mentoring, The Relevance of Mentoring in Today’s Society, The Why in Mentoring, Mentoring the 100 Way Across A Lifetime, Current Research, The Impact of Mentoring, and How to Build Effective Mentoring Programs. Another exciting topic they tackled was Mental Health. Mental health is essential to overall health and refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health involves how we think, feel, act, and make choices. During the Covid-19 pandemic, heart and mental health risks are on the rise. Evidence shows that mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, can develop after cardiac events, including heart failure, stroke, and heart attack. These disorders can be brought on after an acute heart disease event from pain, fear of death or disability, and financial problems associated with the event. In collaboration with State Farm, the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. established and implemented the Dollars and $ense Youth Investment Competition to address and help eradicate financial illiteracy among the youth of color. This rigorous financial literacy program provided high school students with early opportunities to learn and apply best practice principles for saving and investing. Attendees will witness the finalists compete for their chance to win scholarships and earn the Championship title and trophy. The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. established and implemented the Brace B. Godfrey, Jr. African American History Challenge Youth Competition as an innovative, relevant, and exciting way for our mentees to learn about the trials and triumphs of their ancestors. Knowledge is indeed power! As our students discover for themselves the facts about the roles and contributions of their ancestors to the building and growth of America, they will be empowered to reverse the ignorance previously taught and reject any future erroneous teachings. Cleveland Chapter LaRese Purnell took part in this event. “I was truly impressed by the brotherhood and genuine camaraderie throughout the threeday conference. There were several memorable moments and highlights throughout the annual conference. I enjoyed the feeling of friendship displayed during the plenary sessions and networking opportunities, but the youth engagement was the most impressive. The conference agenda was chockfulled with informative discussions which further stimulated our interest in serving our communities across the globe,” said Fields. Thank you the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Leaderdhip for your hard work and efforts in putting this event together. We are truly fortunate to have you all on our team. Hopefully, you will be able to attend the 37th National Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

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EDUCATION

FOUR FOR THE FUTURE

HEALTH & WELLNESS 26

ECONOM Real Men Magazine

MENTORING

eadership encompasses all of the 100’s Four For The Future Program. Focused on igniting mentors, mentees, and community leaders worldwide, our leadership empowerment programs develop leaders throughout the 100’s Global Network. Preparing and equipping them by addressing critical issues and areas that specific communities are facing throughout the world. Each leader receives feedback from the members to help improve the effectiveness and impact of the 100’s program. This feedback gives the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. leaders a better perspective and understanding in teaching African American youth on how to make a positive impact in the world. This process is all done while delivering civic engagement throughout the country, making towns better than they first saw it.

E SECTION

MIC EMPOWERMENT 27

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WALK A MILE WITH A CHILD KICKS OFF FOR THE SUMMER

alk A Mile With A Child has started for the summer. Forest Hill Park was the opening park to initiate the program. The Cleveland Chapter of 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. has combined the Mentoring, Education, and Health and Wellness Committees to form this program and connect a nature walk in some of our local public parks with a health and wellness, science, and environmental education component to the mentoring experience. The walk is the brainchild of Cleveland Chief Magistrate Gregory Clifford, one of the founding members of the Cleveland Chapter, who has been mentoring young men for a long time. “African American male youth have a vitally important need to see, know, and be mentored by successful, mature African American men to help them open the doors obtaining success in their lives. The 100 Black Men is an organization committed to providing positive mentoring experiences for our youth,” said Clifford. With Clifford’s idea, 100 Black Men chairs Darian Johnson and Dr. Ernest Smoot leads the summer program. Each walk is unique. “ All mentees are encouraged to know and live by the 100 BMOGC Mentoring Program Affirmation principles - being ethical, excellent, proud, and united,” said Smoot.

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During the walks, the 100 Mentors and Mentees discuss essential life skills topics such as self-care and hygiene, educational success, finance and economics, and peer relations. Youth have time to discuss as a group and in 1-on-1 mentor/mentee pairings during the walks. The mentoring walks at the historic Forest Hill Park that expands from East Cleveland to Cleveland Hts. Because of the hiking trails around the recreational areas and through the natural habitat, we could

expose the mentors and mentees to some compelling examples of flora and fauna of northeast Ohio. We chose other parks around the county to provide various experiences and educational opportunities during our sessions. Invitations to participate in the program have been offered to the mentees in our programs, members, prospective members, and volunteers, along with their family and friends.

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Walk-A-Mile with A Child Schedule 2022 9:45am - 12:00pm Date June 25th

Location Forest Hill Park On Lee Blvd. near the Duck Pond and basketball court in East Cleveland, Ohio (near Brewster and the Forest Hill Historic District) Acacia Reservation Cedar Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124 Cleveland Lakefront Natural Preserve 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44108 North Chagrin Reservation 3037 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 3900 Wildlife Way Cleveland, OH 44109 Rocky River Reservation Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070 Edgewater Park (The Upper Edgewater West Shelter) Upper Edgewater Dr, Cleveland, Oh 44102

July 9th July 23th August 6th August 20th September 3rd September 17th Any questions, please feel free to call.

Darian Johnson, Chairman (216) 374-2393; Dr. Ernest Smoot, Co-Chairman (216) 308-1093 or Barbra Palmer (216) 338-5695

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Graduation Day For Some Mentees From Mound School

entoring in Schools has been a big part of the work. The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc has been proud of our success with our mentees. We were happy that some of our mentees from Mound School were recently graduated. Each student has a unique story to tell about the journey that brought them to graduation day. We celebrate the success of all our graduates and encourage them to read as a way to inspire their educational journey. In a ceremony in front of teachers, younger students, and parents, they received their certificates. A tradition that, for the past years, you’ve sat through and watched as people hugged and cried and thought, I’ll never be like that. Then, as you stand up and see your mentees in the program leave, you can’t feel anything but overjoyed to understand you had a small part in shaping their journey. After all, you’ve gone through some great moments with each other, and you begin to realize that you’re all in this together, despite your differences. Flashes of stories blast through your mind; funny anecdotes about stupid things you’ve done together; tales about pulling together as one when things seem too challenging. Then you realize it’s time to leave. Taking on a mentoring role can be scary, but when done correctly, it demands time and energy from both parties. But the collaboration can be fun and stimulating within a mentoring relationship. The mentee wants to learn and grow. The mentor wants to provide the proper amount of structure and support. But through the guidance and leadership of member Michael Copeland, the year ran smoothly despite challenges from COVID - 19.

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100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Wrapped Up Mentoring Youth At Wade Park School

By Grady Burrows 100 BMOGC Education Chair relationship with Wade Park School moving forward. Despite a change in the building’s principal, limited classroom space, and greater demand for tutors than supply, we have planted seeds that promise to bear sweet fruit in future years.

he 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. (BMOGC) is committed to improving the quality of life in Greater Cleveland and surrounding communities through education, mentorship, and service. For 25 years, the 100 has educated African American youth, believing that all youth, regardless of race and socioeconomic status, must have access to quality education. We provide these youth with a fun, individualized teaching approach that prepares them for school and life while building their creativity.

Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. Our goal is to work with parents, families, community partners, and schools to teach African American youth the tools needed to improve the world better. Beginning with early education, how the teacher nurtures your child’s talents will determine the path they will walk in life. Teachers are incubators that bring out the best in the child by stimulating their minds and inspiring them to do great things. Community and higher education partnerships open doors for our youth to have a better chance to enhance their talents and opportunities.

The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is recognized as the nation’s top African American-led mentoring organization. The Education Committee led by Grady Burrows has been working diligently to make a difference in young men’s life at Wade Park School this year. On June 2, 2022, The One Hundred Black Men of Greater Cleveland concluded its year-long commitment to Wade Park 3rd and 4th-grade boys on Wednesday, June 1. Throughout the year, we averaged six young men on Wednesday mornings, as we assisted the young men with improving their literacy skills, building confidence, and imparting advice. Dr. Smoot gave the young men books to take home for the summer and encouraged the boys to continue reading over the break to ensure that they keep their skills sharp. Each of the young men was presented with gift bags comprised of toys and treats as a reward for their participation during the school year. The 100 has laid the foundation for a promising

Getting a high-quality education has always been seen as one of the best ways to improve one’s social and economic prospects, especially for someone who is socially or economically disadvantaged. Black children are at an educational disadvantage relative to white children for several reasons, including lower average levels of parental education, a greater likelihood of living with only one parent, fewer resources in their communities as a result of incomebased residential segregation, and significantly, a greater chance of experiencing poverty. Education is an integral part of a better society. Some examples of education’s positive impact are that it helps decrease poverty because those living in poverty are much less likely to get an education.

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Picture from left to right: Thomas McMillan, Dr. Ernest Smoot, student, Grady Burrows, student, Brett Horton.

Education is what we need to break the cycle of poverty. Educating people can get a job and a steady income to support themselves and educate their children. Being educated can also help to promote more health within a community. Those educated can much more easily take the precautions necessary to protect themselves from sickness.In contrast, those living in poor countries or communities do not always have the resources or knowledge to protect themselves or others. Lastly, an equal education helps to provide equal opportunity, whether that be for both men or women or people of different ethnicities or backgrounds. With the increase in educated people comes a larger population that can support and contribute to the economy.

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HEALTH

Healthy

LIVING T

his traditional Greek Salad recipe is the real deal! I’m sharing everything I learned from my visit to Greece. This salad is easy, made with 7 simple ingredients and a no-fuss dressing of good olive oil and a splash of vinegar. Learn how to make it and serve it the Greek way!

Greek salad is low-calorie and nutrient-dense, also providing you with a healthy dose of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and iron. It also contains phytonutrients and antioxidants, which reduces the risk of health problems such as heart disease and cancer.

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“

You can serve this salad as a side for just about any of your summer favorites, like grilled chicken or grilled fish. Greek Salad Ingredients A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch. Olives of choice are Kalamata olives. Commonly used in Greek food, their salty, briny flavor is delectable alongside the feta and crisp veggies. Instead of slicing large tomatoes, cherry tomatoes because they release less water into the salad than larger tomatoes would. seed your cucumber to avoid making the salad watery.

Ingredients Dressing •¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil •3 tablespoons red wine vinegar •1 garlic clove, minced

A great salad will have a yummy jumble of veggies, olives, and cheese in each bite, so be sure to cut your ingredients into similar-sized pieces. Buy pitted Kalamata olives and leave them whole, and chop the feta into 1/2inch cubes instead of crumbling it. Aim for 1-inch squares for the bell pepper, cut the cucumber into thin half-moons, and simply halve the cherry tomatoes.

•½ teaspoon dried oregano, more for sprinkling •¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard •¼ teaspoon sea salt •Freshly ground black pepper

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COVER STORY

Mr. Juan C. Ferebee An impeccable dresser with a loving and compassionate spirit.

he 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. is full of men with various talents. One such man is Juan Ferebee, an employee of E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory who has a reputation for quality, sincerity, and trust. E. F. Boyd & Son, the oldest African American funeral home in Greater Cleveland and the oldest African American business in Cuyahoga County opened its doors in 1905. Ferebee is a good man with many great qualities. Happy with his life and the world around him, he is always willing to look out for others and help them. He seems to think positively and tends to smile and laugh more. You will know if a man has a positive attitude by how he carries himself. Real Men Magazine wanted to share some of Ferebee’s life and job duties; we intend to make the members and public awareness of the quality of members who make up The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. It is an honor for us to introduce Juan Ferebee to you. RM: Give us your job title and describe a little bit about what you do. I’ve been employed by the E. F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home and Crematory family for over 30 years as a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Certified Crematory Specialist. My official title is the Manager of our Care Center, and I wear many hats, managing the funeral home operations daily.

RM: Name some of your passions and what you enjoy in life. As odd as it may seem, I am passionate about the death care space and restoring loved ones who have died. I love what I do and the way I can give back and help grieving families. RM: What inspired you to do the work you do. Growing up, I wanted to pursue three career paths: being a firefighter, working for the FBI, or becoming a mortician. My passion for giving to

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THE FEREBEE FAMILY

others propelled me to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Embalming is genuinely an art, sometimes underappreciated and seldom understood. It demands courage, commitment, patience, and a deep spiritual connection to a higher power to do the work. RM: How did you get involved with 100 Black Men On various occasions, I was approached by my good friend and mentor, Franklin Martin, who encouraged me to join the 100 Black Men of Cleveland organization. Finally, after deep reflection and guidance from Mr. Martin, I decided to join the organization. My decision made me realize the importance of giving back and standing with these committed brothers. Ferebee was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He has a twin sister, Juanita, and one of six siblings. A lifelong member of Everlasting Baptist Church located at 579 Eddy Road, where DeWitt Chappell, Jr. is the pastor. After graduating from high school, Juan Feree with Marcella Boyd Cox

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Ferebee received his Bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. RM: Name some challenges you have faced with your job Working in the death care field has its challenges, especially with babies and children. It is something I never want to get used to, but it gives me a sense of peace to help families gain some closure after suffering a loss. Working in the death care industry in this day and time during Covid-19 has been an eye-opener. It has taught me to be more aware of significant relationships with my family. We are all in this together, and making a difference by just saying hello to a person can make their day or encourage someone. The pandemic has taken its toll, but hopefully, we can all be better due to it. RM: Tell us about your hobbies and family My family consists of my wife Deane, our son Christian, our daughter Logan, and our Bernese Mountain dog, Kai. Some of my hobbies include enjoying watching sports. My favorites are basketball and football. I also enjoy music, especially gospel and jazz. I also want songs and sermons by the late Bishop G.E. Patterson of Memphis, TN.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 46

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Aqeel Seals Real Men Magazine strives to introduce our members to our membership and the community. This gives you a chance to find out about who they are. In this issue, we feature Aqeel Seals, a Strategic Workforce Planner within the Caregiver Office of The Cleveland Clinic!

RM: Tell us a little bit about your job? I love what I do… It is fun and autonomous. The only job was where it’s mandatory to think BIG and outside the box. My role is to forecast and identifies the future workforce challenges in healthcare. As a Workforce Planner, my part is to explore ways in which the organization can continue achieving progress during workforce shortages, retention struggles with the great resignation, pay inequities, and a variety of other factors that impact the current and future state of the workforce as it relates to healthcare. I collaborate with hospital leaders throughout the enterprise to identify staffing shortages, capacity, and capability gaps and then build strategic plans to address those gaps. Who is Aqeel Seals? I’m a Black Man, a Christian, a husband, a father, a man of integrity, a change agent, and an all-around genuine man. I enjoy life, so I typically do what makes me happy! The pursuit drives me to make my name mean something. I desire to leave a long-

lasting legacy in this world and make it a better place because of something I did, said, or exemplified. My values are non-negotiable, and that’s what makes me who I am! How did you find out about 100 Black Men who sponsored you to become a member? My first time hearing of the 100 was around 2013, I used to organize a men’s brunch, and one of the speakers for that brunch was Terry Maynard. I didn’t know much about the 100 at that point but fast forward to about 2018, I started working with the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity on various events, and I met Marvin Ferguson. We’ve worked on several projects together and discussed 100 Black Men during that time. Based on the work I was doing in the community to improve the health of underserved communities, he suggested looking into it. Which I’m glad I did! Over a few months, I did my research and found my “why” and asked if he’d sponsor me, and he did. Thank Marv! Who has inspired you in life? I have drawn inspiration from both people and different circumstances throughout my life. Life has a 2-fold way of teaching…What you don’t learn through instruction, you learn through experience.

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So I am inspired by seeing and experiencing people live purposeful and driven lives. But if I had to pick, it’d be my children and mother. My mom had overcome some significant hurdles in life and picked herself back up when everyone counted her out. So, if anything watching her live it out has taught me to believe in myself even if no one else does. As for my kids, my son is seven, and my daughter is 9. They keep me so hopeful, youthful, and forward-thinking. Their perception of life and how they enjoy it even at this age constantly impacts how I live daily. What challenges did you overcome to get where you are today? That’s a good question that I can answer both personally and professionally. Personally, having the opportunity to go to college changed my life’s trajectory being from inner-city Cleveland. Overcoming some of the situations and circumstances that presented themselves back when I was growing up, I had to have a guardian angel! I chose a different route when many of my friends stood on the corner. The college experience broadened my life’s horizon and network and was

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I took the initiative to get to the plate when the rest of the team declined it. That project was to research a Cleveland Clinic expansion and report to the Cleveland clinic executive team in 6 months. The enterprise agreed with my recommendation to expand. That project catapulted my career at Cleveland Clinic to where I am today. My advice is to welcome the obstacles because when you find yourself out of your comfort zone, it is then that you develop the most! What are your hobbies? I have a lot of hobbies…I ride my Victory Motorcycle, go fishing, coach my son’s baseball and football teams, golf, do DIY projects, travel, and, more recently, I’ve gotten into road biking. What’s your life purpose? I was created to serve, so I freely give my time, resources, energy, strengths, and skillsets. I don’t believe in coincidences, so if we cross paths and you’re in need, and I can help, better think I will. I aim to deposit something in every person I meet that puts them in a better place than before they met me. Share some things about your life and family? integral in building the foundation that I stand on today. Professionally, as black men, we are expected to work twice as hard, and I have used that to my advantage by allowing my work ethic to set me apart from the rest. That has allowed me to gain exposure and get noticed by the people who can elevate my career. The ability to seize the moment comes from within. Getting over the fear of failure was a significant challenge for me. I wanted to build a solid professional reputation, but I discovered that it’s not about whether you will fail but when and how you recover after failure. This fear initially caused me only to take calculated risks, safe projects, and things I knew I would succeed at. As a result, I wasn’t challenged, so it hindered my development more than it helped. One of my mentors presented a challenge and said to take a stretch assignment but do it scared. Well, that assignment came, and

I am beyond blessed with the life I have!!! My wife and I will be celebrating 11 years of marriage this year. We have two kids…a son (7), a daughter (9), and a chocolate labradoodle! We love traveling and try to take at least two family trips a year. We also cherish our time at the dinner table just talking about our day or what’s happening in the world, and it’s fascinating how intellectual my kids are, how they perceive what’s going on, and how they think things can be fixed. Just the table talk by itself is valuable, and it’s something they know look forward to. What keeps you grounded? My faith in God, family, values, Security, and defined happiness. Take life a moment at a time, control what I can, and don’t worry about what I can’t change!

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100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland in The Summer Bridge Closing Cere

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d, Inc. Participated emony

Pictured 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. with mentee’s (photo by Shadiye Jackson)

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The Need for People of Color to Vote Your Vote Counts, Please Make a Difference By Retanio Aj Rucker, Esq. On a Wednesday in June of 2020, I talked with one of my former coworkers. She is a Black female. No, she is not a millennial. We were talking about the then-upcoming 2020 U.S. Presidential election. The choice, excluding any Independent candidates, was mainly between the Democratic candidate, Joseph R. Biden (now President Biden), and the Republican candidate, Donald R. Trump (the former President). My co-worker said she would not vote in the 2020 Presidential election. I asked her to explain. Neither candidate, she said, is a good choice. I wondered whether she was alright with four (4) more years under the current President. She responded that the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know. While I respect my former co-worker’s position, I must admit that it leaves me somewhat perplexed. The Civil Rights Movement did not make a difference because People of Color refused to participate in the process. Instead, People of Color became angry, made speeches, protested, registered to vote, and voted to achieve the change they sought, i.e., got into “good trouble.” The Civil Rights Movement showed that People of Color were together in their beliefs and that their minds were set on one (1) thing--equal participation in the American Dream. This show of solidarity had to be respected; thus, the changes were achieved as part of the Civil Rights Movement. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age. By not registering to vote and refusing to participate in the voting process, People of Color are abdicating their responsibility. They are also weakening the solidarity that People of Color once showed gained from the Civil Rights Movement. If People of Color do not register to vote and then vote, individuals who harbor beliefs contra People of Color will continue to be elected to political office, including judicial positions. For example, many state legislatures have passed restrictive voting laws based on the narrative that there was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 Presidential election. Despite this narrative being proven false, these same legislatures have drawn new electoral maps ensuring that the status quo remains undisturbed. Such laws are an unfortunate response to the outpouring of votes by People of Color in 2020 looking for a change that would positively affect the ninety-nine percent (99%). This example is symptomatic of a more significant societal issue, i.e., systemic racism. People of Color are past trying to obtain their Civil Rights. Instead, if systemic racism is to end, People of Color must procure their Human Rights. Until People of Color are seen as human beings, they will never be able to take their rightful place as equal citizens of this country. The time has come for People of Color to shoulder the responsibility for change again, i.e., to be the catalyst for change. It is time for People of Color to unite concerning their beliefs and goals. It is time to not only be angry, make speeches, and protest, but to register to vote and vote. It is time to elect individuals to political offices and judicial positions who understand that People of Color are Human beings deserving of the ability to participate in the American Dream as envisioned by the words “We The People.”

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Racial Profiling and Stop-and Frisk: What’s in a Name? By Dr. Ronnie Dunn Racial profiling is a form of discrimination typically associated with law enforcement, security personnel, or those exercising some type of police powers that uses a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, or some other cultural identifier as the primary basis of suspicion that as a member of a particular social group, such individuals are more likely to be engaged in some kind of criminal activity or in possession of contraband, in the country illegally, or pose a public or national security threat. Despite the fact that this practice may occur in a variety of contexts, including airports, border crossings, consumer shopping, traffic stops, and pedestrian stops, which includes “stop-and-frisk,” and may focus on members of different cultural groups, they all represent forms of racial profiling. The Expanding Nature of Racial Profiling Prior to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the term racial profiling primarily referred to the stopping of motorists of color, particularly blacks and Hispanics, by police for minor traffic violations. Since 9/11, the use and focus of racial profiling has broadened to include persons perceived to be of Middle-Eastern descent or Muslim suspected of being potential terrorists, as well as an increased scrutiny of Latinos believed to be “illegal aliens.” And given the recent proliferation of states enacting “Concealed Carry” and “Stand Your Ground” laws, and a number of high profile cases involving the use of deadly force by private citizens against unarmed persons of color, particularly young black males, racial profiling has taken on yet another dimension.

The shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year old African-American male by neighborhood-watch volunteer, George Zimmerman in a gated-community in Sanford, Florida in February of 2012, thrust the issue of racial profiling into the national spotlight and once again on the public agenda. After the shooting, Congressional hearings were held on the subject for only the second time in 11 years. This case brought the issues of race and the freedom of movement of people of color, among the most persistent and seemingly obstinate social dilemmas in American society since the

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colonial period, to the forefront of the public consciousness and national debate. Martin’s death at the hands of Zimmerman, a private citizen, which was ruled as justified, is atypical of most such racially-charged cases involving the shooting death of an unarmed

is an inherent value embedded within America’s founding principles. And although the rights and freedoms of citizenship did not extend to all social groups at the nation’s inception, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution were specifically intended to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, “previous condition of servitude,” national origin, or religion, fall heir to the rights, liberties, and privileges of fullcitizenship. However, as noted by Kimberly Phillips in her discussion of the circumscribed movement of blacks during the Jim Crow era and the Great Black Migration, “geographic mobility may have been a hallmark of freedom for former slaves, but white planters (and ar too often northern whites as well) perceived black mobility as a crime and not as the right of free labor.”2 And as Thomas Sugrue notes in emphasizing the significance of the automobile in helping blacks’ escape the indignities of Jim Crow, “blacks who could afford to travel by car did so as a way of resisting the everyday racial segregation of buses, trolleys, and trains…driving gave blacks a degree of freedom that they did not have on public transportation or in most public places.

person, in that such shootings are typically police-involved shootings, such as the September 20, 2013 shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell, a 24-year old black male by a white, Charlotte police officer. Liberty, Mobility, and Race Germane to the issue of racial profiling is the freedom of mobility, which is an essential element of the concept of “liberty,” and a hallmark of citizenship within a democratic society. The ability for all citizens to move about freely in public space unfettered by undue laws, restrictions, or impediments, whether imposed by the state, social custom, or private citizens,

And ironically, despite the ultimate successes of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Freedom Rides, and the many other gains of the Civil Rights Movement, including the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Topeka Board of Education (1954), and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, all of which challenged and ostensibly outlawed segregation and discrimination in public accommodations, including public and interstate conveyance, the problem of freedom of mobility for blacks and certain other socially identifiable minority groups persists in the U.S. The Names and Numbers Behind the Issue this problem is most evident in the growing body of empirical data and research on involuntary contacts or stops of citizens by police. While the issue regarding the frequency of involuntary contact between citizens and law enforcement, federal agents and security personnel can occur in a variety of contexts, including airports, U.S. Continued on next page...

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border crossings, and consumer shopping, research in this area has primarily focused on police traffic stops of motorists, and more recently on pedestrian stops. The occurrence of each of the latter types of police stops of citizens happen with such frequency that distinct idioms have been coined to identify each, “DWB” “Driving While Black or Brown,” and “Stop-and-Frisk,” respectively. And although much recent media attention and public debate has been focused on “Stop-andFrisk as of late, particularly in light of a federal judge’s recent landmark ruling that the New York Police Department engages in a pattern and practice of discriminatory policing, i.e. racial profiling, in Floyd, et al. v. City of New York, nationally the most frequent incidence of police/ citizen contacts take place in the context of traffic stops.4 While the total number of persons 16 years of age or older that had a face-to-face police encounter with police has declined from 45.3 million in 2002 to roughly 40 million in 2008, the most recent year for which this data is available, 59.2 percent occurred as a result of a traffic stop or accident, as did more than half of all police/citizen contacts in 2002 and 2005 as well.

The second most common reason for contact with police in 2008 was reporting a crime or problem at 20.9 percent, down from 23.7 percent in 2005, and 26.4 percent in 2002. According to NYPD data obtained and reported by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), 5,081,396 New Yorkers were stopped-andfrisked by police between 2002 and 2013, of which nearly 90 percent were found to be “completely innocent.” Of the 4,984,100 persons stopped and interrogated by police between 2003, the first year the data was given by race, and 2013, 52 percent were black, 30 percent were Latino, and 10 percent were white. With the exception of large metropolitan areas primarily located in the Northeast region of the country, such as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, where a significant portion of the population uses public transportation to commute, which would also entail some degree of walking from the mode of transit to ones destination, motor vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles) are the primary means of transportation for the majority of persons above 16 years of age throughout most of the nation. Whereas the Northeast has more persons per household than both the South and

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the Midwest, it has fewer drivers and vehicles per household than other regions of the country while the West and Midwest have the highest vehicle ownership rates. And though only 19 percent of the average annual person trips per household in 2009 were made traveling to or from work (or conducting work related business), 83 percent of all person trips for any purpose were made using a private vehicle compared to 10 percent pedestrians, 2 percent using mass transit, and 4 percent that used some other mode of transportation. Among workers 16 years of age and above, 86 percent drove to work in a car, truck, or van, 76 percent traveled alone, while 5 percent used public transportation to commute to work, and about 3 percent walked to work. This pattern represents a long-term trend reflecting the automobile’s dominance as the primary means of transportation, which has increased ontinually from 1960 through 2009. Given these factors, it is reasonable to conclude that the majority of involuntary police/citizen encounters occur within the context of traffic stops on the nation’s streets, roads, and highways.

Conclusion Despite the courts’ expansion of the use of police discretion and provision of the ostensible legal basis to support racial profiling, and while legislation has been introduced but not enacted at the federal level, a number of states and local jurisdictions have enacted legislation prohibiting racial profiling or “biased policing,” as preferred by law enforcement. As of 2011, there were 25 states that had enacted some form of racial profiling legislation.21 The majority of such legislation prohibits the practice by law enforcement and requires the collection of demographic data on persons stopped. Some jurisdictions require the collection of demographic data on all involuntary stops/ contacts ith citizens, including all traffic stops whether it results in a traffic citation or merely a warning, as well as all pedestrian stops. Other jurisdictions only require the collection of data on traffic stops. Additionally, some jurisdictions also collect data on searches conducted during a stop and their outcome.

The comprehensive collection and analysis of demographic data on all involuntary police/ citizen stops is optimal and will enable law enforcement, public officials, and the public to know who is being stopped, detained, questioned, and searched by police and whether any significant disparities exist relative to the percentage of the relevant population each respective social group represents. In regards to traffic stops, it will also help determine not only those formally processed into the criminal justice system with the administering of a traffic ticket as a result of a traffic stop, but also identify the demographics of those effectively diverted from the criminal justice system by being given a warning. This is an area in the study the racial profiling where very little data exists and more research is needed. Lastly, comprehensive data collection will provide demographics on pedestrian stops relative to stop-and-frisk. As the boundaries and use of police powers and discretion are expanded given the heightened security posture in American society, and as racial and ethnic diversity increases in the nation throughout the 21st Century, America will likely witness a corresponding increase in the incidence of police–citizen encounters involving allegations of racial/ethnic profiling, particularly among people of color. Therefore, it is imperative that the nation strive to address the issue of racial profiling. Federal legislation was initially introduced in 1998 and has been reintroduced in both houses of Congress in each subsequent year. The bills currently before Congress, entitled the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA), do not distinguish between racial profiling and stop-and-frisk, nor do the campaigns of the major national civil rights and civil liberties groups working to eradicate the practice, i.e.,. The NAACP, ACLU, and The Rights Working Group. Therefore, from a policy perspective it would be more pragmatic, efficient, and likely effective to address racial profiling, in all its various contexts and forms, of which stop and-frisk is but one, collectively, rather than attempting to identify and combat the issue as two distinct social problems plaguing the nation.

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ON THE MOVE MICHAEL COPELAND Michael Copeland is a native of Cleveland, OH. He attended Central State University, where he majored in intervention education and graduated Magna Cum laude class of 2011. His passion was to help children who struggled in school as he did. After graduating from college, Michael took a job with Ohio Guidestone as a mental health specialist. Copeland has now been promoted to The Education, and Youth Services Administrator and is responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, coordinating, and controlling youth programming services, exercising independent judgment and decision-making authority as delegated, including a budget, policies, procedures, and staff supervision. The Education and Youth Services Administrator works closely with the Deputy Director to ensure maximum conformance with institutional regulations and State of Ohio Childcare licensing provisions. His Essential Functions include: 1. Directs the day-to-day operations of the youth program with oversight of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, Community Wraparound Initiative, Prevention Youth Program, the Say Yes/CMSD initiative at area schools, and summer programming. 2. Responsible for all reporting requirements to funders; managed aspects of the program’s financial situation with the Finance Department’s assistance. 3. Provides direct supervision to program staff and directs their professional growth. Schedules the responsibilities of the team; conducts regular and timely performance evaluations. 4. Participates in community/public relations activities as needed; participates in professional or programrelated networks, etc., as appropriate. Maintains strong partnerships with local schools. 5. Provides outreach and recruitment efforts for programs consistently. 6. Works with the Deputy Director to develop and evaluate department policies, procedures, and outcome measures; conducts program evaluation periodically; incorporates goal-setting into the program design. Copeland will also attend departmental meetings and contribute to departmental and organizational decision-making through active participation in the process. “I miss the direct contact with all the kids I worked with but nothing more,” said Copeland. In the fall of 2011, Michael received a call from Nashville, TN. In Nashville, Michael had the opportunity to work for three different schools, one charter, and two public schools. He started teaching Health and PE at Boys Preparatory Nashville, an all-boys charter school, for two years. After leaving the Charter school, Michael went on to public school to teach Character education at Bordeaux Enhanced Option Elementary. While teaching at Bordeaux, Michael realized there was more to deal with in schools than just teaching. There were a lot of barriers to learning for students, like hunger, homelessness, and many other issues. After his term at Bordeaux, Michael took an administrative role as Director of Family resources for Pearl Cohn High school during his last three years in Nashville, dealing with all those same barriers to learning and connecting families to resources.

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While in Nashville, Michael crossed into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Kappa Zeta Lambda graduate chapter. He transferred to the Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Cleveland, OH. Michael is also a member of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. In October 2016, Michael Married the love of his life Dr. Joi Stallworth Copeland of Atlanta, GA. Michael and Joi resided in Nashville/Clarkesville, TN, until they received a call to come to Cleveland in May of 2017. Before leaving Nashville, Michael was honored to receive the Martin Amechor employee of the year award and the national community schools award of excellence for serving students and families in high-needs areas.

Copeland enjoys the mentoring aspect of the 100 BMOGC, “We are so needed in this community! I truly believe “what they see is what they will be!”. We give these young men hope and exposure that will truly impact their lives,” said Copeland. He enjoys Praying, time with God, and family, golfing, mentoring, reading, and traveling.

In Cleveland, Michael is currently in another Administrative role as Site Coordinator over wraparound services for Mound STEM School through his lead agency University Settlement which services the community’s needs in Slavic Village Cleveland. Michael was in that role for five years and then was promoted to Education and Youth Services Administrator. He loves what he does.

Michael and Joi now reside in Cleveland Heights, Oh, and they have a beautiful daughter named Michelle Joi Copeland, Born on June 23rd, 2019. Michael started partnering with Life Obstacles 1490AM in the 2018- 2019 school year, where they did a phenomenal job working with 4th and 6th-grade programming. In the summer of 2019, shortly after his daughter was born, he received a tremendous opportunity to be a guest with the Life obstacles radio show on 85.9 FM. He then was offered to go on Monthly with Life Obstacles 1490 AM every first Saturday for his education hour. The Michael Copeland Education Hour has been running on the air for almost three years. Michael is passionate about helping others in his community and raising awareness of our children’s barriers in inner-city schools.

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Remembering Gerald Dwight Thrist, former Public Relations Chair SUNRISE 7-13-55 – SUNSET 1-16-22 Gerald Dwight Thrist departed this life on January 16th to be with the Lord. He was preceded in death by his father Eugene, mother Marjorie, and sister Barbara. Leaving to mourn his passing, cherished “Love of his Life” Dannette Render, sister Brenda (Thomas), brother Grayling (Desma), nephews Jamal (Andrea), Jeffrey (Priscilla), great-niece, and two great-nephews. Full of life, fun, and laughter, a huge giving heart, and always impeccably dressed, he will remain in our hearts forever. His presence will be missed and remembered by a very long list of loving friends from Caine Ave., Robert H. Jamison, JFK High School, 100 Black Men, Lords of TLOD, Affinity Missionary Baptist Church, an immediate circle of close family-like friendships crossing the globe and his two fur babies Tigger and Tiki. Heaven gained a new ANGEL!

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY!!

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100 Black Men of Greater Cleve

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eland, Inc.

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The City of Cleveland will launch Hoops After Dark powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, a six-week NBAstyle basketball tournament and development program designed for men ages 18-26. The program is part of Mayor Justin Bibb’s comprehensive violence prevention strategy. Tryouts for the eight-team league will take place on Monday, June 27th and Wednesday, June 29th at the Cudell and Zelma George Recreation Centers. Tournament action runs July 11th through August 19th. “Public safety is our number one priority, and we are focused on creating opportunities for our residents to participate in a variety of programs providing intervention and education,” stated Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “We are excited to launch Hoops After Dark in the community and are so grateful to the Cavs for their ongoing support of our efforts to stop violence before it starts.” This initiative has re-imagined the formerly successful midnight basketball program by using sports and wraparound services to create community, offer customized interventions and mitigate participation in crime. Hoops After Dark powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers participants will be required to attend life skills workshops an hour before each game. The workshops include a variety of topics such as job readiness, financial literacy, gun safety and more. Participants will also be connected to services that support optimal wellness in the areas of emotional, social, spiritual, physical, environmental and occupational health. The basketball format will include NBA-style activities such as tryouts, a draft, a championship game and other celebratory events. “The Hoops After Dark initiative to give young men in our community positive direction and opportunities to help them find the right path is the type of program we enthusiastically support,” said Cavaliers CEO Nic Barlage. “We are investing in the future of these men and in our city and neighborhoods.” The six-week tournament action begins July 11th through August 19th with two games and practices held each week at the Cudell Recreation Center (1910 West Blvd.) and Zelma George Neighborhood Recreation Center (3155 MLK Jr. Dr.) Both rec centers have refurbished basketball courts courtesy of the Cavaliers. Games will be played on Monday and Wednesday nights with required personal development workshops beginning one hour prior to each game. Tryouts to make the roster for one of the eight Hoops After Dark powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers teams will take place from 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June 27that the Cudell Neighborhood Recreation

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Center and on Wednesday, June 29th at the Zelma George Neighborhood Recreation Center. Transportation to these locations will be provided from six neighborhood recreation centers: Cleveland Estabrook (4125 Fulton Rd.) Gunning Park (16700 Puritas Ave.) Glenville (680 E. 113th) Frederick Douglass (15401 Miles Ave.) Cleveland Thurgood Marshall (8611 Hough) Fairfax (2335 E. 82nd St.) *Participants must arrive by 8:00 p.m. to take advantage of transportation opportunity.

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RAY A. FREEMAN IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH EDUCATION 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. member representing education

he 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. feels it’s important to welcome our new members for a few reasons. First, it shows professionalism and good leadership skills—the need for everyone to get familiar with both old and new members. The 100 seeks to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create environments where our children are motivated to achieve and empower our people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of our communities. This month we are featuring a new member Ray A. Freeman. In 2015 Freeman was appointed to the Warrensville Heights City School District as a school board member with a failing urban school district, receiving a State grade of F. Ray took the position to change a school district and the three communities that the schools represent in Warrensville Heights, North Randall and Highland Hills. In the 1st year, Warrensville Heights schools revived a State grade of D, and in year 2, Warrensville Heights City School pushed its academic standing to a C+ being one of 2 state districts of 614 to reach such a challenge as an urban district. In 2017 Ray ran for the notable National School Boards Association NSBA in Virginia, a topic of discussion for the Biden Presidency; a letter that the NSBA sent the Whitehouse asking for help with parents at school board meetings. Ray won his election on the NSBA Council of Urban Boards Of Education, better known as CUBE being one of 14 public school board members in the US to represent his local school district and to have a seat at the table nationally to discuss the best practices and ideals of education in our 50 State Associations. In my three years as a Steering Committee Member on the Council of Urban Boards of Education, CUBE initiated the EQUITY definition and what it means to have it in all of our Urban and Non-Urban districts throughout the US beyond. Ray has worked with many Public School Advocates and Leaders to give their perspectives on Race and Racism in Public Education for the book. Ray has been moving up the Educational Leader ladder in the last five years until Ohio School Boards Association decided in October 2021 to separate from the National School Boards Association due to the letter sent by Ray’s organization former organization, NSBA, to President Biden along with 31 other State

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Associations leaving the National School Boards Association of its political implications of the letter. In December of 2021, Ray had to nationally step down from his Steering Committee Member position. Since January 2022, over 22 Public School State Associations started a Newly formed National School Boards Organization named Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) and the Urban Boards Alliance UBA to help Public School Districts have a place to get information on challenges, changes, and best practices. Freeman co-chairs the Urban Boards Alliance lead with its first National Schools Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia. Ray will play a virtual role in this New Organization to try and make a difference in Black and Brown children’s lives throughout the county. Ray is also President of the Tri-City Democratic Club for the residents of Warrensville Heights, North Randall, and Highland Hills. An organization started in 1982 as a grassroots club to fight the racial inequalities in the cities in the early 80s. The Consortium of State School Boards Association (COSSBA) is an organization that offers at no additional cost the Urban Boards

Alliance (UBA) programming to support school board members in creating educational strategies and sharing best practices that address and improve the educational outcomes of students within challenging environments. Freeman grew up in Warrensville Heights, OH. During this time, Warrensville was predominantly white 1965. Because there were few black families, everyone knew his name. Freeman was intelligent, handsome, and athletic. The girls loved him, and the teachers adored him. He was a rising high school football star in the early 80s. He played on varsity as a sophomore and won several awards. He was a youngster full of aggression, but he was able to channel his energies into positions of civil engagement. He was known for having a giving heart. He understood that his help came from others who believed in his ability to succeed. Upon graduation, the Denver Bronco’s recruited Freeman as #25. He played with the Denver Broncos Developmental Squad. Since being back in the city that he loves so much, he developed a real passion for children in the school system. Wanting to make a change, he Continued on next page...

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decided to run for a seat on the Warrensville Heights School Board. Freeman won his first election to the Warrensville School Board in 2015. He was elected president in January of 2016. Although Freeman no longer carries this title, he has increased his awareness and activities to serve the public. Freeman helped negotiate two of the most significant tax abatement agreements: Amazon North Randall and ABB in Highland Hills. Freeman is a member of the newly formed Urban Schools Alliance with 19 public school state associations in the United States. He’s an Advisory Committee Member for Cleveland Clinic Southpointe Hospital, and he is a new member of 100 Black Men of Cleveland. The UBA recognizes that these challenging environments and issues are not unique to only urban school districts and encourages participation from rural and suburban school districts. Founded by state school boards associations in late 2021, the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) is a non-partisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members. COSSBA is a voluntary, non-partisan federation ofstateschool boards associations that are focused on: giving support for thework of state school boards associations through adequate staff collaboration, networking, and shared resources for more Networking opportunities for local school board members and association board members to enhance the effectiveness of their work. Tracking and advocating for federal education issues and policies impacting local school boards and public education aligned with a statement of core values and beliefs of COSSBA Federal judicial advocacy impacting local control and public education “In 2018, I met a few members, and I talked to them about the work 100 Black Men organization does. I felt like being a National leader for black boys and inspiring and engaging them to be better humans on the earth. And then, I read their Mission and Vision statements and knew I wanted to be a part of the 100. Also, during my orientation, I met the 100 Black Men National Chair Thomas Dortch in Atlanta, Georgia, at a National School Boards Association/ Council of Urban Boards of Education conference; we sat at the same table,” said Freeman.

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One of 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. finest

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Want To Rent A Slingshot? The 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. member Brandon Curry has embarked on a new entrepreneur’s adventure. Royalty One, LLC is a new-age, veteran-owned vehicle rental company focused on providing a quality and entertaining rental experience by offering a selection of premium automobiles and recreational vehicles for your transportation pleasure! You can now call Royalty One for your transportation needs, especially when you need to get around in a Slingshot. The Slingshot is federally classified as a three-wheeled motorcycle. Most states classify it as an Autocycle, meaning only a valid driver’s license is needed to drive the vehicle. That’s how this vehicle is classified, pointing to its combination of automobile and motorcycle features. On the one hand, its controls (steering wheel, pedal, dashboard) and seating are very car-like. On the other, in New York state (but nowhere else), you must wear a full-face helmet and have a motorcycle

license to operate it. There’s also that big ol’ 20x9 wheel in the back powered by a 1,799cc engine rolling a belt drive. And unlike any other street-legal vehicle, the Slingshot sits so low that you can reach out and touch the ground as you’re tooling around town. Drivers and passengers get a front-row seat to every twist and turn. With a low center of gravity, open cockpit, and one rear wheel launching you forward, the Slingshot is built to turn the open road into your most incredible adventure yet. Originally conceived as a prototype designed by a group of Polaris engineers in 2010, Slingshot was born to stand out and deliver a ride like no other. We formed a team of skilled designers and engineers to push the boundaries of what we thought possible. Today’s Slingshot offers a new level of exhilaration, styling, performance, and shared adventure that speaks for itself.

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What started as a project to attract thrill-seeking drivers with no access to off-road trails (i.e., city dwellers) quickly developed into a well-balanced machine with a lightweight chassis and a single-wheel rear-drive system. Though it resembles a sports car, the Slingshot is a reverse trike, with two wheels in the front and a single drive wheel in the rear. It has a steering wheel and twin bucket seats. The driver and passenger wear motorcycle helmets and use seatbelts. Although it is better known for its four-wheeled off-road vehicles like ATVs, Polaris has struggled to develop this three-wheeler with a fierce appetite for performance. The Slingshot might become your favorite weekend road runner with its open-air concert. You might never feel closer to the road than in this vehicle, technically classified as a three-wheeled motorcycle. The open-air cockpit, underpinned by a high-strength steel spaceframe, sits 5 inches above the ground. That’s half the size of your average Philly cheesesteak. And despite Slingshot’s list of performance parts, its most impressive aspect is its featherweight imprint. The Slingshot’s calling card is duality, imparting lust or revulsion depending on the onlooker but always sparking chatter. Why the fuss? Because the Slingshot is flamboyant. And because three-wheeled vehicles have always been side-eyed, viewed as compromised in a world where the good stuff is laser-focused. Slingshot turns heads the moment it leaves the showroom. But a Slingshot is never complete without the owner’s personal touch. Start your personalization journey by adding one of our four accessory series, or pick and choose the style, comfort, and performance accessories to make your ride a true reflection of you.

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100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Real Men Magazine July Issue

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