100 Members Drew Thomas and Karl Nichols spearheaded the charge for the 100 Black Men of Austin to volunteer at the 2021 American Heart Association Heart Stroke Walk. The 100 was also a sponsor of the annual event and walked to fight cardiovascular issues and hypertension in the Black Community.
Fall 2021 serves as the inaugural year for the launch for The 100 Black Men of Austin, Inc.’s Cultural Competency Initiative. The initiative, part of its mentoring and education programs, will provide culturally relevant books to 100 kindergarten teachers in underserved communities across Austin. The goal is to increase literacy, make reading fun for kids, and support teachers by providing resources to engage with their students.
Book titles were identified in partnership with Black Pearl Books – a local, minority-owned bookstore. Schools in underserved communities including East Austin, Del Valle, and Pflugerville were identified, and kindergarten teachers from the respective schools were contacted and invited to participate.
Each book bundle includes seven children’s books that provide a culturally relevant perspective in which kids can relate, as well as a book for teachers (co-authored by a UT professor and Texas State professor who collectively teach bilingual, bicultural early childhood education) that focuses on agency, racism, and learning in the early grades.
Other community partners have joined in to support the Cultural Competency Initiative, whose goal is to do this each year while annually adding the consecutive grade level until all grades at the identified elementary schools have a classroom library that represents the students they teach.
“It’s important for children to see themselves in literature. Our goal is to make reading fun for our children,” says Karl Spencer, President, 100 Black Men of Austin, Inc.
Teachers came to Black Pearl Books July 31, 2021, where they also received a backpack, puzzle, $50 gift card, and Black Pearl shirt to support and enhance their teaching efforts in the classroom.
AUSTIN, Texas — 100 Black Men of Austin is on a mission to empower the next generation of leaders in communities of color.
Llyas Salahud-Din along with members of the 100 Black Men organization welcomed students at Texas Empowerment Academy back to school.
“Every year for the students this is a very memorable,” said Llyas Salahud-Din.
On the first day of classes at the academy, 100 Black Men members formed a line of encouragement outside of the cafeteria. It was a moment filled with smiles, hand claps and elbow shakes to celebrate students on their first day.
Saladhud-Din says while it’s a fun time for everyone on campus, it’s an impactful experience for the students to see professional men of color support them.
Through its mentorship program, the organization works with the academy throughout the school year to provide aid and scholarships.
Group member Karl Spencer says seeing Black men in a positive light isn’t the norm in communities of color — a statistic he wants to change by being an example for the youth to see.
“It kinda goes back to our motto ‘What they see is what they will be.’ A lot of times here in Austin we are all spread out throughout the city and they don’t get to see a lot of men doing great things, especially Black men. We try to make it a point to let them know that, ‘Hey, we are here, we love you and we support you,’” said Spencer.“By being consistent and being on campus for the students to hang out with us, we’re just broadening their opportunities and understanding of what they can become,” said Saladhud-Din.
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This upcoming school year is very important to the students and The 100 has made donations and plan to volunteer at these events. The Colony Park Neighborhood Association and Black Women in Business are hosting Back to School events to provide backpacks and supplies to children in East Austin in the month of August. Please support by making a donation or volunteering!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/colony-park-back-to-school-bash-tickets-162093396713?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR1qx_UNqTcmEjpjnHbGhR-jDcRqR8JJZjWCOB6jkRgITwbe5iuqrjbOfek
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-kNoxDCyRX_fTFgMNGgGO0JMLuwDvEc9FyK2zlwFXEdhX3g/viewform?fbclid=IwAR21wM-pzExQnFGZb5pDTe9Y3tCMbz5Resb8lf9E_fuk46ELxo2EaHG5u84
This past weekend, The 100 had the opportunity to paint the Texas Empowerment Academy Bluestein Drive campus ahead of the students return for the new school year.
“What They See is What They’ll Be”
