By Richard J. Cornelius Sr. | Special to The OBSERVER
The Collegiate 100 of CSU Sacramento and the 100 Black Men of Sacramento Inc. (BMOS) held its 35th Annual Youth and Parent Conference at Sacramento State’s University Union on Feb. 22.
“Futureproofing Our Youth and Communities,” this year’s theme, is accomplished by preparing and equipping our future leaders and parents with emerging advances in technology, economic empowerment, professional development and critical life skills.
This is achieved with a focus on the 100 Black Men of America’s Inc. mantra, “Four for the Future,” based on pillars of mentoring, education, economic empowerment, and health and wellness.
The vision of the 100 is to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create environments where our children are motivated to achieve, and to empower our people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans. Our values are based on respect for family, spirituality, justice, and integrity.
Nearly 400 attendees heard from 100 BMOS President Richard Cornelius, Vice President Kaifa Yates, and Bishop Parnell Lovelace from Center of Praise Ministries, who provided the invocation and a spiritual and uplifting message to honor the Lord and his Will.
Bishop Lovelace, a past 100 member, was provided a pin as an honorable member of the 100 BMOS. Sac State President Dr. Luke Wood offered a video welcome and his support for the local 100 BMOS and the Collegiate 100.
The 100’s Saturday Mentoring Academy showcased their mentees in the robotics program with a live audience demonstration of coding and activating the robots that moved based on mathematics and spoke to the crowd, bringing much laughter.
The AI music program and Collegiate 100 programs also were showcased. Everyone then broke into smaller groups to rotate through workshops on financial literacy, AI music production, and how to get a scholarship.
Mentees 17 and older attended the workshop on public speaking put on by 30-year Toastmaster Briant Howell.
Parents engaged with more than 30 local community resource organizations, which were there to support the event, provide elevator speeches, and participate in a panel discussion answering parents’ questions.
After the workshops, lunch was served, raffle prizes were given away, and Mayor Kevin McCarty arrived and spoke informally with the program attendees, answering questions from the young at heart and those a bit more seasoned. The Collegiate 100 taught those that were willing to do the “wobble.”
Program financial sponsors included Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center (Jackie Rose, CEO); National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Sacramento Chapter (Jennifer Willis, president); Sacramento Public Library; U-Can (Go to College) – Dr. Alan Rowe; SMUD; the City of Sacramento; NAACP; Sacramento State; and other community organizations.
All community resource organizations and their donations towards the raffle prizes.