100 Black Men of Canton continues community outreach

By Courtney Warren

Recently, the 100 Black Men of Canton gave back to children for the holidays. Visits with mentees and children at Luther Branson Elementary School, Camden Elementary School, McNeil Elementary School, and Myers School of Art focuses on their motto, “What they see is what they will be.” 

The 100 Black Men of Canton, Inc., an organization focused on mentoring and helping the community. 

Executive Director Dr. Leroy Lacy said, “Our number one goal is mentoring and making sure the national office works with us in keeping track on what we do for our students. That’s what we do every year to try and change the climate on students and their study habits and grade habits.” 

Established in 2003, the Canton chapter is one of at least 118 local chapters across the United States and London with the vision of upholding the four focus areas established by the national organization. With their first focus being mentoring, these gentlemen go into the elementary, middle, and high schools to mentor students. 

“Under our second focus, education, we go into the schools and talk with superintendents and principals about educating our students and getting them what they need. The third focus is health and wellness, which goes on as students are not healthy, are not able to get their lunches, and are not studying. We do that in the community for our senior citizens as well. For our last focus, economic development, some of the city leaders come to us and ask for different items that they are trying to bring into the city and to see what we think about certain things,” Lacy said. 

The organization’s mentorship reaches beyond the city of Canton and extends to schools across Madison County including Camden Elementary School, Canton Elementary School, Huey L. Porter Middle School, Jimmie M. Goodloe Elementary School, Nichols Middle School, and Reuben B. Myers Canton School of Arts and Sciences. Along with mentoring students, the 100 Black Men awards 10 scholarships to two deserving students at Canton High School, Germantown High School, Madison Central High School, Ridgeland High School, and Velma Jackson High School. In the past, they have given over $150,000 in scholarships.  

“While mentoring is our number one feature, we still intend to give scholarships and if the climate allows, we still intend to go on field trips,” Lacy said. Each year, the 100 Black Men of Canton sponsors events for community outreach, mentoring, and recruitment such as a softball team during summer, a catfish rodeo, an annual gala, and field trips for mentees.