Black Meetings & Tourism - 100 BLACK MEN OF LOUISVILLE HOSTED ITS FIRST NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE GALA

Industry Briefs
100 BLACK MEN OF LOUISVILLE HOSTED ITS FIRST NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE GALA
Raised Nearly $50,000 to Support Local African American Youth Enrichment On Feb. 25, 2023, 100 Black Men of Louisville - a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life within the communities of metro Louisville and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans, hosted its first Night of Excellence Fundraising Gala at The Seelbach Hotel Hilton Louisville. The nonprofit's first ever gala held during Black History Month raised nearly $50,000. Proceeds from the evening will be used to complete and establish the first-ever 100 Black Men of Louisville brick and mortar location. Among several other uses, the new location will serve as a gathering place for mentees and mentors to meet in person. "A Night of Excellence is just one of our organization's events in 2023," said Reggie Gresham, 100 Black Men of Louisville's president. "In the coming year, we will continue to expand existing programs and launch new ones to support the Black youth community in Louisville." During the event, 100 Black Men of Louisville honored 13 Black iconic men and women including: · DeVone Holt , CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky · Phillip Baker , District 6 Board Member, FYSC worker in JCPS, member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. · Freddie Brown , Chestnut Street YMCA diversity inclusion chair · C.J. Carter , barber, mentor at Newburg Middle School, Realtor · John Hill , Kentucky horse trainer · David James , Deputy Mayor for Mayor Craig Greenberg Administration · Daniel 'DP' Price , Simmons College of Kentucky, Girls Basketball Team head coach · Dr. Kish Cumi Price , Louisville Urban League president and CEO · Daryle Unseld, Jr., CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentucky, senior master sergeant · Anthony Walker , recruiting and retention senior enlisted leader for the Kentucky Air National Guard · Dr. F. Bruce Williams , senior pastor of Bates Memorial Baptist Church · Sediqua Reynolds , CEO, Perception Institute Other recognitions included Deshawn Price receiving the Member of the Year Award, Michael D. Griffin, M.Ed., MSW, president and CEO Devonshire Smith Diversity and Education Solutions (DVS), as Partner of the Year, and Kevin Shurn, president at Superior Maintenance Co. and Superior Manufacturing Co. as Outstanding Member of the Year. Curated by Splendid Events, LLC, one of Louisville's top event planning companies, the evening was emceed by WAVE 3 News' host Dawne Gee and featured Ken Howard, adjunct professor at Bellarmine University and philanthropist as the guest speaker. The program started off with special performances by Tré Gaines, new and upcoming R&B artist from Louisville and 100 Black Men of Louisville's mentee. Final Draft from America's Got Talent headlined the Gala and DJ Reggie Regg provided entertainment for the after party. Guests enjoyed dinner and dancing. Sponsors included Matrix Integration and OraStripdx. More information on 100 Black Men of Louisville can be found at 100bmol.org. More About 100 Black Men (100bmol.org) The overall concept of the "100" began in New York in 1963 when a group of concerned African American men began to meet to explore ways they could improve conditions in their community for young males. The group eventually adopted the name, the "100 Black Men" as a sign of solidarity. These visionaries were business and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson. Subsequently, this idea was duplicated in other cities and to date there are 118 chapters worldwide. The mission of 100 Black Men of Louisville , Inc. today, is to improve the quality of life within local communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.

Industry Briefs

100 BLACK MEN OF LOUISVILLE HOSTED ITS FIRST NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE GALA

Raised Nearly $50,000 to Support Local African American Youth Enrichment

On Feb. 25, 2023, 100 Black Men of Louisville - a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life within the communities of metro Louisville and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans, hosted its first Night of Excellence Fundraising Gala at The Seelbach Hotel Hilton Louisville.

The nonprofit's first ever gala held during Black History Month raised nearly $50,000. Proceeds from the evening will be used to complete and establish the first-ever 100 Black Men of Louisville brick and mortar location. Among several other uses, the new location will serve as a gathering place for mentees and mentors to meet in person.

"A Night of Excellence is just one of our organization's events in 2023," said Reggie Gresham, 100 Black Men of Louisville's president. "In the coming year, we will continue to expand existing programs and launch new ones to support the Black youth community in Louisville."

During the event, 100 Black Men of Louisville honored 13 Black iconic men and women including:

· DeVone Holt , CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

· Phillip Baker , District 6 Board Member, FYSC worker in JCPS, member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

· Freddie Brown , Chestnut Street YMCA diversity inclusion chair

· C.J. Carter , barber, mentor at Newburg Middle School, Realtor

· John Hill , Kentucky horse trainer

· David James , Deputy Mayor for Mayor Craig Greenberg Administration

· Daniel 'DP' Price , Simmons College of Kentucky, Girls Basketball Team head coach

· Dr. Kish Cumi Price , Louisville Urban League president and CEO

· Daryle Unseld, Jr., CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentucky, senior master sergeant

· Anthony Walker , recruiting and retention senior enlisted leader for the Kentucky Air National Guard

· Dr. F. Bruce Williams , senior pastor of Bates Memorial Baptist Church

· Sediqua Reynolds , CEO, Perception Institute

Other recognitions included Deshawn Price receiving the Member of the Year Award, Michael D. Griffin, M.Ed., MSW, president and CEO Devonshire Smith Diversity and Education Solutions (DVS), as Partner of the Year, and Kevin Shurn, president at Superior Maintenance Co. and Superior Manufacturing Co. as Outstanding Member of the Year.

Curated by Splendid Events, LLC, one of Louisville's top event planning companies, the evening was emceed by WAVE 3 News' host Dawne Gee and featured Ken Howard, adjunct professor at Bellarmine University and philanthropist as the guest speaker. The program started off with special performances by Tré Gaines, new and upcoming R&B artist from Louisville and 100 Black Men of Louisville's mentee. Final Draft from America's Got Talent headlined the Gala and DJ Reggie Regg provided entertainment for the after party. Guests enjoyed dinner and dancing. Sponsors included Matrix Integration and OraStripdx.

More information on 100 Black Men of Louisville can be found at 100bmol.org.

More About 100 Black Men (100bmol.org)

The overall concept of the "100" began in New York in 1963 when a group of concerned African American men began to meet to explore ways they could improve conditions in their community for young males. The group eventually adopted the name, the "100 Black Men" as a sign of solidarity. These visionaries were business and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson. Subsequently, this idea was duplicated in other cities and to date there are 118 chapters worldwide. The mission of 100 Black Men of Louisville , Inc. today, is to improve the quality of life within local communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.