History
100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette
In 2008, a small group of African- American men in the Lafayette area began to meet to explore the possibility of creating a Lafayette Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.(100 BMOA). Some of the initial group included Melvin Caesar, Patrick Williams, Alton Trahan, Willie Smith, and George Williams.
The group began to expand and they voted to seek affiliation with 100 Black Men of America, Inc. In June of 2009, 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette, Inc., (100 BMOGL) was formally chartered by 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Melvin Caesar served as Founding president, and thus became an immediate member of the national board of directors of 100 BMOA.
The chartered board of directors in 2009 for 100 BMOGL included: Melvin Caesar, President, Patrick Williams, Vice President of Operations, Stephen Bartley, Vice President of Finance, Alton Trahan, Vice President of Administration, Shawn Wilson, Vice President of Development, Dr. Chris Williams, Vice President of Programs, Dr. Raphael Baranco, and Parliamentarian. John Milton, Esq., Chaplain, and Dr. Ernest Kinchen, Director(s) at Large.
The influence of this chapter is achieved through the cultivation of partnerships with law enforcement officials, political leaders, business and industry, and respected civic and professional organizations who share a similar passion for effecting positive change. The chapter’s membership is comprised of representation from the Greater Lafayette Region (i.e. Lafayette, Broussard, Breaux Bridge, Abbeville, Opelousas, Youngsville, and other towns and villages in the regions).
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
The group began to expand and they voted to seek affiliation with 100 Black Men of America, Inc. In June of 2009, 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette, Inc., (100 BMOGL) was formally chartered by 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Melvin Caesar served as Founding president, and thus became an immediate member of the national board of directors of 100 BMOA.
The chartered board of directors in 2009 for 100 BMOGL included: Melvin Caesar, President, Patrick Williams, Vice President of Operations, Stephen Bartley, Vice President of Finance, Alton Trahan, Vice President of Administration, Shawn Wilson, Vice President of Development, Dr. Chris Williams, Vice President of Programs, Dr. Raphael Baranco, and Parliamentarian. John Milton, Esq., Chaplain, and Dr. Ernest Kinchen, Director(s) at Large.
The influence of this chapter is achieved through the cultivation of partnerships with law enforcement officials, political leaders, business and industry, and respected civic and professional organizations who share a similar passion for effecting positive change. The chapter’s membership is comprised of representation from the Greater Lafayette Region (i.e. Lafayette, Broussard, Breaux Bridge, Abbeville, Opelousas, Youngsville, and other towns and villages in the regions).
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
100 Black Men of America
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 of improving conditions in their community. The group eventually adopted the name, "100 Black Men, Inc." as a sign of solidarity. These men envisioned an organization that would implement programs designed to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities. They also wished to ensure the future of their communities by aiming an intense number of resources toward youth development. These members were successful black men from various walks of life. 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 (1st African American to play in Major League Baseball).