100 Black Men of Chicago Mentors Teens in South Suburbs

Norman Parish | As of Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Jared Higgins used to skip classes about three days a week as a student at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Ill.

 Last semester, however, the teen said he was absent just two days. The reason for his improved attendance: the 100 Black Men of Chicago mentoring program.

 “My mother said I needed some structure,” said Higgins, a 16-year-old junior from Homewood. “She was right. And I like it.”

Higgins is one of roughly 150 African American male teens being mentored by 100 Black Men of Chicago. Since the mid-1990s, the group has provided mentors who specialize in a variety of skills and academic subjects.

The group works with the teens in four different Chicagoland locations including for the last three years, one at South Suburban College in South Holland.   

 Higgins participates in the group’s program at the college’s center at 16333 Kilbourne St., Oak Forest.

  “We want to promote education,” said Fred Carter, a retired pharmacist who oversees the south suburban program. “We also want to help teens to be good citizens.”

 The program comes at a time when black male teachers are absent from most U.S. classrooms.Black men are about 2 percent of teachers in the public education system, according to recent studies.

  The program especially helps youth in female-headed households – places that are often absent a positive older male role model, Carter said.

In the 100 Black Men south suburban program, regular Saturday sessions run from September through May.

 Volunteers range from accountants to lawyers to doctors.

 “We are trying to bring as much positive black male imagery as we can,” Carter said.

 Kristopher Steward, 31, a ComEd engineer and former Quentis Bernard Garth Foundation scholar, the non-profit arm of the Chicago Citizen Newspapers that issues college scholarships to high school students, is volunteering because he wanted to give back.

 “I am surprised at how focused some young men are in the program,” Steward said.

 The program not only promotes education but also teaches how to respect the opposite sex and others, good manners, speaking skills and a host of life skills, including how to tie a tie and how to behave when approached by police.

 “We customize our program accordingly to help these kids,” Carter said. “We also help students who want to learn trades. College is not for everyone.”

 On Saturday, the suburban group conducted mock job and college interviews with the mentees.

 Participants learned about the importance of speaking clearly and even giving a firm handshake.

 At one point, one mentor imitated entertainer Jay Z for a teen interested in the music industry.

 “This has really improved my work ethic,” said Higgins, who added that mentors have showed him the importance of an education.

 Higgins, said he is more disciplined and looks forward to attending the program.

 Maurice Purdie, 15, has a similar view.

 Purdie, a sophomore at Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, said the program has motivated him to maintain a 3.5 grade point average.

 “It helps motivate me to do my homework,” said Purdie, a three-sport athlete. “It helps me to stay out of trouble.”

 Christian Bly, 16, of Glenwood, agreed.

 Bly, who has average grades at Homewood-Flossmoor High School but high standardized test scores, said the mentoring group has taught him the importance of working harder in the classroom.

 “The program has helped me stay on track,” said Bly, a junior who plays on the school’s football team.

For more information about the 100 Black Men, call 312-372-1262.

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