100 Black Men of Chicago to host "Inspiring Generosity: When We Give - Lives Change"

CHICAGO - April 26, 2016 - PRLog -- The 100 Black Men of Chicago (BMC), (http://www.100bmc.org/) the areas preeminent organization focused on mentoring African American youth, will host their 19^th Annual Benefit & Awards Gala on May 7, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.  The organization will recognize Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers and Ralph Hughes, recently retired vice president of government and public affairs for Macy's.  The evening begins with a reception at 6:00pm followed by dinner, an awards program hosted by CBS 2 Chicago News Anchor Irika Sargent and live entertainment featuring Terisa Griffin (http://www.terisagriffin.com/).

The 100 Black Men of Chicago is devoted to honoring individuals who embody excellence in their careers and who go the extra mile to empower communities through business excellence, service, and professionalism. In recognizing Summers and Hughes, the organization's President Carl Tutt said, "The 100BMC is proud to honor two individuals who epitomize leadership and uphold the values of the organization.  Both of our honorees have been exemplary in their support of our youth in the community."

With a focus on mentoring, education, health and wellness and economic empowerment the 100 BMC host five mentoring academy sites in the Chicago area.  South Side, Chicago State University; West Side, Build, Inc.; South Suburbs, South Suburban College, Oak Forest; West Side, Christ The King/Michele Clark; and

Western Suburbs, Quad County Urban League (QCUL). Additionally, the organization partners with the University of Illinois Chicago's African American Advisory Council formed to address the disparity in African American administration, staff, and student body at the institution, and they are also a member of the Mayor's Cabinet for the White House's My Brother's Keeper Initiative.

100 BMC mentees, both boys and girls, participate in numerous field trips during the year, and in 2016 they attended the Chicago Auto Show, Chicago's Bronzevile, The Musical and a performance of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Additionally, select mentees traveled to the Nissan plant in Smyrna, TN., where they toured the plant, met with engineers and previewed the company's as yet unveiled technologies.

Perhaps the organization's most well-known event is their College Scholarship Fair (CSF), held each fall for the past 13 years.  Each year the CSF attracts over 5,000 students from high schools and community organizations in the Chicago area, downstate Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri. These students interact with recruiters from over 250 colleges and universities. To date, this event has resulted in over $50 million in scholarships offered, and is slated to be held October 8th at the UIC Pavilion.  Tutt further commented, "This fundraising Gala allows the 100 Black Men of Chicago to continue these vital programs that motivate our young people to achieve, andempower them to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve."

Other events scheduled for this year include a white networking event to support the organization's scholarship program, tentatively scheduled for August 6 at the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) and the organization's annual Holiday Toy Drive to support undeserved children on December 7 at the Old Crow Smokehouse.

Tickets for the May 7 Black Tie event may be purchased by clicking http://100bmc.org. For information on sponsorships please contact Joe Martin, Gala Chairman via e-mail at joe.martin@100bmc.org.

About the 100 Black Men of Chicago

Since its inception in 1994, the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Inc. (100 BMC) has worked to enhance the lives of those youth and their families who live in socially or economically deprived communities. The organization's primary mission is to help improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for young African American males throughout the Greater Chicago area.  We provide on-going educational training programs, mentoring, tutoring, student scholarships, and economic empowerment seminars through the help of our volunteers and community partners.