What Is 100 Black Men, Inc.

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Last updated: April 11, 2026

Quick Answer: 100 Black Men, Inc. is the world's largest volunteer network of Black men founded in 1963 in New York City, officially established as a national organization on May 27, 1987 in Atlanta. With over 116 chapters internationally and more than 10,000 members, the organization impacts over 125,000 youth annually through mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment programs.

Key Facts

Founded in 1963 by prominent African American professionals including Jackie Robinson, David Dinkins, and Livingston Wingate
Officially established as national organization on May 27, 1987 in Atlanta with Nathaniel Goldstein as first president
Operates over 116 chapters internationally with more than 10,000 active members
Mentors and serves over 125,000 underrepresented minority youth annually
Focus areas include mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment under leadership development

Overview

100 Black Men, Inc. is the world's largest volunteer network of Black men dedicated to mentoring and youth development. Founded in 1963 by a group of concerned African American professionals in New York City, including civil rights icon Jackie Robinson, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, and other business leaders, the organization emerged from a desire to improve conditions in African American communities through education and economic opportunity.

The organization was officially established as a national entity on May 27, 1987, at its first national conference in Atlanta, Georgia, with businessman Nathaniel Goldstein serving as the inaugural president and chairman of the board. This formal establishment marked the transition from a loosely affiliated group to a structured, nationwide network with a unified mission and vision.

How It Works

100 Black Men operates through a network of local chapters coordinated by a national headquarters. Each chapter serves its community through coordinated programs and initiatives:

Mentoring Programs: Members serve as mentors to minority youth, providing guidance on education, career development, and life skills through one-on-one and group mentoring relationships.
Educational Initiatives: The organization sponsors scholarships, tutoring programs, and academic support services to help youth achieve educational excellence and prepare for college and careers.
Health and Wellness: Chapters organize health awareness campaigns, fitness programs, and wellness workshops addressing disparities in healthcare access and promoting healthy lifestyles for youth and families.
Economic Empowerment: Programs focus on entrepreneurship training, job readiness, financial literacy, and workforce development to create economic opportunities for underserved communities.
Leadership Development: The organization emphasizes leadership training that encompasses all four focus areas, helping young people develop into responsible community leaders.

Key Comparisons

Aspect	100 Black Men, Inc.	Other Youth Organizations
Primary Focus	Mentoring by Black male volunteers specifically	Varied mentoring approaches and demographics
Scale	116+ international chapters with 10,000+ members	Varies by organization size and reach
Annual Youth Impact	Over 125,000 youth served annually	Depends on individual organization capacity
Program Areas	Mentoring, education, health, economic empowerment	Often focused on single or fewer areas
Volunteer Model	Professional Black men volunteering time directly	Mixed volunteer and paid staff models

Why It Matters

Addresses Mentoring Gap: The organization fills a critical need for positive male role models in communities where such figures may be scarce, providing consistent guidance and support to youth who lack these connections.
Tackles Educational Disparities: By supporting academic achievement and college preparation, the organization helps narrow achievement gaps and increases college enrollment rates among minority students.
Promotes Economic Mobility: Through career development and entrepreneurship training, members help youth build pathways to financial independence and economic security.
Community Transformation: The combined efforts of over 10,000 dedicated volunteers across 116 chapters create measurable positive impacts on families and neighborhoods, building stronger communities from within.

100 Black Men, Inc. represents a powerful testament to the impact of organized mentorship and community investment. By engaging successful professionals who return to uplift younger generations, the organization demonstrates how strategic volunteering and structured programming can transform lives and create lasting community change. The organization's continued growth and expansion since 1987 underscore the effectiveness of its model and the ongoing need for such dedicated advocacy and support networks in American society.