The community came together in full force last Thursday night to support the 100 Black Men of Grenada Inc.’s Annual Fundraising Gala.
The Gala, held at Holmes Community College, not only serves as a fundraiser, but also allows the mentees to engage with positive role models. The mission of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., is to improve the quality of life within local communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.
The Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Larry C. Webster Jr., thanked those in attendance, while Christopher Golden, a sophomore at Mississippi Valley State University, welcomed everyone with a personal thank you for the 100 Black Men for allowing him the opportunity to receive a scholarship to help further his education.
After a reading of the sponsors by Nicholas Moore, director-at-large for 100 Black Men, dinner was served by Drake’s Barbeque Restaurant and entertainment provided by Moe Hubbard & Pleasant Sounds.
United States Representative for the Mississippi 2nd Congressional District, Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), took the stage to present the chapter with a special gift from Washington, D.C.
“It’s always good to get out of Washington, but even better to be in Grenada,” he said. “We want to honor you, the 100 Black Men of Grenada, Inc., chapter. The reason we honor you today is that you are doing a good job. For 12 years, you have taken the mantle of working with young boys, not just in Grenada County, but also in surrounding counties, to help make them move in the right direction.”
The 100 Black Men of Grenada Inc.’s Annual Gala held at Holmes Community College was well attended by members of the community.
Thompson encouraged the local organization to continue to lead young men in the right direction.
“What you are doing here, that deserves recognition,” Thompson continued. “We have put in the Congressional Records for everyone all over the world to see the good job that you are doing and hopefully they will want to be just like the Grenada Chapter and do exactly what you are doing. This recognition will be available to all for as long as the United States is in existence. So enjoy this, and tell your children and grandchildren that you are now in the Congressional Records. I am happy to be here and to be able to present this award to you all. You are thriving and this is what it is all about.”
Chapter President Roger Givens was grateful to receive the frame of honor on the Chapter’s behalf.
“We are thankful for this recognition, Mr. Congressman,” Givens said. “We hope to continue to make Grenada and you all there in Washington proud.”
Thompson said that he is eager and ready to work with Grenada in the future as the community continues to grow.
“One of the joys of my job is working with anyone that wants to make their community a better place,” Thompson said. “When I’m in other parts of the District, they want to know why I am always helping those folks in Grenada and I said well that’s easy, they want to help themselves. When people want to help themselves, the energy is there to make it happen. So, like Milwaukee Tool and other things that are under way in this community, is because of your leadership in Grenada wanting to make a difference. I am happy to work with the Economic Development in this area to bring the incentives to make it easy to come here. I look forward to continuing to work with Grenada as you continue to grow.”
Mississippi Department of Transportation-Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons, left, United States Representative Mississippi 2nd Congressional District Bennie Thompson and 100 Black Men of Grenada chapter President Roger Givens Roger Givens display a special award presented to the club by Thompson.
Vice president of finance for the 100 Black Men of Grenada, Frank Bradford Jr., and Board Member for the Economic Development Foundation, Ida Givens, presented Congressman Thompson with a gift of his own.
“It’s so funny that you mentioned Milwaukee Tool Congressman,” Bradford said. “You were not able to be here when we had the groundbreaking ceremony, but the Greater Grenada Partnership wants you to have a picture and one of the shovels used at the ceremony for your keeping. We thank you for all you do for this community.”
Recognition of mentees and scholarship recipients followed the special presentation.
Givens again took the stage to welcome longtime friend and keynote speaker for the Gala, Mississippi Department of Transportation-Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons.
“When we met, we met at a place I didn’t expect to meet a great friend,” Roger Givens said. “We met inside the Mississippi State Penitentiary. We were free. He was very dedicated in his job and wanted to do the right thing, and wanted those around him to do the right thing. We worked well together. I am proud to call this man a friend and I am grateful to have him here to give us some positive words of encouragement for our chapter.”
Simmons opened his speech with a word of thanks to Grenada.
“Let me just say to the 100 Black Men and Grenada how grateful I am to be a part of your program tonight,” he said. “With 12 years in existence, you don’t always have the assembly you have like you have tonight. You have the White House in here tonight. As Commissioner of Transportation, I am honored that those of you that are in this county called out to others to make it possible for me to be your commissioner.”
With positive words of encouragement to the crowd, Simmons wanted to leave everyone with a challenge.
“I come tonight to give a quick message to the 100 Black Men of Grenada and that is to continue to do what you are doing,” he said. “You are to be commended for having received a Congressional Medal of Honor from the Mississippi U.S. Congressman himself. This is progress in America and progress here in Grenada. The City Council with all of you and all of what you are doing, Grenada is in the right place at the right time. You are located right in the center of so many different colleges; you have no reason not to have these young men and women come to you for these scholarships for higher learning. My challenge to you is to continue to work together Grenada and build up from your heritage, your culture and the things you’ve done in the past. Take advantage of the equity that is available to you.”
Simmons also expressed his gratitude for being able to serve the community as the Commissioner.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you all,” he said. “Seeing these industries come to Grenada only say that Grenada is the place to be. I see so many great things in this community. You must want the better the whole community, not just certain areas. Work with your leaders to better your Grenada. When I look into building a highway or a new bridge, I don’t see a black bridge or a white bridge or a black highway or white highway. I see things that need to be built. That is just like in your community. I encourage you to not let the disease of division enter into your community and destroy you. We all have the same goals in mind: How can we have the best community? How can we make Grenada County the best in America?”
As the evening ended, Roger Givens presented former Grenada City Manager Trey Baker with a plaque to say thank you for the work he has done for the youth in the community.
“He has done so much for Grenada,” Givens said. “We are about youth here and he played a huge part in bettering this area for our youth. His hard work in getting the Sports Complex here shows his dedication to this community and our youth.”
Baker was excited to be home and thankful for the role the 100 Black Men played in his life as a young adult.
“It’s good to be home,” Baker concluded. “I do want to say congrats to the 100 Black Men on their success in this organization. Even before you started your own chapter here, you all were helping me and shaped me to become a better man. You stepped in and showed me how to be the person I am today because I was able to see it in you. No matter where I am or who I am with, I always take Grenada with me. Grenada is the reason I have the confidence to walk into those rooms and be the best I can be.”
To end the night, Greater Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Otis J. Johnson closed the evening in prayer.
