By Morgan Bryce
Editor
The Greater Auburn/Opelika chapter of the 100 Black Men of America is holding their 10th annual Black Tie Scholarship Gala Nov. 8 at Greater Peace Baptist Church’s Family Life Center.
Greater Peace pastor and chapter president Rev. Clifford Jones said the event averages nearly 250 guests and serves as a fundraiser for their organization that endeavors to gift scholarships to high school seniors across Lee County. Each year, they give $500 scholarships to approximately seven or eight students.
The theme of this year’s gala is “Entrust Faithful Men Who Will Be Able to Teach Others,” and 100 Black Men of America Vice Chairman Albert Dotson will serve as the keynote speaker. A meal will be served, scholarship winners recognized as well as a special Veterans Day tribute.
Programming within the 100 Black Men of America focuses on mentoring, education, economic empowerment and health and wellness. They work to help area youth strive to improve in these area by mentoring at area schools and through the church’s “Be What You See” program for children in the third through eighth grades held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.
“(I believe) that our organization has had a major impact on our youths in Lee County. Through ‘Be What You See,’ the program provides individuals who are accomplished in their field with the hope that youths see them want to ‘be what they see,’” Jones said.
Jones added that several Macon County residents like the concept and plan to implement it in Tuskegee.
Tickets for the gala are $60 each for individuals or $480 for a table of eight. Those interested in purchasing tickets can call 334-444-0882 or 334-749-9487. The ticket-purchasing deadline is Nov. 2.
For more information or to register for the Be What You See program, call 334-749-9487.
The church is located at 650 Jeter Ave.