Building Futures Together: Inside The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis Team Mentoring Program
On Saturday morning in Indianapolis, something powerful unfolds. Young men arrive—some curious, some uncertain, some quietly carrying questions about who they are and who they might become. They are greeted not by lectures or expectations, but by community. They share breakfast. They talk. They listen. And slowly, week by week, they begin to see new […]
How the 100 Black Men’s Team Mentoring Program Is Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders
When Crystal Meiller searched “mentoring programs for Black boys near me,” she wasn’t thinking about long-term outcomes or leadership pipelines. She was thinking about her son and ensuring he had the guidance she couldn’t provide. Jaeden was in fourth grade, growing up during the isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a single mother, […]
Purpose in Practice: The Legacy of Bill Mays
In Indianapolis, Bill Mays is widely known for the national success of his company, Mays Chemical. But those who worked alongside him and benefited from his leadership remember something more deliberate at work: business was never an end in itself. It was the means by which he created the capacity to give, invest, and strengthen […]
Redefining Community: Building Character, Confidence, and a New Path Forward
When Jalaina Moore enrolled her son in the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis’ Team Mentoring program, she wasn’t thinking about extracurricular activities or résumé builders.
Charles Barker’s $50,000 Gift: Opening Doors for Future Leaders
A lifelong commitment to education and financial empowerment. At 88 years old, Charles Barker has every reason to slow down. But that has never been who he is. Instead, he is moving with urgency—learning, giving, mentoring, and pouring decades of wisdom into young people who remind him of where he once stood. For Barker, legacy […]
Continuing the Mission: A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Purpose
By Aundre Hogue, President, The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis Fourteen years ago, I had my first mentoring experience as a volunteer with the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis. When I walked into IPS School 37 to serve, I was reminded of my own days as an IPS student—a young, low-income Black student longing for […]
Summer Academy: Nearly 40 Years of Talent Development and Community Impact
For nearly four decades, the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis has shaped futures through its flagship Summer Academy, a six-week program that combines education, career exposure, and mentorship. What began as a small initiative to keep youth engaged during the summer has evolved into a model for talent development, helping students build skills, discover career […]
Honoring the Legacy of Vernice L. Williams
A Life of Purpose and Service On August 13, 1934, Indianapolis was blessed with the birth of Vernice L. Williams—a woman whose life would come to represent resilience, faith, and unwavering service. Raised on the city’s Northwest side, Williams learned strength and sacrifice early, having lost her father at the age of three. She often […]
From Shy Child to Confident Leader: A Family’s Journey with Summer Academy
When Treysen Reynolds first joined the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis Summer Academy in 2019, he was a shy third grader. Six years later, he’s preparing to enter high school with confidence, leadership skills, and a vision for his future. Even more, he’s determined to give back as a youth worker in the very program […]
Legacy in Action: Clarence Crain’s Lifelong Commitment to Community and the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis
When Clarence Crain speaks, it’s with the quiet conviction of someone who has spent decades in service, not for accolades, but for impact. A trailblazer in both corporate and civic life, Crain’s contributions span from General Motors to the boardroom of Lilly Endowment, Inc., and onto the hardwood courts of Butler University. Yet, when asked […]