From Student to Teacher: The Impact of 100 Black Men Indianapolis
In 2004, Rick Anderson was a senior in high school, being raised by a determined single mother who discovered the 100 Black Men Indianapolis and pushed him to join. At the time, Rick was eager to see what the program could offer, and upon completion, he pulled a wealth of insights that shaped his future. One of the most valuable takeaways? The understanding that Black men could have multiple pathways in life—beyond what he had previously seen as limited.
“I grew up thinking that if you were a Black male, you played sports or had just a few other paths to choose from. 100 Black Men opened my eyes to the fact that there were so many options,” Rick recalls.
As part of the program, Rick participated in sessions that taught him about knowing his legal rights, successful college matriculation, and career options. He vividly remembers Career Day, where he interacted with men of color excelling in various fields, inspiring him to consider future possibilities he hadn’t seen before.
Following his high school graduation, Rick enrolled at Florida A&M University, studying business. His experience with 100 Black Men had instilled in him not only a sense of personal responsibility but also a calling to inspire and equip other young men in the same way that he had been empowered. Even during his spring and summer breaks, Rick returned to volunteer for the organization—keeping him closely connected to the program that helped set him on the right path.
For 16 years, Rick’s journey took him across various industries and locations. From Silicon Valley to Springfield, Illinois, he thrived as a Territory Business Manager for Johnson & Johnson, a fortune 500 company. But in 2011, Rick found himself seeking deeper fulfillment—a desire to make a more significant impact on others’ lives. That year, through Teach for America, his journey transitioned from business to education.
Rick’s teaching career began in Memphis, where he taught first grade before moving on to middle school. His leadership abilities quickly emerged, and he quickly advanced to the head of school at a flagship middle school—the highest-performing school in the city at the time. After establishing a track record of effectiveness, he was asked to lead a turnaround elementary school, one of the lowest-performing in the state, driving transformative results. Through this journey, Rick gained perspective on how students, families, and communities are impacted by the access to resources available to them. He called upon experiences gained through his involvement in 100 Black Men Indianapolis as he sought to ensure students from all backgrounds could gain access to critical knowledge and education that would equip and inspire them to succeed in life.
“Every city I’ve lived in, I’ve had a connection through my Beautillion class. You may not have enduring relationships with everyone, but years later, you’ll find you have access to someone who’s shared this experience. That’s the power of the network.”
In 2016, Rick and his family moved back to Indianapolis, where Rick embarked on a new challenge: founding Allegiant Preparatory Academy. On this journey, Rick relied upon the connections he made through 100 Black Men Indianapolis to garner support in bringing this dream to life. In 2018, Rick realized his vision of launching Allegiant Prep on the west side of Indianapolis. Since opening, Allegiant Prep has committed to continuous improvement and cultivated a community aligned around the success of each student as they evolve into the leaders of tomorrow.
While Rick’s career advanced, his connection to 100 Black Men Indianapolis never wavered. In fact, his return to Indianapolis in 2016 marked the beginning of a deeper involvement with the organization. Rick formally joined the education committee and began facilitating and mentoring for the Beautillion, coming to multiple sessions to give back to the program that had poured so much into him.
“It’s come full circle,” Rick says. “Even as I’ve advanced personally and professionally, 100 Black Men has always been a touchpoint in my life. The content I was able to take from there, I’ve applied both personally and professionally. And I’m grateful.”
Today, Rick’s commitment to his community is stronger than ever. Whether it’s through leading Allegiant Prep or volunteering with 100 Black Men, he’s dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders—just as the program did for him.