Paul Kelly

President, 100 Black Men of Denver, Inc.

It is with great pride that I prepare and deliver the 100 Black Men of Denver’s 2007 President’s Message.

The 100 Black Men of Denver, Inc. is one of 106 global chapters, including; the Caribbean and England, of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. We all share the same vision and mission…How to collectively impact the daily lives of the young people living in our community.

Our tagline is clear: Real Men Giving Real Time.

Our mission is focused: to Create Positive Black Male Development!

Our programs are specific: Four for the Future!

Being the incoming president of the 100 Black Men of Denver, Inc. is an honor and a privilege.

It is an honor to be at the helm of a chapter that was created and developed many years ago, by some of the most prestigious leaders, in not only the Denver metro African American community, but the metro Denver community, as a whole. The founding members and predecessors of the 100 Black Men of Denver, Inc. are doctors, lawyers, dentists, clergy, educators, politicians and businessmen alike. These guys dedicated their personal and professional resources, to create future opportunities, especially for the young Black men of Denver; who must now step up to the plate and create their own vision and legacy. Their resources, included; money, time, energy, talent, and most importantly…the much needed wisdom to create a leadership succession plan for the future of Denver’s African American community.

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to take a stable chapter, both financially and membership wise, and continue to not only grow it; but make it flourish. The plan is very simple…increase the membership base of the 100 Black Men of Denver, Inc. increase the 100 Black Men of Denver’s, Inc. presence in the metro Denver community, increase the number of students/mentees we serve through Mentoring, increase Health awareness activity; specifically among African American males, Educate members of our in areas they are not fluent in and show members of our community how to achieve independence through Economic Development.

- To increase our membership base it is necessary to be selectively inclusive! This means members need to bring something to the table. To be a member of the 100 Black Men ofDenver, Inc., you must be willing to give something of yourself back to our community.

- To increase our presence in the metro Denver community we must be willing to focus on projects that serve the multitudes and masses in our community.

- To increase the number of students/mentees that we mentor, we must also be willing to accept, utilize, exert and share our strengths while understanding and acknowledging our shortcomings. It is expected that you share your hard earned wisdom with as many young people as you can, provided the young people you mentor are prepared for the most valuable lifetime gift you can ever offer them. Mentoring a student with your wisdom…only enhances your future.

- To increase health awareness among African American males, we must address the fact that as African American males we are prone and susceptible to a plethora of preventable diseases and illnesses. Sadly, it is through embarrassment and ignorance that we allow ourselves to become victims. (I speak from experience.) It is time for each and every one of us to step up and take a proactive approach to our personal health.

- To educate our community on how to achieve true independence, we need to educate our community about Economic Development.

When my term as the presidency of the 100 Black Men of Denver ends, I hope to leave the chapter in a much better place than when I took it over. That is what my predecessor did for me and that is what I plan to do for my successor.

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