Mission
The mission of the 100 Black Men of Long Island, Inc. is to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for underserved constituencies
Vision
We seek to serve as a beacon of leadership, through mentoring, by utilizing our diverse talents to create environments where our children are motivated to achieve, and to empower our people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve.
Values
We’re committed to the intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African American and surrounding communities based on the following precepts: respect for family, spirituality, justice, and integrity.
Our History
The 100 Black Men of Long Island Chapter was established in 1974 and incorporated the same year as a non-profit organization.The purpose of the organization is to improve the quality of life in Nassau-Suffolk Counties. The membership of OHBMLI is composed of men who demonstrate excellence in a broad range of professional endeavors.
History of the 100 Black Men of America Inc.
The overall concept of the 100 began in New York in 1963 when a group of concerned African American men began to meet to explore ways of improving conditions in their community. The group eventually adopted the name, “100 Black Men, Inc.” as a sign of solidarity. These men envisioned an organization that would implement programs designed to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities. They also wished to ensure the future of their communities by aiming an intense number of resources toward youth development. These members were successful black men from various walks of life. These visionaries were business and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson.
Dr. William Hayling, a member of the NY organization, had relocated to Newark, NJ and sought to replicate the 100’s impact in that area. In 1976 Dr. Hayling formed the 100 Black Men of New Jersey. A movement had been born. Men across the country began to form 100 Black Men organizations to leverage their collective talents and resources. Chapters were formed in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, Nassau/Suffolk, Alton, and Sacramento.
On September 21, 1983, a three-hour meeting was held at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., among representatives from the Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, and St. Louis chapters. This meeting was to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a National Organization for 100 Black Men. This meeting was held during the annual weekend meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Representative of St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, Nassau/Suffolk and Sacramento met for a second time in Las Vegas, May 11-13, 1984, at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. The men engaged in extensive discussions about the most effective structure to support the growth and governance of 100 Black Men chapters.
The third meeting was held May 16-18, 1986 at the Flamingo Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. At this meeting it was agreed that the best model for a newly-formed national organization was a federation governance model. This model leveraged human and financial resources, and supported chapter growth while preserving chapter autonomy. It was also voted that a National Steering Committee would include the Presidents of each chapter, along with two members from each chapter.
A final meeting was held on October 2, 1986 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington. Chapters represented were: Los Angeles, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Atlanta and New Jersey. The chapters decided that the name of the organization would be: “100 Black Men of America, Inc.”
The following individuals were elected as officers:
Dr. William Hayling (Los Angeles) President Moses Gray (Indianapolis) Secretary Oliver Lofton, Esq. (New Jersey) Vice-President Jesse C. Swanigan (St. Louis) Treasurer On May 27, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, this newly formed organization introduced itself to the nation during its first national conference. Noted speakers included the late Alex P. Haley and the late Honorable Maynard H. Jackson.
In 1989, Nathaniel R. Goldston III became the organization’s second National President and grew the organization to 43 chapters. Mr. Goldston used his business acumen and resources to expand the number of chapters and enhancing the organization’s infrastructure. Under Mr. Goldston, the organization acquired its first national office and its first Executive Director. Along with Mr. Goldston, Warren Valdrey (Vice President), T.B. Boyd III (Treasurer) and Moses Gray (Secretary) served as elected officers.
In 1994, Thomas W. Dortch Jr. was elected the third National President. That year, he spearheaded an aggressive plan entitled Four For The Future™. Since that time, the organization has strategically channeled its resources toward programs that support these important areas: Mentoring, Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Development. The 100 has identified these areas as being critical to the future of African Americans.
Along with Mr. Dortch, LeRoy G. Walker, Jr. (Vice President), William L. Wimberly (Vice President), Hon. Roosevelt F. Dorn (Vice President), Lonnie J. Carr (Treasurer), and Albert E. Dotson, Jr. (Secretary). In 1997, under Mr. Dortch’s leadership the organization expanded internationally with the chartering of the Birmingham, England chapter. Additional international chapters and interest groups followed including: Nassau Bahamas, Goree Island, Senegal, Kingston, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, and London, England. It was also in 1997 that the organization purchased its World Headquarters building on historic Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. Also, during Mr. Dortch’s tenure, the Collegiate 100 was formed to focus the next generation on mentoring
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