100 Black Men of Long Beach Inc.
Non-profit organization, Social services organization in Long Beach, CA
- Address
- 701 Pine Ave UNIT 130, Long Beach, CA, 90813
- Phone
- (323) 806-0765
- Website
- 100blackmenlbc.com
About 100 Black Men of Long Beach Inc.
100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc. specializes in structured youth mentoring for young men ages 8 to 18, built around its nationally respected "Growth Mindset" mentoring philosophy. The organization's longest-standing and most consistent program, known as GRITS, brings mentors and mentees together every third Saturday at California State University, Long Beach, giving the program a stable, recurring rhythm rather than sporadic one-off events. Membership draws from a wide cross-section of local professionals, including lawyers, business owners, and elected officials, who volunteer as mentors and role models for participating youth. Programming is organized around four national pillars shared across all 100 Black Men chapters: education, health and wellness, economic opportunity, and leadership and mentoring. The Long Beach chapter has been recognized in local media for its work empowering youth and has been highlighted for its role helping grow young Black scholars in the region. By hosting sessions on a university campus, the program also exposes younger participants to a college environment early, reinforcing higher education as an attainable goal rather than an abstract concept. The chapter's work reflects the national organization's broader belief that consistent adult mentorship, delivered by men who reflect the community they serve, is one of the most effective tools for improving long-term outcomes for Black youth in Long Beach.
100 Black Men of Long Beach traces its origin to 2007, when a group of prominent and concerned African American men met aboard the Queen Mary to discuss ways to empower the African American community, with particular focus on young Black men. Jesse B. Johnson, Jr. encouraged the core group to formalize as a 100 Black Men of Long Beach Interest Group, and the chapter was officially chartered by 100 Black Men of America, Inc. in December 2008. Since its charter, the organization has grown into a chapter of local professionals — including lawyers, business owners, and elected officials — who mentor young men through the GRITS program at Cal State Long Beach and other initiatives tied to the national organization's four pillars.
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