Chairman’s Award Luncheon - 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
Friday, June 9, 2006
Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr.
Omni Hotel at CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia
Thank you. It is a pleasure and an honor to be here with you today and to represent the University System of Georgia — a system of more than 250,000 students, 35 institutions, 40,000 employees. On behalf of the System and our Board of Regents, I bring you greetings and our thanks for your great work.
And to Ingrid Saunders-Jones and the Coca-Cola Company, thank you for your support of the 100 Black Men of America and today’s event. You and your company exercise such excellent corporate citizenship.
Here in Georgia, we are fortunate to have a very strong partnership between the University System of Georgia and the 100 Black Men. Several of our regents are members of the Atlanta chapter as are a number of our System administrators. Members of our faculty and staff are active members of your chapters throughout the state. These partnerships and relationships have proven mutually beneficial and we appreciate how they enhance our community and civic programs.
It’s important that these relationships continue and grow. The partnerships are a testament to the mission we share: improving the quality of life for our youth — specifically African-American youth.
As you know, a priority of the Board of Regents is to increase the number of African-American males who prepare for and enroll in college. Success with this goal will require strong communities and effective support from organizations such as 100 Black Men and from businesses such as Coca-Cola. Above all, it will require the time and dedication of many individuals.
We have so much to do to change the negative statistics into positive outcomes for African-American males. We are making progress through programs that focus on directing more Black males to college — but we must stay focused and committed to our goals. And that’s why events such as this, which provide an opportunity for recognition, are so important. We need to remind ourselves of why we are engaged and for whom we do this critical work.
I am pleased to be a part of today’s ceremonies, as you applaud and recognize those who are making a difference. Congratulations to all who are working hard to change the lives of our young people for the better! Our youth deserve the role models, support, mentoring and leadership provided by 100 Black Men of America.
Thank you to today’s honorees, and those who salute and join with them, for all that you do!