100 Black Men of America, Inc. Joins National HOPE AI Initiative to Advance Inclusive Financial and AI Literacy Across Underserved Communities

100 Black Men of America, Inc., the nation's preeminent African American mentoring and leadership development organization, today announced its partnership with Operation HOPE's newly launched HOPE AI initiative, a national strategy designed to transform financial literacy and expand equitable access to artificial intelligence education and tools.

As a founding partner in this unprecedented collaboration, The 100 will help drive community-based engagement, outreach, and education that empowers youth, families, and adults with the knowledge and digital readiness required to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy. The partnership directly supports the organization's Economic Empowerment program pillar, which equips individuals from underserved and at-risk communities with the skills, tools, and resources needed to build financial stability and long-term economic mobility. It also connects with the work and strategy of the 100 Black Men of America's Technology Committee

"The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence represents both extraordinary opportunity and significant risk for our communities," said Milton H. Jones, Jr., Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. "For over 40 years, The 100 has worked to close opportunity gaps through leadership in mentoring, health and wellness ,education, and economic empowerment. Partnering with Operation HOPE to launch HOPE AI strengthens our commitment to ensuring that Black youth and families are not merely included in the future economy--but fully prepared to lead within it."

Launched by Operation HOPE and Chairman, Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant, the HOPE AI initiative brings together several of the nation's most influential nonprofit organizations to build a national blueprint that expands financial literacy, digital competency, and responsible AI readiness.

"This partnership with 100 Black Men of America represents the best of what is possible when mission-driven organizations come together to create lasting change," said John Hope Bryant. "The 100 has a decades-long legacy of uplifting communities and cultivating leaders. Their engagement in the HOPE AI initiative ensures that millions more Americans—especially those historically left behind—gain access to the knowledge, technology, and economic opportunity they deserve."

Through this partnership, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. will collaborate with Operation HOPE to implement educational content, experiential learning opportunities, and community outreach programs that help individuals:

• Understand the role of AI in the modern financial landscape
• Strengthen digital and economic decision-making skills
• Build pathways to entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and wealth creation

This joint initiative is expected to mobilize mentors, educators, and volunteers across 100 Black Men of America, Inc.'s national network of chapters, amplifying impact at the local and national levels.

About 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

The 100 Black Men of America is the world's largest volunteer network of Black men focused on mentoring minority youth. The national organization began with nine chapters in 1986. The first chapter was founded in New York City in 1963. The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is a national alliance of leading African American men in business, public affairs, and government. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for African Americans, with a specific focus on African American youth. Since its inception, the organization has grown to more than 5,000 members, with 102 chapters that impact more than 100,000 underserved and underrepresented minority youth every year. Visit www.100blackmen.org for more information on the programs and initiatives of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and their global network of chapters.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to "silver rights" with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

100 Black Men of America, Inc. Announces 39th Annual Conference in New Orleans

100 Black Men of America, Inc., the nation's premier African American mentoring and leadership development organization, is proud to announce its 39th Annual Conference, taking place June 4–8, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

This year's theme, "Preparing Leaders to Impact Our Changing World," reflects the organization's continued commitment to mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment across communities of color. The multi-day conference will bring together 100 chapters, industry leaders, youth, corporate partners, elected officials, educators, and advocates from across the country.

"At a time when leadership is needed more than ever, this conference provides the inspiration, tools, and access to empower the next generation," said Milton H. Jones, Jr., Chairman of the Board, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. "Our conference isn't just a gathering — it's a launchpad for legacy-building and real-world change. We're convening a powerful mix of voices from across the country—mentors, youth, entrepreneurs, educators, health professionals, and corporate leaders—who are aligned in their commitment to shaping a better future. Whether you're here to grow, give back, or be inspired, this experience is designed to move us all forward."

The 39th Annual Conference will feature:

• Youth leadership workshops and national competitions
• The signature 100 Business Summit
• Panels and keynotes from national thought leaders
• Chapter development workshops
• Health and wellness activations
• Networking events and award celebrations
• Call to action for elevating youth mentoring programs

The event is expected to welcome over 1,300 attendees, including members of the 100's Collegiate, Emerging 100, and youth mentees from across the 100 Black Men network. With both a local presence and national impact, the 100 is active in promoting equitable outcomes in education, business, and civic engagement. This year's conference will involve the New Orleans community by offering free eye exams and glasses for students attending Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and hosting a free Business Summit to support local entrepreneurs. This event is open to the public.

Media can obtain credentials and access the media kit by viewing the bottom section of this page. Interviews with the 100's executive board members and sponsor representatives can be scheduled. Visit 100blackmen.org for complete information.

100 BLACK MEN OF AMERICA, INC. LAUNCHES ITS “REAL MEN VOTE” CAMPAIGN

The nation’s largest African American-led mentoring organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., announced the launch of its “Real Men Vote” campaign and 13-city tour. The tour kicks off in Cleveland, Ohio on April 1st at Premier Barbershop, and this effort is focused on delivering critical voter education and engagement ahead of the 2024 Presidential election.

Milton H. Jones Jr,, Chairman of the 100 Black Men of America , Inc said “We are an organization with more than 4,000 members, all of whom are registered to vote in the upcoming national and local elections. Further, all of these men are committed to helping men and women in their communities register to vote, learn about the election issues and see the importance of casting their ballots at every opportunity to vote.”

In addition to a critical Presidential election, there are 435 seats in the House of Representatives and over 30 Senate seats up for election this year. Ahead one of the nation’s most consequential election seasons, the “Real Men Vote” campaign is dedicated to combating an onslaught of misinformation and voting dissuasion campaigns. The goal of the tour is to equip Black men across the country with accurate information about issues and policies at the federal, state and local levels.

Dr. Wes Bellamy, Chair of the Public Policy Committeecommittee of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Board added “ Black men and their potential to shape future elections have increasingly gained national attention. “However, with that attention has come an influx of misinformation tactics directly targeting them. The “Real Men Vote” campaign was created to provide Black men with the information and tools they need to make informed civic decisions that allow them to leverage their voting power to better our communities and protect our vision for the future.”

The multi-city tour will feature town halls curated by 100 Black Men, Inc. chapters in each respective city to discuss the importance of voting and how voting builds power. In cities noted below, the Town Halls will be jointly hosted by the Coalition of 100 Black Women and the 100 Black Men of America, Inc… The 100 Black Men of America will also be working with the Collective Education Fund, Black Voters Matter, and others to ensure that this is a collaborative approach to engage Black men from a multitude of backgrounds.

The “Real Men Vote” tour will be hosted in the following cities:

• Mobile, AL
• Charlotte, NC
• Cleveland, OH
• Philadelphia, PA *
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Macon, GA
• Las Vegas, NV *
• Atlanta, GA *
• Detroit, MI
• Milwaukee, WI
• South Florida *
• Jacksonville, Florida *
• Baton Rouge, LA *

* Co-hosted by 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and Coalition of 100 Black Women

100 Black Men, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and enhancing education and economic opportunities for all African Americans. Through mentorship, education, health & wellness, and economic empowerment, the organization is committed to initiatives that empower community members to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities they serve.

To learn more about the “Real Men Vote” campaign and upcoming tour dates, please visit 100blackmen.org/real-men-vote and follow the organization on Facebook, X and Instagram.