Larry's Blog: Michael Garner
By 1010 WINS' Larry Mullins
….So I'm walking into this office, to meet the head of New Yorks "100 Black Men, Inc." and as I walk in, there's this guy, impeccably dressed "to the 9's" (…as we used to call it, back in the day, when someone was VERY well-dressed). I don't know how it came up, but he told a woman in the lobby, I've got an appointment, but I'm starving! He then proceeded to tell her that he was running across the street (near the famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel) to "grab a dog"!
Little did I know, as we awaited the arrival of our interview for this segment, it was "him". Our guy. It was Michael Garner, the head of 100 Black Men Inc.
Not there's anything wrong with a distinguished fella grabbing a "hot dog" for lunch, but he was so sharp, I was afraid he'd get mustard on his pin-striped suit. But it all made sense; this is the guy who helped to shape one of the most influential and successful empowerment programs (for African-American men) in the city. His polish made a resounding statement about "looking and exuding confidence and success", yet, "remembering who you are".
More: Black History Month Photo Gallery | One-On-One with Michael Garner
And they've (100 Black Men Inc.) have been doing that for decades! It gave me chills when Garner told us about the hallmark of OHBM; it's wildly successful "Eagle Academy", which started in the Bronx, and is now enjoying successful locations throughout the U.S.
He says a teacher up in the Bronx summoned OHBM after running into all kinds of problems with her young male students. They didn't want to learn. They were disrespectful ('cussin in class). They were into things which….well….I don't need to go into it in full detail; you can use your imagination. It wasn't pretty. Well OHBM showed up with a bunch of neckties, put them around the boys necks, and in a series of workshops and "pow-wows", Garner says it was amazing to see all these boys needed was someone to guide, teach, encourage and LOVE them.
Web Extra: Ohbm.org | Full Interview With Michael Garner
Now these kids are being recruited to Ivy League Schools all over the country. During this visit, he spoke highly of a kid who had just signed to attend Penn State. As they say, "beats the heck out of being signed over to the state pen. OHBM is looking for more kids to turnaround, and more mentors (business and civic leaders, and just plain old hard working Joe's) to spend a Saturday morning with the young men, to help give them values. Congressman Charlie Rangel and former Mayor David Dinkins and others have signed up. I'm signing up as a mentor too….(we've gotta give back).
Garner hit me with something one of his mentors (the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington) shared with him. He says, "If you're not busy planning, then you're being planned". Powerful words. And it's as if the kids who come thru this program have it stamped on their foreheads, to remind them every time they look into a mirror. How else do you explain Eagle Academy's graduation rate, which Garner puts at 95%. I'm a believer.