Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1538147
84 maconmagazine.com | August/September 2025 "We decided we needed to do something like that here," said Pitts, a longtime insurance executive and business owner. So he, well-known attorney Adams, and Hart — who had served on the Bibb County Commission in other leadership roles — decided to start a chapter of 100 Black Men in 1996. "Without question, what is most impressive to me is that we had a group of men come together to provide opportunities for young men and our community at large," Adams recalled. The Macon-Middle Georgia chapter is still going strong and the three founders remain heavily involved. The mission of the group, which currently has 75 members, is to improve the quality of life within Macon and Middle Georgia communities and to enhance educational and economic opportunities, primarily for young African American males. The 100 Black Men of America was originally formed in 1963 in New York City, when concerned African American men met to figure out how to improve conditions for young people in their community. In its 62 years, the nonprofit has grown to 110 chapters nationwide, with 10,000 members who have mentored and served more than 125,000 underserved minority youth. The national headquarters is in Atlanta. Macon-Middle Georgia's 100 Black Men have implemented many programs and events. One of the first things they did was adopt all three fifth-grade classes at Ingram-Pye Elementary School. They called it Project Reach, getting involved in the lives of the 10- and 11-year-olds. "From fifth grade on to middle school and high school, we had academic academies, we would take them to ballgames, to the circus," Pitts said. The members often spend their own time and money on the youngsters, who get life lessons on health and wellness, and economic empowerment. Over the years, the organization has held fall career festivals to expose their mentees and other youth in the community to career possibilities, at times attracting thousands at events held at the Macon Coliseum. Besides working with the young people to improve their reading skills and academics, they also broaden their worldviews and cultural interests with trips. They have taken some youngsters to New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Founder Sam Hart Sr. has always focused on academics. He established and is currently the executive director of the Middle Georgia Center for Academic Excellence. The center partners with several academic institutions with a goal to help low- income, first-generation college students graduate. Hart's personal mission is to "impact the next generation to improve their plight." The staff mentors in areas of science, mathematics, and engineering. The results are paying off: 51% of its students have earned bachelor's degrees, some have LEFT The 100 Black Men celebrate at The Sam Hart Community Impact Awards, including a Bruce Elementary Boy Scout. ABOVE A recent meeting of the 100 Black Men. Photo by DSTO Moore.