HISTORY 100 BLACK MEN OF ROME
In 1993, a local group of area businessmen and leaders met at the Rome/Floyd Library with a common interest to have group of black men mentoring young black boys. Gary Byrd, facilitated these early discussions. He had relocated to Rome from Maryland and was affiliated with a 100 chapter there. After meeting for over a year the group petitioned the 100 Black Men of America for a charter and the group received its charter in April of 1994.
Dr. Joshua Murfree became our first elected president. Under his administration, the group made tremendous strides. Mentoring the 100 Way, the national mentoring model was birthed in Rome, Georgia. Dr. Murfree is the author of the mentoring model that has been taught throughout the country and is currently practiced today. Henry “Hank” Richardson served as the second elected president. During his tenure the chapter started awarding scholarships annually and one of the original charter members retired Lt. Col. John Ware, II introduced the concept of Jr. AFROTC to the Rome City School Board which was adopted and implemented at the merged Rome High School in 1997. Charles Oliver served as the chapter’s third elected president. Curtis B. Adams served as president from 1999 – 2003 and 2012-2013. During his tenure, he is credited with giving the “100” of Rome an identity. The chapter leased its first office in 2000 and was one of the first African-American organizations to have a business office in downtown Rome. During Adams administration the Rome chapter accomplished many significant things nationally and locally. Locally, the H.I.M. Health Initiative for Men was started, it is a health screening that occurs the third Saturday in August focusing on Prostate Cancer. Nationally, Brandon Crowley was recognized as the national youth of the year in 2001. In 2003, the Rome chapter was recognized as the small chapter of the year. This award was significant because it validated Rome as the best practice of all chapters with membership between 25 – 50 members. Larry G. Morrow, Sr. was fifth elected president. During his term the chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary. President Morrow and his vice president Gregory L. Shropshire introduced the semi-annual “Gathering of Men” breakfast.
Gregory L. Shropshire became the chapter’s sixth elected president serving from 2005-2009 and 2014 -2015. During his administration the chapter achieved new highs. President Shropshire introduced Foundation Camp to the organization. Foundation Camp is a joint partnership with Georgia Highlands College. This is an annual two-week day camp for boys 10 – 14 years of age that focuses on academics and recreational activities with goal of exposing minority boys to a college campus at an early age. President Shropshire spearheaded the campaign to start Kemet Robotics. Kemet Robotics is an award winning program that provide an opportunity for young students to compete in the First Lego League and the First Tech Challenge. During President Shropshire tenure chapter celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Jerome Parks, Jr. was the chapter’s seventh elected president. During his tenure the chapter Kemet Robotics saw exponential growth and garnered several state awards.
Rayford Horne is currently the chapter's president since 2016. He has introduced another aspect to STEM and Robotics with computer programming in broadening the science and engineering foundation. Also, under his tenure, the operations of Kemet Robotics transitioned to the North Broad Youth Center in expanding their operations and in collaboration to increase youth outreach with establishments in three counties.
During the past 23 years the organization has mentored several hundred youth in the community, volunteered countless hours and contributed greater than $120,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students.
Dr. Joshua Murfree became our first elected president. Under his administration, the group made tremendous strides. Mentoring the 100 Way, the national mentoring model was birthed in Rome, Georgia. Dr. Murfree is the author of the mentoring model that has been taught throughout the country and is currently practiced today. Henry “Hank” Richardson served as the second elected president. During his tenure the chapter started awarding scholarships annually and one of the original charter members retired Lt. Col. John Ware, II introduced the concept of Jr. AFROTC to the Rome City School Board which was adopted and implemented at the merged Rome High School in 1997. Charles Oliver served as the chapter’s third elected president. Curtis B. Adams served as president from 1999 – 2003 and 2012-2013. During his tenure, he is credited with giving the “100” of Rome an identity. The chapter leased its first office in 2000 and was one of the first African-American organizations to have a business office in downtown Rome. During Adams administration the Rome chapter accomplished many significant things nationally and locally. Locally, the H.I.M. Health Initiative for Men was started, it is a health screening that occurs the third Saturday in August focusing on Prostate Cancer. Nationally, Brandon Crowley was recognized as the national youth of the year in 2001. In 2003, the Rome chapter was recognized as the small chapter of the year. This award was significant because it validated Rome as the best practice of all chapters with membership between 25 – 50 members. Larry G. Morrow, Sr. was fifth elected president. During his term the chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary. President Morrow and his vice president Gregory L. Shropshire introduced the semi-annual “Gathering of Men” breakfast.
Gregory L. Shropshire became the chapter’s sixth elected president serving from 2005-2009 and 2014 -2015. During his administration the chapter achieved new highs. President Shropshire introduced Foundation Camp to the organization. Foundation Camp is a joint partnership with Georgia Highlands College. This is an annual two-week day camp for boys 10 – 14 years of age that focuses on academics and recreational activities with goal of exposing minority boys to a college campus at an early age. President Shropshire spearheaded the campaign to start Kemet Robotics. Kemet Robotics is an award winning program that provide an opportunity for young students to compete in the First Lego League and the First Tech Challenge. During President Shropshire tenure chapter celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Jerome Parks, Jr. was the chapter’s seventh elected president. During his tenure the chapter Kemet Robotics saw exponential growth and garnered several state awards.
Rayford Horne is currently the chapter's president since 2016. He has introduced another aspect to STEM and Robotics with computer programming in broadening the science and engineering foundation. Also, under his tenure, the operations of Kemet Robotics transitioned to the North Broad Youth Center in expanding their operations and in collaboration to increase youth outreach with establishments in three counties.
During the past 23 years the organization has mentored several hundred youth in the community, volunteered countless hours and contributed greater than $120,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students.