MENTORING

Our education initiative at the elementary level is the Book Buddies. This program is reading/literacy collaborative with Denmark and Whiteville Elementary Schools and the 100 Black Men of West Tennessee, Inc. Children learn by observing and imitating adults. As the 100 Black Men's motto states, "What They See Is What They Will Be."

To this end, the Book Buddies Program provides positive images of adult males in the reading/literacy process. The program demonstrates the initial skills children need for reading success. Reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for building the knowledge and skills needed for reading/literacy competence.

Once a month, members of the "100" read and discuss age/grade appropriate books with Pre-K through Grade 6 students. Moreover, the books that are read each month are given to their classroom libraries. In 2007, the Book Buddies Program received the Excellence in Education Award from the Tennessee School Board Association.

Through the generous financial support from individuals and the business/corporate community our Annual Scholarship Benefit Gala funds our mentoring and education programs: F.A.M.I.L.Y., 21st Century Scholars, and Book Buddies.