Earlier this month, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta hosted its signature fundraiser, the 100 Honors Gala, in person for the first time in four years. 

Over a thousand people attended the black tie event to help the organization support its Project Success programs. 

“Project Success is composed of several smaller initiatives like our Pathways of Development where we bring in individuals from various professions and they speak with the kids about their educational journeys, what their career paths look like and what they need to do if they want to pursue a similar career path,” said Keith Milliner, Immediate Past Chair of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. 

Heeding the social distancing recommendations due to the pandemic and transitional issues prevented the members from hosting the gala for the past four years. 

The 100 Atlanta’s chairman, Sidney Barron, said they recently attempted a virtual format of the gala but were not as successful as in the past. 

“This was our first gala in four years due to COVID and we haven’t been able to get off the ground with something since 2019,” said Louis Negron, Executive Director for the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. 

Barron said now was a great time to return the program to its original form. 

Now adapting to the new normal due to the pandemic, Negron said it was almost like a reintroduction to the Atlanta community. 

With “Empowering Our Youth” as its theme, the 100 used the opportunity to celebrate local companies and individuals doing that today.

Ranging from education, entertainment and social action, the 100 selected those who demonstrated the same efforts they try to instill in their mentees — mentorship, education, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, and health and wellness. 

“The biggest thing for us was securing who to honor and since it was four years since the last time we honored…