The Empowerment of Black Men Through Corporate and Individual Partnerships

Seagram’s Gin’s Pursuit of Excellence Training Institute Graduation was held at the InterContinental Hotel in Westshore, Tampa on February 23, 2010. I was invited to this event by a colleague Attorney Charles M. Holloman II. He knows I champion diversity and matters that affect the community and thought I would enjoy the event and get to observe an evening with his organization, The 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay, Inc. What I experienced was simply beautiful.

The food was just right with vegetarian selections and seafood that was beyond delicious. (I mention vegetarian selections because these events tend to cater mostly to carnivores of which I am not one.) The food was duly noted and the chef deserves a pay raise. The emcee for the event was Steve “Stu” Robinson of WBTP-FM's. This article however is not about food, Mr. Robinson and ambience. It is about the positive impact a community that partners can have on its citizens. Seagram’s Gin’s Pursuit of Excellence Training Institute selects ten young Black men between ages 25-32 for a program that “celebrates African American Male Achievement”. This “cause-related” employment and job initiative is Seagram’s Gin’s way of giving back to the community in which they do business. The young men are mentored by business men of all races and a $2,500 scholarship was given to the highest achiever, 29 year old Reginald L. Burns, II. The ten graduates representing Tampa Bay are Downy Belidor (28), Alphonso Cromartie (26), Raul Gordon (26), Joseph Harris (26), Keto Hodges (29) and he is from Haiti, Dominic Lewis (31), Rashad Peterson (26), Elbert Taylor (31), Michael Williams (27) and Reginald L. Burns, II(29).

The room was filled with family and friends of the graduates. However, I observe three men being the proudest of the program and the initiative and they are Mr. Albert Lee, Jr., Mr. Henry Bell and Mr. Bill Cherrie. Mr. Cherrie, Vice President of Multicultural Marketing for Pernod Ricard USA, Parent company of Seagram’s was as genuine as you can get. Often times these corporate programs appear as a tax right off or some form of tokenism. I will say in my conversation with him, I was able to quickly discern that he is astute. He is a Caucasian man in the right position because race is not an issue for him, excellence is. He believes in the corporate program and it was not a routine initiative for him.

Mr. Lee, Jr. is the Chairman of the Corporation to Develop Communities (CDC) of Tampa, Inc. board. Mr. Lee, Jr. not slated to speak but was invited by the CEO of the CDC, Ms. Toni Watts to give a few words. His few words were not only plenty but powerful and empowering. He commanded the room as he started to address us because he made us recognize the young men and recognize each and every person that paved the way for the minority community in Tampa. Special recognition was given to Ms. Chloe Coney who had the vision for the CDC. The room was all ears even the inanimate things because Mr. Lee, Jr. brought home that each of the graduates already have in them what they needed to succeed from the day they were created and that the partnerships were merely tools to assist them in achieving. It was a great speech, a speech for champions, a speech for excellence.

Mr. Henry Bell, the outgoing president for the 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay, Inc., addressed us from the “It Takes a Village” angle. It was well suited for the event. These men were mentored by business men that simply wanted to see other men achieve, the very essence of the 100 Black Men.

Service is so important. All of us should volunteer in one form or another. This was emphasized by the keynote speaker, Edward A. Johnson, Manager of East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area. He encouraged the young men to give back to Tampa or any community that this experience leads them to because it is about caring for your fellow man.

Mr. Cherie during our conversation wondered about a practicing attorney blogging. I told him that there are about 80,000 lawyers in Florida and community events makes my life interesting. I hope this story empowers your organization to also make a difference.

I don’t drink alcohol but I’ll toast with a Seagram’s ginger ale with real lemon…cheers to Seagram’s Gin.

The photos for this event are posted on facebook on the Alicia Marie Phidd Radio Show Page. Please read the other blogs posted at www.aliciaphidd.blogspot.com

Alicia M. Phidd, M.P.S.,J.D. received her B.Sc. in Chemistry and Masters in Environmental Studies from S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook in New York and Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in Florida. She currently practices Business Law and Immigration Law in Tampa, Florida. In addition, she has taught law at Barry University, graduate school; University of Phoenix, undergraduate business school and Broward Community College. She can be reached through her website www.aliciaphidd.com and Follow her at www.twitter.com/phidd All copyrights reserved. © 2010