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SKANEATELES, N.Y. — When Adrian Autry became the Syracuse men’s basketball head coach last year, he wanted to use his platform to give back to the community. His predecessor, Jim Boeheim, was heavily involved in his own foundation, which focuses on promoting cancer research and lessening inequality in the region. But Autry wished to find his own avenue.

Through his wife, Andrea, Autry met Doug Pinckney — CEO of the Pinckney Hugo Group, a marketing and communications firm in Syracuse. He was involved in and fundraised for 100 Black Men of Syracuse. The organization’s mission is to offer male mentorship and fundraising efforts to underprivileged kids in the Syracuse area.

From Autry’s first meeting with Pinckney and the leaders of 100 Black Men of Syracuse, he knew he found the right place. Autry attended the 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s Golf Tournament fundraiser at the Skaneateles Country Club Monday. The event is one of the organization’s main fundraisers, and it’s estimated to have had around 120 golfers participate. In total, it was projected to raise between $60,000 and $70,000, which go fully toward scholarships.

The scholarship money can be used for college, work-training opportunities or private school. It also aims to provide programs that offer important life skills such as financial literacy, job opportunities and nutrition to prepare young people for adulthood.

“There is a particular necessity for young men to see positive male role models — men who are dedicated, consistent and invested in their growth,” Drake Harrison, 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s executive director, said. “While we acknowledge the support of women, we emphasize the importance of men being present in the lives of young men.”

Autry grew up in a single-parent household where his father was out of the picture. He said his mentors were the older men in the neighborhood. When they found out Autry was good at basketball, they helped guide him in the right direction.

“Everybody needs that kind of support,” Autry said. “Even when kids have a family, sometimes they don’t always listen to their parents. That’s why having an organization like this, with people committed to helping and guiding them, is so important.”

Autry played a round of golf with SU assistant coaches Dan Engelstad and Allen Griffin, then spoke at the reception to end the event. Autry discussed how he became involved with 100 Black Men of Syracuse and why the organization’s mission spoke to him. He also brought up the importance of Syracuse’s basketball program giving back to the community, whether with time or their presence and engagement.

He even shifted the conversation to SU’s upcoming basketball season, briefly indulging attendees with a breakdown of the Orange’s key returning players and transfers.

“I think we all want the same thing: the development of men, not (only) on the basketball court,” Autry said.

100 Black Men of Syracuse predominantly serves young Black men, but the program’s outreach extends to all youth in the Syracuse area.

The organization was founded in 2008 and has expanded its efforts since. When 100 Black Men of Syracuse started, it had about 20 members. Now, it has 41. The ultimate goal, as the name implies, is to have 100 members. It collaborates with schools, churches and community centers, among others, to find young people in the community. It also takes referrals from those interested in getting involved with its programs.

The idea of a golf tournament came to the organization’s attention last year.

Syracuse men’s basketball coach Adrian Autry attended the second annual golf tournament run by 100 Black Men of Syracuse. Sean Sterling | Contributing Photographer

“Sports like basketball and football are popular, but golf is experiencing a resurgence,” Harrison said. “Our tournament serves multiple purposes. It brings people together to discuss our programs, network and have fun, all while raising awareness.”

100 Black Men of Syracuse is currently collaborating with the Professional Golfers’ Association of America Reach program, whose mission is to positively impact the lives of young and diverse populations by enabling access to golf. The PGA Reach program will offer a year-long fellowship with the PGA to one high school graduate from 100 Black Men of Syracuse.

The fellowship will focus on learning about the business of golf. Harrison said he aims to host a youth golf tournament down the road in addition to the one held Monday, which solely featured adults.

Once involved, 100 Black Men of Syracuse has multiple ways for students to build life skills. The organization partners with the Syracuse Police Department to bridge the gap between the police and the community, while showing young people available career opportunities in law enforcement.

“One of our mottos is, ‘What they see is what they’ll be,’” Harrison said. “By showing them these professions, it influences and inspires them to pursue similar careers as they grow older.”

When the students move on from the program, a point of pride is to become mentors themselves. Organization president Claude Greene stressed the importance of being a mentor for a lifetime, even when they graduate from 100 Black Men of Syracuse.

Marc Jones, the CEO of Dreissig Apparel, who has produced the branded apparel for 100 Black Men of Syracuse for the last nine years, said it’s an organization that is needed in the Syracuse area. He cited the high child poverty rate and overall poverty rate of the city. According to syracuse.com, the city has the second-highest child poverty rate in the United States among cities with more than 100,000 residents at 45.8% from 2017 to 2022.

“They (100 Black Men of Syracuse) are trying to help establish a better, successful future for our youth here in central New York,” Jones said.

Even if most people at the tournament — including Autry — downplayed their golf ability, the main objective to raise awareness of the organization and raise scholarship funds was achieved.

“You can change a young person’s life in ways that you can’t imagine,” J.B. McCampbell, 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s chief communications officer, said. “Years later, those who we’ve mentored come to us and thank us for what we’ve done. So, we just want to reach more young people and just grow as an organization.”

After two years of the 100 Black Men of Syracuse holding a golf tournament, both the leaders of the organization and Autry are committed to growing its impact in the future.

“We need to keep bringing more people along — not just for this event but throughout the entire year — so that we can get the support needed to continue helping the community,” Autry said.

Published on September 17, 2024 at 10:26 pm

Contact Nicholas: njalumka@syr.edu