The 100 Black Men of America Inc. is an international organization that mentors African-American youth, and it is coming to Robert Morris University.

“The mission of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans,” according to the organization’s website.

RMU will be opening a collegiate branch of the 100 Black Men of America Inc. this spring semester. Michael W. Quigley, Ph.D., assistant professor of organizational leadership, is leading the initiative along with support from other RMU faculty members. It will offer mentorship for the African American student body and will better the community, according to Yasmin S. Purohit, Ph.D., the chief diversity inclusion officer.

“When you focus on unrepresented groups in any area it is a chain reaction,” states Purohit, “It is bound to have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the community.”

The reason for the spring launch is so it will be “in conjunction with the launch of other collegiate branches,” according to Quigley. Also, on Feb. 1 presidential Christopher B. Howard, RMU’s first African American president, will be be beginning his presidency. This also slightly influenced the decision to launch in spring.

“The organization is committed to mentoring, educating, health and wellness, and financial literacy. Focusing on our target population which is the African American youth,” states Quigley.

The organization began in 1963 in New York and has grown exponentially since then. With 104 chapters in the United States, the 100 Black Men of America also extends to The United Kingdom, Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada, according to Quigley.

“With the chapter on campus, it will be a great way for our African America youth to receive the attention and mentorship needed to academically and professionally thrive,” states Purohit.