Mission Statement
The purpose of the Black Male Leadership Society (BMLS) is to establish and foster a sense of unity, strength, and love among Black males and to direct it towards uplifting the community at large. It is our goal to support the academic, social, intellectual and spiritual growth of Black male undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni, at The University of Georgia by maintaining a community of men who will continuously support and encourage one another. BMLS will foster positive relationships for Black men with others, to develop and highlight the leadership of black men in their communities, and to engage and affect the lives of others beyond the boundaries of UGA campus. Through the implementation of community service efforts, the BMLS seeks to insure that the strengths, talents and experiences of UGA Black men are reinvested back into the community through mentorship. Lastly, it seeks to provide for the professional, academic and personal success of Black men at UGA and to intellectually engage them in a broad range of issues facing black men and boys.
History
Established: September 4th, 2007
From A Dream, To A Vision, Into Reality
The Black Male Leadership Society is a group designed to answer the many issues plaguing black men at UGA, in Athens, and the greater community abroad. The journey to establish this group began with a dream, gained speed with the illustrious retreat, and has resulted in what we present to you today. This is the story of its inception.
In the Fall of 2006, Kerry Richardson, an alum of University of Georgia, attended a conference in Atlanta, GA called the Brothers of the Academy. Before venturing to the meeting, he was required to design a program of some sort capable of being implemented at his campus. This gave birth to the vision of the Black Male Leadership Retreat.
After discussing his vision with the advisors at the African American Cultural Center, Mr. Richardson began a quest to develop the team that would help him implement his goal. His hope was to have a panel filled with students representing all academic levels at the University of Georgia. By February of 2007, he had just that. The line up consisted of Graduate students: Robert Bryant, Christopher Daniels, Brandon Johnson, Jeshua Pringle, Tj Taylor, Marcus West, and undergraduate students: Carl Epps, Timothy Evans, Jamari Jones, and Justin Moore. Together, these men established the first Black Male Leadership Retreat on March 31st, 2007.
The retreat was a success with more then 60 men in attendance. There were high school and college students, alumni, business professionals and other interested parties in attendance. It was a time to bond and build solidarity across cultures, age groups, and socioeconomic gradations. The success of the program was so noted that many felt compelled to continue the program in some way shape or form. Mr. Richardson’s idealistic vision became a reality.
With an interest in preserving the power of such bold black unity, a number of students came together with the hopes of establishing, not only the foundation for an annual program, but a society capable of bringing black men together in solidarity at all times of the year. Over the summer of 2007, these young men worked tirelessly to piece together some semblance of a society. Eventually, this image became a reality.
By September 4th, after a series of arduous meetings, the students managed to establish the Black Male Leadership Society. With a vision, structure, and assistance from leaders from all over the black community, we stand here armed ready to combat the vicious issues facing our black men today. Gentlemen, welcome to the Black Male Leadership Society.
From A Dream, To A Vision, Into Reality
The Black Male Leadership Society is a group designed to answer the many issues plaguing black men at UGA, in Athens, and the greater community abroad. The journey to establish this group began with a dream, gained speed with the illustrious retreat, and has resulted in what we present to you today. This is the story of its inception.
In the Fall of 2006, Kerry Richardson, an alum of University of Georgia, attended a conference in Atlanta, GA called the Brothers of the Academy. Before venturing to the meeting, he was required to design a program of some sort capable of being implemented at his campus. This gave birth to the vision of the Black Male Leadership Retreat.
After discussing his vision with the advisors at the African American Cultural Center, Mr. Richardson began a quest to develop the team that would help him implement his goal. His hope was to have a panel filled with students representing all academic levels at the University of Georgia. By February of 2007, he had just that. The line up consisted of Graduate students: Robert Bryant, Christopher Daniels, Brandon Johnson, Jeshua Pringle, Tj Taylor, Marcus West, and undergraduate students: Carl Epps, Timothy Evans, Jamari Jones, and Justin Moore. Together, these men established the first Black Male Leadership Retreat on March 31st, 2007.
The retreat was a success with more then 60 men in attendance. There were high school and college students, alumni, business professionals and other interested parties in attendance. It was a time to bond and build solidarity across cultures, age groups, and socioeconomic gradations. The success of the program was so noted that many felt compelled to continue the program in some way shape or form. Mr. Richardson’s idealistic vision became a reality.
With an interest in preserving the power of such bold black unity, a number of students came together with the hopes of establishing, not only the foundation for an annual program, but a society capable of bringing black men together in solidarity at all times of the year. Over the summer of 2007, these young men worked tirelessly to piece together some semblance of a society. Eventually, this image became a reality.
By September 4th, after a series of arduous meetings, the students managed to establish the Black Male Leadership Society. With a vision, structure, and assistance from leaders from all over the black community, we stand here armed ready to combat the vicious issues facing our black men today. Gentlemen, welcome to the Black Male Leadership Society.