The conference also combats the countless negative stereotypes associated with Young Men of Color by providing concrete resources related to real barriers that interfere with building successful futures. Today we have over 100 men from the community who have volunteered to support our young men and serve as Mentors for the day. In an effort to bring this initiative to scale SCEI has partnered with the following organizations to broaden our collective impact on the community:<\/p>\n

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1. The Newark Mentoring Movement (NMM)<\/strong>. NMM is a Newark based 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization that coordinates a network of mentoring programs that serve youth in Newark. NMM’s goal is to increase both the number of youth served through mentoring in Newark and the quality of those services.\u00a0The organization launches and supports programs, shares resources and learning, pilots innovating models, recruit\u2019s mentors, builds community, and tracks progress in the Newark mentoring field.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

   2. The Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Office for Diversity and Community Engagement<\/strong> is an extension of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Their goal is to develop underrepresented individuals in medicine and other health professions. They also develop cultural competencies in youth through workshops, community service, and humanism in all aspects of medical education.<\/p>\n

   3. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.<\/strong> \u2013 Chi Sigma Alumni Chapter<\/strong> \u2013 this chapter was chartered in 1923 in Newark, NJ by the late Dr. Thomas Wright who was then the leading African American physician in the city of Newark. The fraternities Motto is, \u201cCulture for Service and Service for Humanity\u201d. Since its inception Chi Sigma chapter has met the needs of the community by providing hot meals, clothing, toys, and over $75,000 in scholarships to deserving college-bound high school seniors. Chi Sigma chapter has the largest Mentoring program (known as the \u201cSigma Beta Club\u201d) in the entire fraternity, including active Male Mentoring programs in the city of Newark located at Rutgers NJ Medical School and West Side High School, in Irvington at Irvington High School, in Roselle at Abraham Clark High School, and in Plainfield at Stillman Elementary School and Plainfield High School.<\/p>\n

   This is the third year of collaboration for this event, but the work goes far beyond this annual conference.\u00a0This event rests on and supports long-term mentoring relationships between young men and successful men of color from the community. We would like to thank the following professionals for volunteering their time for this event:<\/p>\n

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   The Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Chi Sigma Alumni Chapter, Brothers Will Worley, Nigel Coelho Hamilton, Bernard Hamilton, John Brewington Ron Rivera of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Chike \u201cEntrepreneur Coach\u201d Uzoka, Dr. Tyree Winters, Nicholas Ramjattan, Jayked Acosta and Saul Bautista from the Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School.<\/strong><\/p>\n

   SCEI partners with the\u00a0Chi Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.and underwrites the activities of their Sigma Beta Clubs (SBCs) across Northern New Jersey.\u00a0SCEI currently runs a club at South 17th St. and West Side High School in the West Ward of Newark, connecting boys with members of our fraternity to build relationships that last through middle school, high school, and beyond.\u00a0Our mentoring program focuses on develop\u00a0positive values, leadership skills, and cultural awareness in Young Men of Color during the formative years of their growth and development. For more information on SCEI or any of the partnering organizations, please see below:<\/p>\n

   Jenabu C. Williams, MPA<\/p>\n

   Executive Director, Sigma Community Enrichment Initiative<\/p>\n

   973-953-4419<\/a> (cell)<\/p>\n

   www.sceifoundation.org\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

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   Elizabeth Weisholtz<\/p>\n

   Executive Director, Newark Mentoring Movement<\/p>\n

   973-286-2472 (Office)<\/u><\/p>\n

   www.newarkmentoring.org<\/a><\/p>\n

   Mentor Recruitment link:\u00a0www.newarkmentoring.org\/submit-your-profile<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

   Mercedes Padilla-Register, M.A.<\/p>\n

   SMART and SYSP Program Administrator<\/p>\n

   Office for Diversity and Community Engagement<\/p>\n

   New Jersey Medical School<\/p>\n

   Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey<\/p>\n

   973.972.3762<\/a> (Office)<\/p>\n

   Mercedes.p.register@njms.rutgers.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

   Kobina Thomas<\/p>\n

   President, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.<\/p>\n

   Chi Sigma Alumni Chapter<\/p>\n

   P.O. Box 158 Orange, NJ 07501<\/p>\n

   Chisigma.org<\/u><\/p>\n

   \u201cHE WHO IS NOT COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO TAKE RISK WILL ACCOMPLISH NOTHING IN LIFE\u2026\u201d MUHAMMAD ALI<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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