Last Thursday, the Selma chapter of 100 Black Men of America held its bi-weekly mentoring session with students at R.B. Hudson Middle School.

The students heard from Cindy Owens, a retired educator and activist from Selma. Owens protested during the Voting Rights Movement as a student at Keith High School in Orrville and was a personal friend of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks.

Emerging 100 Chairman Robert Stewart, who was on hand for the session, said Owens’ talk was “sobering, yet inspiring,” as it touched on issues of mass incarceration, the criminal justice system and black history.

“I learned a lot of great things that African Americans have done,” said Kendarius Acoff, one of the students who attended the talk. “I feel like I can do extraordinary things in my future.”

Alongside Stewart were Alabama Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, Charles Johnson, Kenyotta Rucker and Dr. Donald Jefferson.

“Mentoring is the most worthwhile act of community engagement,” Stewart said. “The greatest impact that one can have is molding and preparing youth for the future.  While other community service acts are helpful, it is more impactful to strive to have a positive impact on people.  We all have an obligation to mentor and share what we know because education is a community project; it makes us a better society.”

The organization has held a bevy of activities during its regular mentoring session, including golf lessons, classes on professional dress and how to tie neckties, lessons in conflict resolution and much more.

“My involvement is very fulfilling,” Stewart said. “It’s a full circle moment.”

The 100 Black Men of America is an international men’s civic organization dedicated to mentoring, education, leadership development, economic empowerment and health and wellness. For more information or to get involved with the group, email selma100blackmen@gmail.com.