100 Black Men of Akron calls for unity, collaboration to combat youth violence – Akron Beacon Journal

Members of 100 Black Men of Akron issued a “call to action” July 14 at Mason Community Learning Center, where more than a dozen people were injuring last week during an early-morning shooting.
“These young people who are our sons, our daughters, they’re our future and they’ve been caught in the crossfire of senseless violence,” said Akron Police Lt. Michael Murphy, a member of the local chapter of the national mentoring organization.
Murphy said a new community relations and crime prevention subdivision was created by Deputy Chief Michael Miller, who also is a member of 100 Black Men of Akron, to help with the current rise of violence.
“Today is more than just a press conference — it’s a call for action. It’s a unified response that is rooted in love, purpose, and urgency,” Murphy said.
Other members members of the organization, including 100 Black Men of Akron President Eufrancia Lash, Garfield football coach and Love Akron Executive Director Kemp Boyd, Ed Smith, Marcus Bentley, Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson and President Emeritus Michael Irby, joined Murphy at the press conference to address ongoing concerns about youth violence in Akron.
Lash asked any organizations, leaders, and citizens of the community who believe in the transformative power of unified action to form an alliance with the 100 Black Men organization and its services.
“I ask that you not view this from a critical or a competitive lens, but that you consider the collaborative and constructive opportunities that exist, and that may come out of this by encouraging and promoting a unified approach,” Lash said. “We know that the excellence and isolation is insufficient. We know that other organizations throughout the cities share our same commitment and our passion. Together, we possess a collective strength to create lasting change.”
The 100 Black Men of Akron, Inc. is the local chapter of a national organization dedicated to creating environments where children are motivated to achieve and to empower people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of their communities.
The mission of the 100 Black Men of Akron is to improve the quality of life within Black communities and enhance education and economic opportunities for all African Americans.
The Akron chapter hosts mentoring programs such as the Leadership Academy.
Smith said he wants to better prepare the youth he currently serves.
The group is expanding its services by adding a high school component to its Saturday Leadership Academy, which is designed to support youth development and community resilience, he said.
Boyd said the youth are crying out for help.
They want to feel safe and a sense of belonging, not be part of violence, he said.
“It’s a false identity born from survival not from destiny. We must respond, not just with enforcement but with engagement, not just with policy but with presence and it starts with us,” Boyd said.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said that if everyone could stand and work together, they could have a huge impact to combat the issue.
“This organization and the amount of energy of the folks standing behind me, all the organizations in the community, all the individuals in the community are committed to making a change,” he said. “I believe that we can create a safer Akron.”
For more information or to get involved with 100 Black Men of Akron, visit the organization’s website at 100bmoai.org or email info@100bmoai.org.
More than a dozen people, ranging in age from 14 to 21, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting in the early morning hours of July 7 at Mason Community Learning Center, Akron police said.
Five people were shot and at least 10 were struck by vehicles fleeing the school parking lot at 700 E. Exchange St. after 3 a.m., said Lt. Michael Murphy.
More than a hundred people, including many teenagers, were in the parking lot just before the shooting. Surveillance footage showed the large crowd running and taking cover while vehicles fled the parking lot, hitting or running over some people.
“It was complete chaos,” Murphy said.