OVERVIEW

Overview

In cultivating a robust leadership pipeline, the organization ensures its sustainability and continued relevance. As leaders are coached to align their personal development with the organization’s ethos, they become standard-bearers of the 100 Black Men’s legacy, ready to step into roles that require their unique blend of skills and cultural competence. The commitment to leadership development will also serve as a beacon to attract new members who are seeking to develop their leadership potential within a supportive and growth-oriented environment. Strategic insights and innovation in leadership approaches will keep the organization at the cutting edge of community development, fostering creative solutions to the unique challenges faced by the communities they serve.

Participant Criteria

Member in Good Standing

Maintain membership in accordance with the policies and bylaws of their local chapter before, during and for a minimum of two (2) years following graduation from the Leadership Institute.

Candidates selected for the 100 Leadership Institute will be individuals who the 100BMOA expects to take on broader leadership responsibility in their local chapters and/or on the national level.  Each participant is to conduct himself in a manner that is consistent with the moral and ethical standards of the 100 Black Men of America.  Each candidate will be expected to exhibit and uphold the following:

100 Black Men of America Leadership Characteristics

  • A leader acts with ethics and integrity
  • A leader sets vision & goal
  • A leader provides inspiration through motivation
  • A leader uses influence to achieve results
  • A leader values outcomes as a measure of performance
  • A leader demonstrates courage
  • A leader possesses the characteristics of a servant
  • A leader leads by example
  • Every action should embody our motto, “What They See Is What They’ll Be”

Nominating Rights

  • Elected District Directors from the ten new US Districts and one international district; Chapter Presidents.
  • Each District Rep may nominate candidates only from their respective district.
  • Each Chapter President may nominate candidates only from the respective chapter.
  • Any member in good standing may self-nominate.
  • All nominees must meet the established Cohort Selection
    Criteria

Application Fee for Members

Applicants are required to submit a $500 fee ($50 will be for a processing fee), which will accompany the application. If not selected for the cohort, $450 will be refunded to the applicant. All candidates selected by the interview for the Zeta cohort will be subject to a successful background check and approval of the Executive Committee.

Attendance

The Leadership Institute curriculum spans over a period of 5 months, January 2027-June 2027. One (1) Saturday per month, 6-8 hours. An additional investment of 6-8 hours per month will be expected to complete course assignments, participate in peer-to-peer cohort discussions, completion of individual personality assessments and complete a cohort team Capstone project. Saturday sessions are virtual and recorded on a Zoom platform. Attendance at the National Conference in Dallas, Texas, June 2027 is required.

100% attendance is expected; however, it is understood that circumstances will arise preventing a participant to attend a scheduled session. Any anticipated absence must be put in an email to the Institute administrator at least 72 hours prior to said absence. A maximum of one absence is permitted for the duration of the cohort.

Any participant who misses a session is required to watch the recorded session and submit a one-page summary of lessons learned to ensure that you
watched the entire session. Participants will have 5 business days to complete
this makeup assignment.

These absences are subject to the following conditions:

Final session and Commencement are MANDATORY with respect to attendance.

In addition, Leadership Institute will conduct:

  • Five (5) curriculum-based weekend sessions are focused on key leadership and community issues.
  • Five (5) peer-to-peer discussion sessions will follow each of the five (5) curriculum sessions.

Termination

A participant can be terminated from the Leadership Institute during the course of the curriculum, if any of the following are discovered:

  • Failure to maintain Member-in-Good Standing status
  • Failure to demonstrate the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. leadership characteristics through unacceptable actions
  • Failure to adhere to the aforementioned attendance requirements may affect continuance in the program

Post-Graduation

Upon graduation from the Leadership Institute, all graduates will be recognized as Leadership Institute alumni

Each graduate is expected to:

  • Remain a Member-in-Good standing consistent with his chapter’s policies and bylaws for a minimum of two years
  • Serve as leaders during this two-year period, by actively supporting the Four for the Future initiatives
  • Personally mentor at least one mentee per school year (Middle to High School, Collegiate 100 or Emerging Leaders)
  • Chair or Co-Chair a committee or an initiative at either the local and/or national level according to election and/or appointment policies at either level
  • Within 6 months of course completion, cohort participants are required to contribute/raise $1000 on behalf of Leadership Institute operating expenses

Each cohort participant that has successfully completed his session will receive a Leadership Institute Certificate of Completion and other forms of recognition at the commencement ceremony.

Application process

  • The online application commences Monday, October 5, 2026, and closes on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Zeta Cohort Participant Out of Pocket Expenses

Each selected participant will be financially responsible for the following:

  • 2027 National Conference Registration fee
  • 50% of one-night hotel expense for National Conference (Dallas, TX)
  • $1000 Give/Get funding towards Leadership Institute (obligation must be fulfilled within 6 months of graduation)

Ready to Apply?

Step up, take charge, and be the catalyst for change in your community. Apply now to unlock your leadership potential and make a lasting impact!

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