Aetna Co-Sponsoring 30th Annual 100 Black Men of America Conference

Atlanta, GA -- Aetna has become an official co-sponsor for the 30th annual conference of the 100 Black Men of America (BMOA), continuing its joint mission with the community organization to help improve the lives, educational opportunities and health status of African American people.

This year’s convention, entitled, “Thirty Years of Mentoring: Positive Influence, Powerful Impact,” is being held June 15-19 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Aetna’s sponsorship includes hosting the annual 5-K “Run of Show” for the DeKalb County Chapter of the 100 BMOA on Saturday, June 18.

“Aetna values its longstanding relationship with the 100 Black Men of America,” said Floyd W. Green III, Aetna vice president of Community Relations and Urban Marketing. “In addition to supporting their efforts to improve opportunity and quality of life for African American people, Aetna has been able to advance its goals of ending racial and ethnic disparities in health care and delivering more healthy days for the people we serve.”

“We are extremely proud of the 100’s longstanding relationship with Aetna,” said Curley Dossman Jr., chairman of the 100 Black Men of America Inc. “Aetna not only walks the walk when it comes to working for better health outcomes; it is also ‘running the run’ as co-hosts of the 5-K run Saturday. Their sponsorship of this conference speaks to Aetna’s commitment to the 100’s mission, and our health and wellness pillar in particular. We are immensely appreciative of their continued support.”

Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have collaborated for 13 years with the 100 BMOA and its various chapters on numerous programs, including:

• Presenting the Community Empowerment Project (CEP), Aetna Daily Fitness and various workshops and seminars and 100 BMOA conferences each year;
• Conducting “barbershop tours” in St. Louis;
• Hosting “back to school” health fairs and town hall meetings in Atlanta; and
• Sponsoring the Bank of America-Atlanta Football Classic for several years.

Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have donated more than $1.8 million in community grants to programs administered by the BMOA.

The overall concept of the 100 began in New York in 1963 when a group of concerned African American men began to meet to explore ways of improving conditions in their community. The group eventually adopted the name, "100 Black Men, Inc." as a sign of solidarity. These men envisioned an organization that would implement programs designed to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities. They also wished to ensure the future of their communities by aiming an intense number of resources toward youth development. These members were successful black men from various walks of life. These visionaries were business and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson.

Since its inception the organization has grown to over 100 chapters with more than 10,000 members who continue to strive to improve the quality of life in our communities and enhance the educational and economic opportunities for African Americans. 100 Black Men of America Inc. affects more than 125,000 youths annually through its mentoring and youth development programs. With a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for African Americans, members of the 100 continue to serve as a strong force in the world by overcoming the cultural and financial obstacles that have limited the achievements of some African Americans, particularly young African American males.