(KRON) -- The 100 Black Men of the Bay Area raised $50,000 for community programs and served more than 1,800 hot meals in 2025. The local chapter, part of a national non-profit mentoring organization, highlighted these milestones this February as part of Black History Month. The organization focuse s on mentoring young Black men by providing resources for education, health and wellness. In addition to its fundraising efforts, the group uses career expos and financial literacy programs to create paths for generational wealth and long-term success. The organization's 2025 community outreach included building two new playgrounds and organizing wellness walks to promote physical health. Members also participated in blood drives and packed tens of thousands of meals for distribution across the region. These efforts were paired with serving more than 1,800 hot meals directly to residents in need. Educational initiatives within the chapter focus on financial literacy, mentorship and scholarships provided through career expos and classroom sessions. The programs aim to provide students with access to educational resources and professional examples to help them prepare for future careers. James Harris, who is connected to the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area chapter, said the organization intends to remain a consistent presence for local residents. "We stand for being a fabric. Being part of the fabric of the community," Harris said. Harris also highlighted the specific importance of financial education in the current economic and political environment. He explained that providing a structured understanding of money is a step toward building long-term stability for families. "It's really important that we have true structure around understanding where you came from, understanding your money and making it go as far as possible for you," Harris said. "And then being able to create a pedestal for generational wealth." "The interesting thing about narratives is someone has to write them," Harris said regarding the future of the community. "Why not write our own." All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published. ...read more read less