Since being chartered in spring of 2021, it’s been full steam ahead for the LU Collegiate 100 chapter.
In early February, C100 member and now LU alum
DeShaun Bell snagged first place with her poster design for the national Stop the Violence billboard and social media design contest hosted by the
100 Black Men of America. The organization was later chosen as one of the top 10 chapters by the 100 Black Men of America to participate in the launch of the
2022 Collegiate 100 Leadership and Career Institute –– a pilot program focused on providing C100 members with leadership development and professional growth opportunities. Through the institute, C100 chapter teams were tasked with exploring diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives of organizations, corporations and government agencies –– federal, state and local –– post the murder of George Floyd strategies and methodologies to aid 100 Black Men of America partners in meeting their diversity and inclusion objectives.
![100 Black Men of America Annual conference](../../../_files/images/2022/1655682494485.jpeg)
“I am so proud that ‘proud’ is not a big enough word to describe it,” said Kathryn Washington, assistant professor of educational leadership and C100 chapter advisor.
On Friday, June 17, three LU C100 members –– Chidi Orakpo, DeShaun Bell and Whyrlincea Hooks –– made their way to Hollywood, Florida, to present their case study to company executives at the annual 100 Black Men of American, Inc conference. With Chidi Orakpo as chapter president, the group competed head-to-head with C100 chapters from Florida A&M and Xavier University ultimately snagging first place with a near perfect score for their presentation.
“As I was telling everyone at the conference, our organization has only been in existence since 2021, but our students started working to make a difference on campus, in the community and nationally immediately. I’m just trying to keep up.”
The group won $1,000 to go toward their chapter and Washington said she hopes the groups recognition will garner and attract more students to join the organization. “In doing so, we can give more students these opportunities to make a positive impact on our campus, in the community and now nationally. Our C100 maybe new and small but they are making big waves!”