100 Black Men of Coastal NC Mentors Youth on Life Skills

The organization aims to empower Black youth through mentorship, education, and community support.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina, part of the larger 100 Black Men of America organization, is sharing the importance of its youth mentorship programs during Black History Month. The local chapter, founded in 2007, serves youth across five counties in southeastern North Carolina, primarily in New Hanover County. The chapter's programs focus on mentoring, economic empowerment, education, and health and wellness, with the goal of providing positive role models and opportunities for Black youth in the community.

Why it matters

The 100 Black Men of America is the largest African American-led youth mentoring organization in the world, recognizing the critical need for positive male role models and support systems for Black youth. The Coastal North Carolina chapter aims to fill a gap in the community and help guide young people, especially Black males, towards academic, personal, and professional success.

The details

The chapter's two primary programs include a middle school mentoring program, where members are assigned to local middle schools, and the Success Academy, a co-ed program for students from late middle school through high school that meets at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. During their Saturday morning sessions, the mentors cover topics such as dining etiquette, business meeting conduct, and hands-on financial literacy training focused on stock trading and investing.

  • The Coastal North Carolina chapter was founded in 2007.
  • The mentors and mentees met on Saturday morning on the UNCW campus.

The players

100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina

A local chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, the largest African American-led youth mentoring organization in the world, with over 110 chapters worldwide.

John Battle

One of the founding members of the Coastal North Carolina chapter, who saw a need for male role models in the community and aimed to provide support and guidance for Black youth.

Kevin Briggs

The president of the local 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina chapter, who oversees the organization's programming focused on economic empowerment, mentoring, education, and health and wellness.

Amari Libingi

A senior at Laney High School who has been a mentee in the 100 Black Men program for five years, crediting the organization with helping him become more confident, make new friends, and improve his academic performance.

Joseph Conway

A board member of the 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina, who emphasizes the importance of mentors serving as positive role models and examples for the youth they work with.

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What they’re saying

“We saw a need, you know, with our youth, and especially the black male young students, we saw a great need in our community to have them to focus. And we thought we could bring some quality of life to them.”

— John Battle, Founding Member (foxwilmington.com)

“You know, I consider it an honor, and it's a great opportunity to really invest in young people, but also share what was shared with me along the way. It's kind of paying it forward and giving back in a way that really helps to bring the value to our community overall.”

— Kevin Briggs, President (foxwilmington.com)

“Well, so first, I didn't want to join this because I was scared. My mom made me do it, but once I, like, gotten into it, I was no more confident. I used to be antisocial, but I'm not anymore. I broke out of that. This group made me — I made new friends, made new people, met new opportunities, and this is just a great place to be at.”

— Amari Libingi, Mentee (foxwilmington.com)

“The 100 Black Men, we actually have a trademark, and it's called, what they see is what they'll be. And no one else can use that. So it is paramount that our members, that anyone that we invite to be in front of our students, represents that. Something that they can achieve, something that they can overcome, something that they can see themselves fulfilling in the future.”

— Joseph Conway, Board Member (foxwilmington.com)

What’s next

The 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina will continue to expand its mentorship programs and community outreach efforts to support more Black youth in the region.

The takeaway

The 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina is making a meaningful impact on the lives of Black youth in the community, providing them with positive role models, educational resources, and opportunities to develop essential life skills. Their work highlights the importance of mentorship and community-based initiatives in empowering the next generation of Black leaders.