College fund seeks donors

Casarae Latimore didn't have money to attend college, but he knew he was going anyway, and that a scholarship from the 100 Black Men of Bradley County was going to help pay for it.

"Without it, I probably would not have been able to finish in the same time frame and I probably would have debt. Now I have none," he said.

The 28-year-old information technology supervisor is one of seven 100 Black Men scholarship recipients who will speak at the organization's 15th annual banquet and fundraiser on Saturday.

100 Black Men has distributed about $750,000 in scholarships to nearly 150 Bradley County students over 15 years, officials say. The organization also provides mentors who stress the importance of education.

To date, 43 students have graduated and others are still in school, program officials said. Some have dropped out of the program, moved out of Bradley County or gone into the military.

But the organization needs funds to continue providing scholarships, officials said.

The George R. Johnson Family Foundation, the family that owns Hardee's restaurants in the Cleveland area, agreed in 2009 to give 100 Black Men $15,000 a year for five years.

"We believe that the best way for the community to improve is for everyone to have an opportunity to get an education," said Janice Wilson, executive director of the foundation.

But that donation doesn't make up for other lost donations, said Dr. Michael J. Laney, chairman of the organization's scholarship and education committee. Some former corporate donors were bought by other companies and the new owners didn't keep the commitments. Others have scaled back because of the economy.

The number of $15,000-a-year platinum sponsors has dropped from three to one, Dr. Laney said. Gold-level sponsors, who give from $10,000 to $14,999, dropped from five to three. There used to be five silver-level sponsors who gave $5,000 to $9,999, but none is still active.

The number of scholarships is down from a peak of 51 to 36 this year. Support ranges from full tuition support to grants up to $900 for students who maintain a 2.5 GPA, Dr. Laney said.

"I hate losing ground like that," he said.

Mary Kamuiru graduated college after 100 Black Men paid more than half of her tuition at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She became a registered nurse and now works at Memorial Hospital.

"I knew I was going to school one way or the other, but I don't think I would have completed school as timely," she said. "I would have had to work extra to pay tuition."