Concerned Christian Men held its’ First Annual John E. Everett Awards Dinner in 2007. Our theme for the Awards Dinner is Tough Men for a Tough Mission. The dinner honored the prominent 100 Black leaders who have served as speakers at our monthly Man-Boy Breakfasts during the 10 years of our existence and it focused a spotlight on several of our young men who have distinguished themselves during the past school year. The event occurred on Saturday, June 16th at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The late John Everett, former principal of Simeon Career Academy which hosts CCM’s monthly breakfasts, contributed to founding the organization with its driving force and Executive Director George D. Glenn. A native Chicagoan, Glenn says that CCM was born out of a need to assist African-American boys in becoming positive, contributing citizens.

“I was appalled at the state of African-American young men,” said Glenn, a graduate of Senn High School and Harvard University. “A lot of young men seemed aimless and lagging behind other groups …We want to be a dominate player in the remolding of these young men in society.”

The centerpiece of the organization’s mentorship is its monthly Man-Boy Breakfasts during which some of Chicago’s most notable men have participated as speakers. Among them: U.S. Senator Barack Obama, Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, attorney Roland Burris, former Cook County Board President John H. Stroger Jr., and real estate tycoon Dempsey Travis.

More than 20,000 men and boys have attended the breakfasts since 1996, currently averaging 480 men and boys per month. Approximately 575 young men are currently members of CCM, which recruits from Chicago Public Schools, a partner since 2002, and from word of mouth. Another of the organization’s primary focuses is its scholarship program. CCM has awarded more than $100,000 in college scholarships to nearly 60 boys since the program’s inception.

CCM’s activities also include an annual oratory contest, an annual stock market competition, and dozens of seminars and field trips to college and professional sporting events and museums.

A summer camp in Allegan, Michigan this past August allowed many young men the first opportunity to travel beyond Chicago and gain exposure to team-building, leadership training and more.

The 1st annual fundraiser was held to sponsor existing programs and to expand the organization’s services, including a 2008 goal of incorporating martial arts, career exploration, pre-algebra tutoring, and culinary arts, according to Glenn.

“We hope with this effort to build upon the successes that we’ve already seen. Thousands of young men have benefited from CCM’s services, but for me and for the generous men who have served as mentors, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We can do so much more,” added Glenn.

Funds have traditionally originated from private and corporate benefactors as well as from Chicago Public Schools.

Former Chicago Bear Dan Jiggetts presented the keynote address at the event. NBC’s Art Norman was the emcee.