A new chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, a civic organization, has been chartered in Selma, and those involved are already getting to work.

The group was officially chartered as a member in Phoenix, Arizona on Dec. 10, giving Alabama its seventh chapter. The group, known as the 100 Black Men of Selma, have held numerous events, including a gentleman’s lunch and they will spend Christmas Eve at Vaughan Regional Medical Center, ensuring that everyone there has a merry Christmas.

“The community is going to be like the men in it. Active men will have an active community,” said Bishop Effell Williams, the executive director of the 100 Black Men of Selma.

The 100 Black Men of Selma will emulate the national chapter, which has four main pillars — mentoring, education, health and wellness and economic empowerment. The group in Selma specifically wants to focus on impacting the young men in our community.

“We’ve got ministers, we’ve got lawyers, we’ve got teachers, we’ve got retired individuals, we’ve got men from all different walks of life and professions, but all of us want to do something to help these young people and their journey,” said president Billy Young. “I think everybody at this table has been a beneficiary of somebody helping us and now it’s our turn.”

The Selma group currently has 33 members, but Young said they are looking for more. Anyone who wants to join has to go through a vetting process, including a background check.

Young said the idea for the 100 Black Men of Selma started a little over a year ago at a church service. That particular Sunday the speaker talked about all of the great things people in the church were doing, but he pointed out that they’d be much more powerful if working together.

“Everybody is doing something, but this is an opportunity for everybody to something together,” Young said. “We realize there is strength in numbers. We can make a bigger impact collectively.”

The slogan of the 100 Black Men of America is “What they see is what they’ll be.”

The national organization began in 1963 in New York City when a group of concerned African American men started exploring different ways to improve their city. According to the organization’s website, more than 10,000 members have been a part of 100 Black Men of America.

“If they see somebody from the same background making a difference, one at a time if we gain one, that one is going to affect somebody,” Williams said. “I say it and say it again, but good Lord if not us, then who? If not now, then when? We can’t wait any longer.”

The Selma chapter will have an official chartering and pinning ceremony in February. Anyone interested in joining can contact 874-8136.