By Jamal Thomas

MONTGOMERY, AL — In a powerful demonstration of community solidarity, the 100 Black Men of Greater Montgomery and Capitol Market joined forces today at Johnson Abernathy Graetz (JAG) High School to honor faculty and staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. The event served as a celebration of the “village” required to educate the city’s youth, providing both financial resources and a week-long experience of gratitude.

The 100 Black Men of Montgomery presented the school with a $2,500 check and Capitol Market presented one for $500.

​The donations will help fund a specialized schedule of events designed to nourish and celebrate the school’s dedicated educators. Events for the week include a popcorn bar, ice cream bar, coffee and donuts, and a catered lunch. The “Grand Finale” will be on Friday— a school-wide barbecue to close out the week.

​​The donation will also help teachers provide resources and supplies that are needed for the classroom.

​While the immediate focus was on Teacher Appreciation, the leadership of 100 Black Men highlighted their broader, ongoing involvement with JAG High School students through several high-impact initiatives:

​Junior Investment Program: Sponsored by Wells Fargo, Over 20 JAG students recently completed financial training. Each student will receive $200 to start their own investment portfolio.

​”Breakfast with Dads”: This program saw a massive jump in participation this year, growing from 50 attendees to approximately 300.

​In addition, plans are underway to take local students to the organization’s national conference in New York for professional exposure.

​For the organization, the financial gift is only one part of their mission. Dr. Ed Brown, CEO of 100 Black Men Greater Montgomery, emphasized that physical “presence” is the most vital asset they can offer the students at JAG.

​”The money is a small piece… it’s needed to help out, but our presence is the biggest part of what we do,” Brown said. “If our young folks don’t see us as Black men and women getting involved with the mainstream to make things happen, they may not know it could ever happen”.

​JAG High School Principal Phillip Brooks expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the faculty. “My objective is to make sure that teachers are appreciated. They do a great job, come in daily, and this will help boost their morale.”

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