CLC board meets 'Men of Vision'

About a dozen young men in dark suits, white shirts and red ties were as impressive for what they do as how they looked when College of Lake County board members were briefed about their club Tuesday night.

CLC psychology Professor Eric Rogers led the presentation about the Men of Vision organization. Men of Vision is a local chapter of the nationwide Student African American Brotherhood.

Men of Vision's goal is to address and provide support for male CLC students to maximize college academic stability as well as promote maturity, accountability, focus, character and community activism. The national group is more targeted to at-risk blacks and Latino young men.

“We entitled our chapter ‘Men of Vision' to embrace males of all backgrounds,” said Rogers, who leads the CLC effort that began in 2009 through the sponsorship of President Jerry Weber.

Rogers said the roughly dozen Men of Vision students in the dark suits and red ties in the meeting room Tuesday night are among 70 full-time members. Another 25 CLC students participate part time.

In addition to working with each other, the Men in Vision this year visited Zion-Benton High School, stressing the importance of graduating. The club's motto is “Salvaging Dreams and Saving Lives.”

Men of Vision was given the national chapter of the year award in 2010 by Student African American Brotherhood. CLC bested 282 other chapters.

CLC board member Richard Anderson complemented Rogers on his enthusiasm as a Men of Vision adviser.

“Well done, gentlemen,” CLC board Chairman William Griffin said.

Weber said about 600 students are expected to attend a gathering sponsored by Men of Vision on CLC's main campus in Grayslake on Oct. 19. It's called the Man-Up Conference.

Tyrone Bledsoe launched Student African American Brotherhood in 1990 at Georgia Southwestern State University. He most recently had been vice President for student life and special assistant to the president at University of Toledo, but now is serving in a temporary role as the group's executive director.