However, the program focused on showcasing the accomplishments of the youth that the 100 Black Men of North Metro support. The luncheon also recognized outstanding leaders in the community.

Sixty three mentees from the chapter's Men of Tomorrow program came in and sat at a special table in the center of the room.

Early in the program the eighth president for the organization, Harold Hamilton, spent five minutes updating a crowd that almost filled the room to its capacity, about the programs the organization maintains.
"This is not the time to cut back on the investment in our youth. North Metro is serving as the example in what we all need to do; invest where it matters in the youth of the day, who are the leaders of tomorrow," he said." We are excited about the growth in our annuity partnership which includes our premier partners AARP, UPS and Wal-Mart*, who are all represented here today. It is through the strength of these relationships that we are empowered to support these important programs ... Ladies and gentlemen, sponsors, members and special guests, the state of our chapter is reflected by the students and mentees seated before me . They are vibrant, focused and full of potential, with your continued help and support, North Metro will also continue to thrive. "

Vocalist Johnnie Proby and saxophonist James Wilson provided entertainment.

Later, the 2009 Image Award recipients were called to the stage and received recognition plaques for their contributions. Atlanta School Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall; United States Army Lt. General Russel Honore; Fox 5 television news anchor, Lisa Rayam; announcer Jennifer Keitt of Today's Black Woman Radio and AARP Regional Vice President, South East, John Caine II all spoke briefly.

Chapter member James Carter, who works as an area superintendent for Cobb County schools, recognized Atlanta Public School Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall for being named Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Administrators. Carter gave her a chance to "drop some knowledge" on the young people in the crowd.

General Honore had engagements that prevented him from staying throughout the entire ceremony. He did, however, spend time with chapter president Hamilton before the luncheon started and expressed his appreciation for receiving the Image award.  Honore became a household name during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He coordinated efforts to help people devastated by the storm. He told Mr. Hamilton the experience caused him to rethink his goals.

"What I decided to do the rest of my life is (to have) a life dedicated to preparedness and to bring light to the poor people who are struggling in America, just like the people were struggling in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans ", he said. "I want to remind folks that there's a Ninth Ward in every city and that's where the poor, the disabled and the elderly live." He said he never wants America to have another event like Katrina and he wants to work with the 100 Black Men to teach preparedness to young people.

Another well known person who addressed the audience was the afternoon's keynote speaker. Chris Webber has been a familiar face to sports fans for years. He's been an NBA All-Star four times and spent more than 15 years in the league. He has played on teams that have been to the NCAA finals twice. He now works as a studio analyst for NBA-TV and will perform guest analyst duties through 2009 for TNT.  His speech kept everyone's attention because he used humor and personal experience to encourage the young people in the audience. He credited his parents for taking him out of a dangerous educational environment against his wishes.

"I'm 14… I'm the highest recruited high school student or eighth grader coming out of the city of Detroit… So I think I know it all and then here comes my Mom. Mom says 'You know what? I have a school for you to go to. It's Detroit Country Day School. It is in the suburbs of Detroit. You will have to wear a suit and tie every day. There are about 1200 kids and 40 black men and if you don't like it you can move out', he joked.
But he became serious when he urged the mentees in the audience to understand that they needed wiser minds to guide them.

"One advantage that I had is I had a support system. Because in a support system you're not always allowed to do what you want to do. In a support system they think about the best outcome for you and your total life." he told everyone.

Webber concluded his speech by thanking his personal mentors and those from the 100 Black Men North Metro who spend time helping to shape young lives. He ended by asking all the Men of Tomorrow mentees to stand behind him on stage as a show of unity.

Later in the program Webber took the oath of office for the chapter and become a member of the 100 Black Men of North Metro.

Then the high achievers from the Men of Tomorrow had their opportunity to take the stage. All graduating high school seniors received a $1,000 scholarship while others were applauded for other academic and personal achievements. The final award for a young person went to Kelvin Walker - the 2009 Mentee of the Year for the Men of Tomorrow Mentoring Program. He spoke to his fellow mentees, parents and the North Metro members about his honor.

The program concluded with David Pressley and Paul Rousseau receiving Brother of the Year awards for mentoring and a speech from the CEO of the 100 Black Men of America, John Hammond.

Hammond opened his address by making a lighthearted reference to the visitors caged in water - who would remain in the ballroom after the event had ended.

The 100 Black Men of North Metro have operated as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization since 1992. The Youth Achievement luncheon is their largest yearly fundraising activity. AARP - The American Association of Retired Persons was the presenting corporate sponsor for the luncheon. The Red Cross, Wal-Mart*, Bank of America, Chick-Fil-A, Cobb EMC, Pfizer, Publix and the United States Army also sponsored the event. Chapter Vice president Dwight Kelly recognized all supporters at the start of the program and also offered final remarks.

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The MEN OF TOMORROW ARE a group of young people mentored by the 100 Black Men North Metro from Gwinnett, Cobb and North Fulton counties in Georgia. The program has operated for nine years. Mentors meet with students bi weekly but are available to them all year. There were five people in the program when it started. Today there are more than eighty.