FA Celebrates 100 Man Welcome

More than 100 men from our community lined school hallways and stairwells, greeting scholars with cheers, handmade posters, noisemakers and fist bumps for our annual 100 Man Welcome.

"It means so much to our scholars to see men from our community – various professions and backgrounds – cheering them on to start the school day," said FA CEO Sheria McRae. "The support today showed that hard work, achievement and character are seen – and celebrated."

Men from throughout Trenton, including Mayor Reed Gusciora, community leaders, business owners, workers, and fraternity members, arrived at sunrise to support one another and encourage scholars K-12 at both FA campuses.

The show of support is needed, said John Paxton, Collegiate Dean of Culture. Too often, youth search for guidance and feel no one is there. The strong showing was a good step and should include  ongoing mentorship and support.

"It is all of us; it is all of Trenton that is necessary at this point," Mr. Paxton said. "It's not one person; it's not two people. It's the men that are going to continue to make an impact."

Pastor Antonio Bellamy of Transformation Church, who is a member of the FA Board of Trustees, inspired those gathered at FA's K-8 campus on State Street, saying "only together can we stand for our youth."

Leslie Summiel, president of the Trenton Branch NAACP, shared plans to launch a high school NAACP branch at FA Collegiate, along with a junior youth council for younger scholars.

"Men are needed. People have to stick together," Mr. Summiel said. "It's a matter of oneness."

"It doesn't matter your ethnicity. It doesn't matter your color. It doesn't matter your religious beliefs. It doesn't matter your gender beliefs," he said. "Oneness is what will get us through. The Trenton Branch of the NAACP stands with Foundation Academies."