ATLANTA — December 23, 2025. 100 Black Men of America, Inc., the nation’s preeminent African American mentoring and leadership development organization, today announced its partnership with Operation HOPE’s newly launched HOPE AI initiative, a national strategy designed to transform financial literacy and expand equitable access to artificial intelligence education and tools.
As a founding partner in this unprecedented collaboration, The 100 will help drive community-based engagement, outreach, and education that empowers youth, families, and adults with the knowledge and digital readiness required to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy. The partnership directly supports the organization’s Economic Empowerment program pillar, which equips individuals from underserved and at-risk communities with the skills, tools, and resources needed to build financial stability and long-term economic mobility. It also connects with the work and strategy of the 100 Black Men of America’s Technology Committee.
“The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence represents both extraordinary opportunity and significant risk for our communities. For over 40 years, The 100 has worked to close opportunity gaps through leadership in mentoring, health and wellness, education, and economic empowerment. Partnering with Operation HOPE to launch HOPE AI strengthens our commitment to ensuring that Black youth and families are not merely included in the future economy — but fully prepared to lead within it.”
— Milton H. Jones, Jr., Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
Launched by Operation HOPE and Chairman, Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant, the HOPE AI initiative brings together several of the nation’s most influential nonprofit organizations to build a national blueprint that expands financial literacy, digital competency, and responsible AI readiness.
“This partnership with 100 Black Men of America represents the best of what is possible when mission-driven organizations come together to create lasting change. The 100 has a decades-long legacy of uplifting communities and cultivating leaders. Their engagement in the HOPE AI initiative ensures that millions more Americans — especially those historically left behind — gain access to the knowledge, technology, and economic opportunity they deserve.”
— John Hope Bryant, Chairman, Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE
Through this partnership, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. will collaborate with Operation HOPE to implement educational content, experiential learning opportunities, and community outreach programs that help individuals:
- Understand the role of AI in the modern financial landscape
- Strengthen digital and economic decision-making skills
- Build pathways to entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and wealth creation
This joint initiative is expected to mobilize mentors, educators, and volunteers across 100 Black Men of America, Inc.’s national network of chapters, amplifying impact at the local and national levels.
About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved — disrupting poverty for millions of low- and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities. For more information: OperationHOPE.org.
About 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
100 Black Men was founded as an organization in New York City in 1963. The national organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. began with nine chapters in 1986 as a national alliance of leading African American men of business, public affairs, and government with a mission to improve the quality of life for African Americans, particularly African American youth. These visionaries included businessmen and industry leaders such as David Dinkins, Robert Mangum, Dr. William Hayling, Nathaniel Goldston III, Livingston Wingate, Andrew Hatcher, and Jackie Robinson. Since inception, the vision has grown to over 10,000 members impacting over 125,000 underserved, underrepresented minority youth annually. Visit 100blackmen.org for more information.
Originally published by 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Read the original press release on 100blackmen.org →
