On Thursday, November 20, the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department – including Chief Shane Edwards, Deputy Chief Michael Williamson, Deputy Chief Ron Smith, and several firefighters – and community members had lunch with about 50 3rd-5th grade Reading Achievers at Bruce Elementary.
But this was more than just a gathering to share a meal…the Fire Department was working with The 100 Black Men of Middle Georgia to provide a different type of education for the students. They were helping them with the life and soft skills that are better learned through experiences and modeling.
Before and during lunch, students were taught table etiquette, how to network properly, the importance of a strong introduction, how to make small talk appropriately and politely, and more. All while enjoying a catered lunch from Dab’s Café and talking with the Fire Department and community members.
“We’re working with the kids in the skills they’ll need later in life,” says 100 Black Men President Garrett Williams.
The luncheon was part of The 100 Black Men of Middle Georgia’s ongoing adoption of Bruce Elementary to help provide students life skills, additional educational support, and outside opportunities. They have taken students to New Orleans, chaperoned them to different sites and events around Middle Georgia, provided literacy incentives, offered student financial literacy classes, and support the Cub Scout Pack based at the school.
“We’ve really become entwined in the DNA of this school,” adds Williams. “We work from a mentality of what you’ll see is what you’ll be, so we are trying to have a constant presence here.”
The 100 Black Men of Middle Georgia received funding from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia through the Macon Violence Prevention program to implement these programs and provide more opportunities for students.
About the Macon Violence Prevention Program
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations, and departments.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.
Since its inception, more than $2.5 million has been granted to local nonprofit and community organizations. From 2022 to 2024, the Macon-Bibb homicide rate dropped by 45%, and the youth homicide rate fell by 87% between 2022 and 2024.