Students at Bruce Elementary are spending the month of March learning more about their futures thanks to the school’s “Marching Towards Your Future” initiative and the continued support of the 100 Black Men of Middle Georgia.

On Monday, March 2, members of the organization helped kick off the week by participating in a “walking school bus,” joining students as they walked to school together. The effort encouraged healthy habits, built connections with students, and started the school day with a sense of community and support.

Later in the week, members returned to campus to focus on preparing students for their financial futures. On Wednesday, they hosted a Financial Literacy class for fourth and fifth grade students, teaching them foundational skills such as how to budget, save money, and understand the basics of investing.

The lessons were designed to introduce students to financial responsibility early and help them understand how money can be used wisely to create opportunities later in life.

“At the 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia, we believe that when you invest in a child’s mind, you change the trajectory of their future,” said Dr. Keith Moffett, Vice President of Programs and Operations and Chair of the Education Committee for the organization. “Through the ‘Marching Towards Your Future’ initiative at Bruce Elementary, we are proud to equip students not only with knowledge, but with essential financial literacy skills such as budgeting, saving, and investing. By introducing these concepts early, we help students build confidence, make wise financial decisions, and understand the true power of money and opportunity.”

The 100 Black Men of Middle Georgia has an ongoing partnership with Bruce Elementary, working with students throughout the year to provide mentorship, life skills, and educational opportunities designed to help them succeed both inside and outside the classroom. The organization is also a Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) partner and grant recipient, helping implement programs that support youth development, mentorship, and education as part of the community-wide effort to reduce violence and create more opportunities for young people in Macon-Bibb County.

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.