Concerned Black Men marks 50 years with Washington gala and awards dinner

The National Organization of Concerned Black Men will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sept. 17 at the Marriott Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., honoring leaders in civil rights, public service, journalism and mentoring. The gala highlights the group’s legacy of supporting Black men and youth through mentorship, education and leadership development.

Why it matters: - Concerned Black Men is using its 50th anniversary to spotlight five decades of mentorship, civic leadership and youth support. - The celebration underscores the group’s focus on helping Black men and young people reach their full potential through responsible adult guidance, education and role modeling. - The event also serves as a handoff moment, with organizers framing the milestone as the start of the organization’s next 50 years.

What happened: - The National Organization of Concerned Black Men, Inc. will hold its 50th Anniversary Celebration & Awards Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. - The event will take place at the Marriott Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. - Reception begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7:30 p.m. - The celebration theme is “Built to Last: Celebrating 50 Years of Mentorship, Leadership & Legacy.” - The gala will bring together national and community leaders, civil rights advocates, educators, mentors, students, supporters and friends. - The Morgan State University Choir, directed by Dr. Eric Conway, will perform at the gala.

The details: - CBM was founded in 1975 by five Philadelphia police officers responding to mothers’ concerns about children being lost to gang violence. - The organization grew from that community response into a national network focused on mentorship, education, leadership development, civic engagement and positive role models. - The event will honor a distinguished class of 2026 honorees across lifetime achievement, chairman’s award, president’s award and founder’s award categories. - Lifetime Achievement Award honorees include Norman Hill, president emeritus of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and labor activist Velma Murphy Hill. - Chairman’s Award honorees include Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson. - President’s Award honorees include Tara Setmayer, Tanya Clay House and Jesse Jackson Jr. - Founder’s Award honorees include CNN anchor Victor Blackwell, Frank Crump, Jermaine Myrie and Trent Shelton. - Frank Crump is CEO of UPI Loan Fund and United Progress International Education, and UPI Loan Fund is a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution. - More information is available in the organization’s announcement.

Between the lines: - CBM is linking its anniversary to a broader message about the role of stable, committed adults in shaping young people’s lives. - The honorees reflect a wide mix of public service, advocacy, media and community leadership, which signals CBM’s intent to frame mentorship as both civic and cultural work. - The celebration also functions as a public recognition of leadership rooted in Black communities and aligned with social change.

What's next: - CBM will use the anniversary gala to recognize supporters and introduce a new generation to its mission. - The organization is positioning the 50th anniversary as a foundation for continued mentoring, leadership development and service across its chapters. - Additional visibility around the event is likely to center on the honorees, the gala program and CBM’s national mission.

The bottom line: - CBM is marking 50 years by celebrating its past and making a case for why mentorship and civic leadership still matter now.