Four to Be Honored at Gala by Black Group

The 100 Black Men of Orange County organization will honor Garden Grove Police Chief Stan Knee, businesswoman Yvette Welch, lawyer Milton Grimes and Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Byron Scott at its second annual holiday Black and White Ball on Monday.

Organization president Ron Coley said the gala at the Hyatt Regency Irvine will spotlight community leaders as well as organizations and businesses committed to Orange County’s minority population.

Knee is being recognized for his commitment to community policing and diversity, Coley said.

The 100 Black Men will honor Welch, of Cox Communications, and Grimes for their services to minorities and Scott for his work with minority children. It also will recognize educator Skip Bethel.

In addition, the organization will give plaudits to UC Irvine for its diversity efforts and to Merrill Lynch & Co. for its commitment to increase economic development in Orange County’s minority communities.

Funds raised during the event, which costs $75 per person, will benefit the organization’s youth program, Passport to the Future. The 100 Black Men are raising $100,000 to support the program.

Passport to the Future, now in its second year, was designed to help African American youths avoid such temptations as drugs. Through a three-stage process of personal growth and career exploration, 100 Black Men hopes to lead the youths to a productive life.

Thirty-seven young men from six high schools are involved in the program. They are selected as freshmen and encouraged to stay with the program through graduation, when they receive at least $1,000 toward future education or technical training.

The county chapter 100 Black Men was founded in 1993 with 28 members. Membership now totals about 45.