100 Black Men Group Salutes Griffith Joyner

The 100 Black Men of Orange County, the local chapter of an international organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for blacks and other minorities, saluted the late Florence Griffith Joyner at its fourth annual Black & White Ball on Monday.

Before 600 people at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, the organization paid tribute to the Olympic gold medalist, who died in her sleep Sept. 21 at her Mission Viejo home.

“Her determination, her pursuit of excellence sets a welcome standard for the young people to follow,” said David Fields, president of the 100 Black Men of Orange County. “She set high goals for herself and proceeded to achieve them. That tells students they can accomplish anything if they put their heart in it.”

Awards also were given to others for their outstanding contributions to the community, including Donald McKayle, a choreographer and professor of arts and entertainment at UC Irvine; sports agent Leigh Steinberg of Newport Beach; Webster Guillory, the first African American tax assessor in Orange County; Kathryn McCullough, a member of the Lake Forest City Council; and Earl Woods, father of golfer Tiger Woods.

“They are all people of noteworthy accomplishment who have had positive impact in and about Orange County and beyond,” Fields said.

The international group includes more than 10,000 volunteers in 88 chapters in 26 states, as well as overseas chapters in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. The Orange County chapter, founded in 1993, has about 45 members. Their goal: to serve local youth in education, mentoring and economic development.

The $100-a-person black-tie gala was expected to net $50,000 for Passport to the Future, a program that helps high school students achieve their life goals. In cooperation with local school districts, the program supports minority students in areas of self-awareness, cultural history, relationships, skill development, leadership and social responsibility.

Young men who successfully complete the four-year program are given $1,000 scholarships for college or vocational training.

Others who were given awards: Craig Jackson, CEO and chairman of Sanders Engineering Inc., a construction company; Johnny Williams, an educator; the Rev. John Nix-McReynolds, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana; John Bryant, chairman and founder of Operation HOPE Inc., a nonprofit investment banking organization; and Debbie Allen, producer of the movie “Amistad.”