The LSU Collegiate 100 is a service and mentor-based student organization that supports the efforts of its sponsor chapter, the 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge.
The 100 Black Men organization helps prepare the next generation of Black male leaders.
However, the LSU Collegiate 100 is made up of both male and female students.
Pre-med biology junior Kylen Chretien is the president of the LSU Collegiate 100. He said his organization’s four core initiatives mirror those of the 100 Black Men: mentoring, health and wellness, education and economic empowerment.
Chretien said that LSU’s chapter helps the 100 Black Men organization with its flagship program, Project Excel. This program focuses on mentoring Black male students from ages 8 to 18 in the Baton Rouge community.
Chretien said they meet for Project Excel twice a month. Through this program, the LSU Collegiate 100 works with 100 Black Men to help local youth develop leadership skills, civic responsibility and tools for academic success.
LSU’s Black Student Union named the Collegiate 100 the “most impactful Black student organization” at LSU this year.
Collegiate 100 member and art and design senior Darnesha Binn said she thinks mentoring young students in the community is what makes the organization so impactful. While Collegiate 100 members make a difference in the lives of the youth they mentor, the youth also impact the members.
“We get to learn from them and see the perspectives of the generation coming after us,” Binn said. “We have to make sure we are showing up consistently and being the kind of role models they will be proud to follow.”
Furthermore, the 100 Black Men of America named LSU’s chapter the Collegiate 100 Chapter of the Year at the 39th Annual 100 Black Men of America Conference on June 5.
This title is a major accomplishment for the LSU Collegiate 100, considering the organization is less than three years old, Solé Jackson, Collegiate 100 secretary and pre-med biological sciences junior, explained.
She said LSU chartered its Collegiate 100 chapter on Feb. 7, 2023.
“We have already reached incredible heights,” Jackson said. “Being named Chapter of the Year for 2024-2025 is a true testament to our growth, dedication and leadership.”
In addition to Project Excel, the Collegiate 100 does community service and also hosts educational events for its members and other students throughout the year.
For example, Jackson said she participated in a spelling bee and a finance education night that focused on teaching students how to budget, save and invest.
Jackson added that she and the Collegiate 100’s head chair created the Bayou Bounce line dancing event. The second annual Bayou Bounce took place in September.
Chretien said that when it comes to accepting new members, students must have at least a 2.5 GPA to be eligible, and the organization is particularly concerned with students’ volunteer work and community involvement.
Chretien, Binn and Jackson all emphasized the family aspect of the LSU Collegiate 100 and how its members support one another.
“My favorite part of LSU’s Collegiate 100 chapter is the way that we are always there for each other, and it feels like a family,” Binn said. “I love seeing how each of the members have evolved into better leaders from the beginning of joining until now.”
