BMF Elects New Officers

Last night's Black Men's Forum (BMF) board elections reaffirmed the group's mission to help black men form strong relationships through "chill nights and group discussions," wrote newly-elected president Peter-Charles N. Bright '01 in an e-mail message.

But the elections also revealed a desire by the BMF to look beyond Harvard's gates.

Bright's two major projects for the year center on welcoming the Class of 2004 and expanding the BMF's role in the outside community.

"Internally, we want to shore up our membership. Our first goal will be to make sure that the Class of '04 feels welcome and realizes that they are not alone," Bright wrote. "Once the new members have been welcomed, we would like to have some sort of event where we can all get to know each other better."

Bright also wants to become more involved with the greater Boston area, harnessing the BMF's resources to help the community.

"I have another big event in mind that will involve the members of BMF working with the members of the Franklin community and the Boston Housing Authority to help renovate Franklin Field in Dorchester," Bright wrote.

In addition to Bright's uncontested election as president, Jamie A. Williams '01 was elected vice-president and Kenneth N. Ebie '01 was elected secretary.

Other positions filled in the board include Justin H. Alexander '03 as treasurer, Harrel E. Conner '02 and Isaac J. Weiler '02 as co-brotherhood chairs, D.K. Osseo-Asare '01 as historian and Daryk A. Pengelly '03 as social chair.

While Bright emphasizes new members, Williams wrote in an e-mail message he "also want[s] the older members to stay active."

In his third year on the board, Williams wants to ensure internal support among the current and new members.

The new leadership also plans to continue the Celebration of Black Women, an annual weekend-long event.

But, most importantly, Bright wrote he wants the BMF to "play a positive and recurring role within the greater black community [and] above all...make a difference."