Mission Statement:  To provide proactive positive alternatives to youth and adult males through music, faith, community service, positive role modeling and mentoring.  

100 Men in Black is an all male chorus. This group was formed under the direction of Marlon E. West in Durham, N.C. 100 Men in Black is an independent, “community-based” male chorus with open membership to all within the Triangle community and surrounding areas. The group is composed of males, representative of all age groups, ethnicities and walks of life who love to sing and share the “good news of the gospel” through music.

From its inception in 2003, this group established the following goals:

• to develop their vocal abilities to minister the gospel in song
• to serve as role models/mentors to young males
• to provide “at-risk” youth an alternative to gang violence and drugs
• to provide community outreach to those who are imprisoned and homeless
• to support or to give to a charitable cause each year
• to provide Christian fellowship and camaraderie for men 
• to host an annual concert for the community
• to foster cultural exchange and understanding 

Our style of music is very diverse. We sing traditional gospel, quartet, spirituals, contemporary gospel, anthems, choral, patriotic and a capella music. During each annual concert, we have invited guest artists to share in our ministry. To date, we have enjoyed guest appearances by Luther Barnes, Bryan Wilson (former member of Mississippi Mass Children’s Choir), Fred Jones Mime Ministry, Comedians Rodney Johnson and Marcus D. Wiley, Zeb Harrison and the New Life Praise Band, Micah Stampley, and William McDowell.

Charities Supported and Community Service

We purpose to distinguish ourselves in various ways. Each year, we select a charitable cause to support. We have made donations to Durham Urban Ministries Community Soup Kitchen and the Labour of Love Ministry.  Additionally, we have awarded several $500 and $1000 scholarships to young men enrolling in college. Throughout the year we serve in the following ways: minister in song at various retirement and nursing homes; serve at the homeless shelters; volunteer with an area school(s) to serve as mentors and provide homework assistance to students, and we have formed an ongoing relationship with the C.A. Dillon Boy’s Prison in Butner, NC.   

Awards/Highlights

• December 2007 – awarded the Thomas A. Dorsey “choir of the year” award by the Raleigh-Triangle Chapter of the Thomas Dorsey Convention of Choruses
• December 2010 – featured as the guest choir for the Hillside High School production of the Black Nativity (play written by Langston Hughes)
• February 2010 – Began mentoring program with the Durham Nativity School
• June 2011 – sang the National Anthem at the Durham Bulls Game
• June 2011 – performed for Juneteenth Celebration (City of Durham) 
• 2010/2011- appeared on the Sunday morning gospel production of “Spiritual Awakening” hosted by Rev. Terence Jenkins
• October 2011 – traveled to Durham, England for an 8-day tour endorsed by Sister-Cities of Durham, NC and Durham, England
• November 2011 – recipient of the Shirley Caesar Music Outreach Lamplighters Award presented at the Progress Energy Center Performing Arts auditorium in Raleigh, NC
• January 2010-12/2014 – MLK performance at Duke Chapel 
• September 2012 – Verizon How Sweet the Sound Regional Competition (Washington, DC)
• October 2012 – performed annual concert at the Carolina Theatre of Durham (sold out concert) 
• January 2013 – MLK Concert at Yale University
• September 2013 – performed concert at A&T State University Concert (lyceum series) 
• February 2013/2014 – performed National Anthem at the Charlotte Bobcats game
• October 2013 – Recorded CD single, “Don’t Let Me Go” written by national gospel recording artist Luther Barnes
• Christmas 2014 – collaborated with CA Dillon Director and Chaplain to prepare 17 youth inmates for a Christmas concert -attended by staff, prison officials, community volunteers and parents of the inmates
• January 2015 – collaborated and performed with the Durham Symphony for MLK Day Concert at Duke University
• April 2015 – Recipients of the Patrick D Kenan Duke World Voice Day Award for Vocal Outreach
• March 2017 – Ebonettes Service Club Award
• June 2018 – traveled to Montreal, Quebec City and Ottowa, Canada for a 6-day tour.  Performed in the Notre Dame Basilica and and sang the U.S. and Canadian National anthems for a baseball game in Ottowa. 
• June 2019 – National Council of Negro Women – Durham section 
• August 2019 – performed and served meal at Durham Urban Ministries
• October 2019 – annual concert (reunion and scholarship awards) at the Carolina Theatre of Durham featuring recording artist Kelontae Gavin