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HAMPTON — Seniors Dimarcus Gantt and Ethan Ward are used to hearing cheers and applause when they compete in their respective sports. Gantt played football for Tabb High, while Ward played basketball for Landstown.
But on Saturday, both received a standing ovation for their academic achievements as part of the 25th Annual Scholars Breakfast at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. The event is presented by the 200+ Men Foundation.
The event began from a concern that there are negative portrayals of young Black men, instead of focusing on their achievements — outside of athletics.
In all, nearly 1,000 young Black males from public and private schools in Hampton Roads were honored for graduating with a 3.0 or better grade-point average.
“It’s special because we’re able to put the spotlight on young African American males with something positive,” said James A. Gray Jr., president and CEO of the The 200+Men Inc. “You turn on the news every night at 6 o’clock and you see (young Black men), and they’re talking about shootings and violence. But we got a lot of kids that are doing good work that are not a part of that mess. And so, we wanted to bring attention to the community that we’ve got young African American males who are doing good in school, that are supported by their family and community, and we’re coming here to celebrate this.”
Gantt and Ward both realized the significance of the day.
“The stereotype of young Black males is all about athletics, but this (event) shows that you can be an athlete and be a scholar at the same time,” said Gantt, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound running back and linebacker. “This was very rewarding. I’ve been in this program for a little while, and I know for myself, I’m proud of myself and I know my family is proud of me. It feels good to see what I’ve accomplished and that all of my hard work has paid off.”
Gantt, who received several scholarships that morning, will attend Old Dominion and major in accounting, but will not play football.
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Ward, a 6-7 forward, will play basketball for defending NCAA Division III national champion Christopher Newport. Ward was first-team All-Tidewater, first-team all-state, first-team All-Beach District and the Class 6 Region A Player of the Year. He averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Eagles.
As impressive as his accolades and stats are, he’s more proud of his academic achievements.
“This is equally as important to me, especially because I always hold academics and athletics to the same standard,” he said. “This makes me feel proud, honestly. To see so many men of color, it means a lot, especially that they’re shining light on us.”
The guest speaker for the breakfast was Clayton P. Turner, the director of NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton. He encouraged students to find their passion and make something of themselves.
The packed room was filled with educators, superintendents, administrators and dignitaries, including U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott and State Senator Aaron Rouse, a former NFL player who starred for First Colonial High and Virginia Tech. Several colleges also were represented, including Hampton University president Darrell K. Williams, who presented scholarships to students.
Ward took notice.
“It meant a lot because they were acknowledging hard-working individuals, especially the scholars and their achievements,” he said. “And they also showed us the pathway to where we can go in the future.”
Many of the young men were valedictorians, salutatorians and scholar-athletes from their schools. They are our future doctors, lawyers, educators, politicians, engineers, inventors and community leaders.
And for some of these young men, they will be the first in their families to attend college.
This is why this day was special to me. I was the first male in my family to graduate from college. My mother was the first person to graduate from college, and was the only one to receive a doctorate degree.
Since 1998, the 200+ Scholars Breakfast has honored more than 8,500 Black males graduating from public and private high schools in Hampton Roads. In all, they have earned more than $13 million in scholarships.
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One of the best parts of the morning was when the young men walked into the packed Convention Center. They were met with cheers and applause that you’d normally hear at a sporting event. And when their names were read, you could hear family members yelling and encouraging their sons, grandsons or nephews.
I wasn’t the only one caught up in the excitement.
“It’s emotional for me every time,” Gray said about the procession. “My son was one of these young men 10 years ago, but when I see them come in and I see this ballroom filled up, it’s an emotional moment for me because it just tells me that we’re doing the right thing.”
Gray has been involved in the event for 17 years and has been president for 13. He added that the staff that pulls off this event each year are volunteers.
“They think this is important,” he said. “We’re doing it for the good of the community and the young men.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.