RICHMOND GLOBE
September 19 - 25, 2007

DELTA Project Honors
‘Men of Merit’ at Awards Ceremony

By Clifford L. Williams

The DELTA Project recently honored 22 dynamic men at the second annual Men of Merit ceremony in Richmond. The honorees were recognized as positive role models who are making a difference in their community by mentoring the next generation.

The DELTA(Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances) Project includes individuals, community leaders and county agencies working as a coordinated group to develop and implement activities designed to prevent domestic violence before it begins.

The Men of Merit awards honor outstanding men of character and compassion with a strong commitment to being a positive influence in the lives of boys and young men in Contra Costa County.

Deborah Levine, manager of the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative, explained, “[The Men of Merit Program] is a partnership of community members and agencies working to end violence to women and girls. By inviting men to take a stand against this type of violence, we’ve found that men basically have been waiting to ask to be involved to end violence in the community and [we] have had a wonderful response.”

Those recognized at this year’s events “have done amazingly courageous things to show boys in their lives and their families how to be a real man and show that a real man does not hurt or inflict violence on those around them, but are compassionate and kind and giving in their community,” said Levine.

One of the award recipients, Leonard McNeil, a San Pablo City Councilman, said of the program, “This is a testament to African American men and men in general who are doing things in the community to minimize violence. We also want to demonstrate to young people that we value them and love them and that we are willing to commit resources and programs to help them make the transition to adulthood and responsible citizenship.”

McNeil was nominated to receive a Men of Merit award because of his work with a mentoring program in Richmond he headed that had a violence prevention component.

Orlando Ramos, Richmond High School principal and keynote speaker at the event, also received a Men of Merit award. “One of the things we’ve been doing at Richmond High is to get role models together,” said Ramos. “Last year, we had 100 black men show up and agree to take on a mentee to offset what kids are hearing on TV and hearing in their music.”

In his keynote address, Ramos said, “We are capable and able of rising above our current situation. We should not let popular culture dictate what we are, who we are or who we should be. We need to go out and send a message that we are not those people who are portrayed on TV and that we can and will rise above all of that.”

Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, who attended the awards ceremony, noted that leading by example is a good way to influence learning in young people. “These men are showing that they are great role models for our young men and our boys coming up, to show they can lead good, healthy productive lives,” said McLaughlin. “It sets an example for peaceful resolution of conflicts, and to have a non-violent approach to the way solutions get driven.” [emphasis added]

The event was sponsored by STAND! Against Domestic Violence, Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, all organizations that are dealing with violence in Richmond.