About 35 black men gathered without fanfare at a suburban restaurant a couple of Saturdays ago for a meet and greet. There was no game on a big screen TV, no program, no speech, no cash mob.
The only agenda was fellowship and camaraderie.
It was awesome.
The men varied in age, size, shape, and occupation. Among them were executives and entrepreneurs. Dreamers and doers. They came from the worlds of finance, IT, law, sales, nonprofits, small business, politics, the clergy, and community activism.
Background: Mayfield Village councilman George Williams greets an old friend; foreground, Rev. Roland Muhammad promotes an upcoming community program.
The gathering was the idea of Dwayne Cheeks, founder of Quad C Enterprises, which is best known for its promotion of jazz events and other community in-gatherings. Cheeks told the Real Deal Press that he simply wanted a natural celebration of brotherhood.
“Social events are often nothing more than business opportunities waiting to happen. I thought it would be a good idea to have an event at a black-owned establishment, with a harmonious atmosphere.”
The modest goal seemed to have met with spectacular success. The meet-and-greet was held at Frederick’s, a casual eatery on Emery Road in Warrensville Heights. Cheeks began sharing his idea with a few friends back in January. Once the details of detail, time, and location were fixed, he invited them to share word however they might.
Dwayne Cheeks with R. J. Watford
The informal nature of the endeavor proved to be fertile soil for a host of serendipitous exchanges. Greg Roberts Jr. and Amir Saleem each sponsor community programs for young men. They were introduced to one another and began to compare notes on their endeavors. David, 63, who wants to open a group home for adults, got connected to Danny, whose wife has operated several such ventures.
Aaron Beidleman with Devin Gates and Brandon White
Aaron Beidleman arrived at the event expecting only a small gathering. His mentor, twenty years his senior, had suggested he attend. Aaron was surprised that the first person he saw upon arrival was his cousin. He later met a fellow employee from Progressive Insurance.
Bryce Mathis, 50, was one of those specifically invited by Cheeks to spread word of the get-together. Bryce, who has a strong interest in public affairs, saw the afternoon as a time to talk with others about the importance of voting.
The event certainly met the expectations of Brandon White, who waxed enthusiastically about the gathering. "We don't know who's in our community unless we step out", he observed.
Danny Baldwin and Les Blakemore
Greg Roberts Jr. and Amir Saleem compared notes on their youth programs
Cheeks said there are no specific plans for a follow up event, and that he would be meeting with a small group for a debrief. Given the positive vibes created at the first outing, there seems little doubt there will be an encore.
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