Men of Success, Beaufort County Community College’s minority male mentoring group, will host a Black History Month Black Tie Gala on Feb. 23. The evening will feature dinner, music, speakers and presentations on the BCCC campus.

Dr. John “JJ” Evans, associate director of student life for the North Carolina Community College System, will speak about the keys to success. The gala will raise funds for Men of Success and provide scholarships for minority males at BCCC.

BCCC Men of Success is led by Bishop James McIntyre, who serves as the program advisor and, also, pastor for Cornerstone Family Worship Center COG. The MOS success coaches are current and/or former students, such as Maurice Griffin and Jeffrey Egerton.

“We focus on the five keys to success: positive relationships, economic opportunity, social interaction, academic achievement and positive choices,” Griffin said. “When students come to see us, we focus on building a relationship with them.”

Men of Success has open hours in Room 111 on the BCCC campus Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. This year, the group has opened its doors to all students, but it is keeping its focus on minority males. They offer coffee and snacks while students study.

“Getting students to stay on campus can be difficult at a community college,” Griffin said. “We’re trying to give them one more reason to stay and be constructive.”

The group starts with students at a young age by providing mentoring at P.S. Jones Middle School, conducting talks on making positive choices. They hope to follow them through their education at Washington High School and guide them to BCCC.

Tickets will not be sold at the door. They are $20 per person or $35 per couple, and will be on sale through Feb. 20. They can be purchased on campus from any of the Men of Success coaches or from Theresa Edwards and Kim Jackson in Building 9.

For more information, call 252-623-8326 or 252-946-6109 or email griffwood42@gmail.com or pastorctw@gmail.com.