OAKLAND, CA—-– 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc.was honored Saturday evening as the nonprofit recipient of the 2026 David L. Cunningham Community Service Award at the California Association of Black Lawyers’ (CABL) 49th Annual Conference Installation and Awards Gala. Held at the Oakland Marriott City Center and themed “Reclaiming Our Shine,” the gala convened Black legal professionals, community leaders, celebrities, and supporters from across California to celebrate excellence in service and the law.
The David L. Cunningham Community Service Award recognizes commitment to community betterment reflecting the values of CABL’s mission. 100 Black Men of the Bay Area is the fifth nationally chartered chapter of 100 Black Men of America, selected in the nonprofit category for its decades of sustained impact across the Bay Area’s most underserved communities.
The award was accepted by Danny L. Williams, Chairman of the Board, who acknowledged outgoing California Association of Black Lawyers President Tamara Michael for her leadership of CABL and the significance of the recognition.
“It is crucial that we have Black lawyers representing our communities,” said Danny L. Williams, 100 Black Men of the Bay Area Board Chairman. “You speak to African American issues, you speak for the vulnerable, and you definitely speak for me. The Association recognizing our contributions only motivates us to work even harder.”
“We are on the front lines,” said CABL President Tamara Michael. Reflecting upon her conversations with some of CABL’s founders, she shared, “It was a moment of gratitude and acknowledgement that where we are now is exactly the same story. We still have to be in this fight. And what we learned this year is that our collective strength matters.”
The recognition comes on the heels of a milestone week for the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area. Just two days prior, on April 9th, the 100th day of theyear, Mayor Barbara Lee, Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, and the City of Oakland officially declared “100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day,” alongside Port of Oakland Commissioner Derrick Muhammad, honoring the chapter’s 36-yearlegacy of service.
Founded in 1988, 100 Black Men of the Bay Area has built one of the most comprehensive community impact portfolios of any chapter in its national network. In 2025 alone,the organization served more than 10,000 individuals through 16 programs and initiatives, supported nearly 500 mentees, delivered hundreds of therapy sessions, and awarded close to $125,000 in scholarships, bringing its total scholarship investment to morethan $2 million since inception.
The chapter’s work is anchored byFour Pillars:
- Health & Wellness
- Economic Empowerment
- Mentoring
- Education
100 Black Men of the Bay Area serves hundreds of youth annually across middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the region through structured, evidence-based mentoring. Education initiativesinclude scholarships, study halls, Saturday sessions, and the Knowledge, Math & Technology (KMT) initiative, which connects students to STEM pathways and industry professionals. Health and Wellness programming includes mental health services, community screenings,and the annual Tommie Smith Impact Track & Field Meet. Economic Empowerment efforts include financial literacy training, workforce development, and partnerships that have certified more than 100 participants in construction trades.
The chapter’s motto, “What They See Is What They’ll Be,” reflects the lead-by-example philosophy that has anchored their work for nearly four decades.
100 Black Men of the Bay Area extends congratulations to the student scholars who were recognized at the gala, and to all award recipients honored, withdeep gratitude to the California Association of Black Lawyers for this recognition and for its enduring commitment to community.
“An educated community is an empowered community, and that’s what we need.” – Tamara Michael, 2025-26 CABL President
