Coca-Cola Company’s Collegiate 100 Leadership and Advocacy Academy Gains Two LU Students

Amidst participating this semester in the 2^nd Collegiate 100 Leadership and Career Institute and working in the community, senior English major, Talia Irvin, and senior psychology major, Breanna Smith, were accepted to the Coca-Cola Company’s Collegiate 100 Leadership and Advocacy Academy.  

The Collegiate 100 chapter of Lamar University strives to inspire the next generation through mentoring, education, economic development and wellness. The chapter stems from its parent organization, the 100 Black men of America, Inc., which is recognized as the nation’s top African-American led mentoring organization. The chapter recently volunteered with the "Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Charity building and delivering beds for children without and was involved in the 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont Scholarship Banquet and Golf Tournament. 

Both students are looking forward to this academic endeavor. “I am beyond blessed to have been given the opportunity to elevate myself mentally and professionally. I am so grateful to have amazing organizations like the Collegiate 100 of Lamar University, 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont and 100 Black Men of America to support me,” says Smith. 

“I feel honored to be selected to participate in this Coca-Cola Academy and will be glad to represent my school and C100 in a positive manner,” said Irvin. “I can’t wait to come back and share what I’ve learned at the Academy.” 

The C100 of Lamar University was chosen to participate from the success of the project they presented and won 1^st place at the National 100 Black Men of America, Inc. conference from last year’s institute. The application included questions about their current majors, GPAs, membership and any leadership roles, active advocacy, and how participation in the Collegiate 100, Leadership Institute and Academy have positively impacted your progress toward success and how it will in their futures. 

Dr. Kathryn Washington, Assistant Professor of the Educational Leadership Department and Co-Advisor of the Collegiate 100, expresses her excitement for her students, “As their advisor, I am excited for them to have this opportunity to grow their leadership and gain insight into what that looks like close and personal in corporate America. This will be an experience of a lifetime and I love growing the next generation of leaders.” 

The pair will travel to Atlanta, Georgia for an expenses-paid visit to the Coca-Cola Leadership and Advocacy experience to be held on May 18-20, 2023, followed by the 100 Black Men Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada to be held June 14-18, 2023 while representing Lamar University.