Dozens of organizations such as CARES mentoring program, Baltimore Rising, 100 Black Men of Maryland and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also set up booths at the convention center, with representatives accepting volunteers.
"We took from the Philadelphia movement and hope to build from that," said Thomas Allan Phillip III, a member of the assembly's executive committee. "We want to take it to another level, with fathers taking responsibility for their sons and daughters."
Alvin Gillard, director of Baltimore Community Relations Commission, said the program was also designed to help those looking to turn their life around.
Sylvester Bush, 44, of Baltimore said he heard about the forum and was motivated to come to try to find work.
Bush said he has been in and out of the jail system for years for selling drugs.
"I wish I could change things in my life, but I can't, and it's done now," Bush said. "But I know not to make those mistakes again. I'd love to help the kids because of what I've been through."
Mark Hall Jr. of Owings Mills attended the forum at the urging of his father. Hall, 27, who owns a computer repair business, said he expects to have an avenue to share entrepreneurial advice to students.
"Programs like this, it's a good starting point," Hall said. "We can begin to show people it's a different way."
Toward the end of the program, attendees were asked to read aloud a pledge asking them to establish and restore positive relationships.
John Holmes, 40, said he is confident this one will yield results.
"I have a concern for upward mobility of black men," Holmes said. "But God has ordered this time that black men will rise up and take their place in society."
brent.jones@baltsun.com
