About US
Black Men With a Purpose was officially established in 2014 by a group of individuals who attended one of the historically black high schools in Charlotte; Second Ward, West Charlotte, and York Road. They were inspired by a number of mentors at each of the High Schools who were instrumental in motivating students to attend colleges and universities. In an interest of carrying on the traditions of these mentors, BMP was organized. BMP received its articles of incorporation and tax exempt status on August 15, 2015.
Our Members
Work History:
Charlotte Mecklenburg School System
35 years employed (teacher/coach)
currently retired
Education:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
Undergraduate degree BS Winston Salem University
Graduate degree MA A&T Sate University
Personal Interests:
Gardening, Crafts, Motorcycling, coaching
and watching sports and traveling
John Cunningham
BMP President
Work History:
Retired Charlotte Firefighter, 37 years of service
Education:
Second Ward HS, Harding HS
Personal Interests:
Sports
Levi Steele
BMP Second Vice President
Donald R. Cureton, Sr.
BMP Treasurer
Work History:
- U.S. Army - 4 yrs
Retired Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Facilities Manager - 31 1/2 yrs
Education:
- Second Ward High School
- West Charlotte High School
- Independence High School
- BA Political Science/History, Winston-Salem State University
Personal Interests:
All Sports, Golf, WSSU Activities, Lawn Care
Robert Weeks Sr.
BMP Trustee
Work History:
U.S. Army (Retired)
Middle School Teacher (Retired)
Director, Mecklenburg County Veterans Services (Retired)
Education:
Olympic HS
BS Winston-Salem State University
Masters of Public Administration, University of Missouri, Kansas City
Personal Interests:
Caring for grandkids, serving on various university and community committees and non-profits
Work History:
-Duke Energy - 21 yrs
-Citywide Mortgage Residential Loan
Officer - 10yrs
Education:
-Graduate from Harding HIgh School
-2 years of Vocational College of HVAC
Personal Interests:
-Mt. Olive Presbyterian Elder,
-Vice President of Men's Organization
-Usher, Sunday School Teacher
-U.S. National Guard
-Personnel and Finance Specialist (SP5)
-Avid Golfer
Jerry Grier
Work History:
Account/Insurance Broker
Education:
BA Accounting, Belmont Abby College
Personal Interests:
Johnny Ingram
Work History:
Education:
Personal Interests:
Theodore Pearson
Work History:
BASF Chemical Plant (Retired)
Education:
Personal Interests:
Firm believer in Jesus Christ Our Savior.
"I walk by faith not by sight".
Trent Neal
Work History:
Sub District Director - USW
Education:
York Road HS
Second Ward HS
Olympic HS
South Mecklenburg HS
Winston-Salem State University
Personal Interests:
Basketball & Football
Larry Murray
BMP First Vice President
Work History:
Director of Purchasing, CPM - 35 years - retired
Education:
South Mecklenburg HS
Winston-Salem State University
Virginia Tech
Personal Interests:
Golfing
James Brailey
BMP Secretary
Dewitt Mobley
BMP Chaplain
Work History:
US Navy Retired
Veterans Counselor, Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABBCM) Asheville, NC
Certified Teacher, Mecklenburg County Schools and Victory Christian School
Education:
Masters of Theological Studies, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC
Personal Interests:
Musician and golfing
Work History:
Federal Reserve Bank, Retired
Education:
Harding HS
Personal Interests:
Football
Elmore Hannah
Work History:
Teacher, Piedmont Middle School, 1976-2008
Education:
BS, Health & Physical Education
Winston-Salem State University
Personal Interests:
Coaching, athletics
Fred Stafford
Work History:
Owner, Ham's Custom Masonry, Retired
Education:
Central Piedmont Community College
Personal Interests:
Visual Arts
Keith Ham
Work History:
Underwriter State Farm
Education:
BA Macalester College
Personal Interests:
Caring and Sharing
Calvin Simmons
Work History:
Education:
Second Ward High School
West Charlotte High School
Personal Interests:
Kenny Washington
Howard Key, Sr. (Pete)
Work History:
Charlotte Fire Department - 43.5 yrs
-Served in the capacity of Fire Captain - 14 yrs
-Served in the capacity of Battalion Chief - 6 yrs
-Served in the capacity of Dep Fire Chief - 15 yrs
-Served in the capacity of Fire Chief - 1 yr
-Current Employment Status - Retired Fire Chief
Education:
-Graduate of Charlotte Mecklenburg School
System
-Graduate of the University of NC
@ Charlotte, BS-Fire Engineering
-Graduate of the National Fire Academy
@ Emmitsburg, Md
-Graduate of the University of NC
@ Chapel Hill School of Government
-Graduate of the University of NC
@ Chapel Hill Public Executive and
Leadership Academy
Personal Interests:
Golf, Gardening, Reading, Spending
quality time with and enjoying my
family
Work History:
- Worked for First Union - 8 yrs
- Retired from Postal Service
Education:
-Graduated from WSSU in 1974 BA in Business Administration (Cum Laude)
Personal Interests:
Sports and Billards
Charles Dewalt
Work History:
-Present Pastor of the Nazareth Baptist Church Rock Hill, SC where he has served 22 years
-Served as Associate Pastor of the New St. John Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC-6 yrs
-Former Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, McConnells, SC
-Instructor for the Congress of Christian Education, for the State of SC
-Professor of Religion and Psychology at Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC
-Former Dean of the Sandy River Baptist Association (Upper Division) and the immediate pass Moderator.
-Former Region Five Vice President of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention SC.
Education:
-Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System
-Winston Salem State University
-J.W. Teamer School of Religion
-Metrolina Seminary Extension
-Shaw University School of Divinity
-Liberty University
-Jacksonville Theological Seminary
-Graduate of Institute of Biblical Studies,
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
(Summa cum Laude)
- Holds Bachelor of Theology Degree, Bachelor
Divinity Degree, Masters of Arts in
Religious Theology, and the Doctor of
Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Christian
Psychology.
Personal Interests:
Proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Inc.
He is proud of being a Child of the
Most Highest God.
Motto is "The Noblest Thing That a
Man Can Do is His Best"
Dr. John McCoy
Work History:
- Retired Steel Fabricator
Education:
-Graduated from Myers Park High School
Personal Interest:
Joshua Hendricks
Work History:
- US Army Veteran - Honorable Discharged
Education:
-BS Degree Winston Salem State University
Personal Interest:
Family, Faith, Sports, Reading
Donald Helton
Work History:
-PSA Airlines, Charlotte, NC
-Aircraft Materials Clerk, UTC Aerospace, Monroe, NC
-Asset Management, 24-7 Specialist
-U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran
Rank-Specialist
Bronze Star recipient
-Retired UTC Aerospace Systems
Education:
-J.B. Dudley High School
-C.P.C.C.
Personal Interest:
Basketball, Cycling, Bowling,
Photography, Connoisseur of traveling
B. Bernard Ross
BMP Photographer
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