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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



Larry Murray
BMP First Vice President
Levi Steele
BMP Second Vice President
Work History:
Charlotte Mecklenburg School System35 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
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
Work History: Retired Charlotte Firefighter, 37 years of service
Education: Second Ward HS, Harding HS
Personal Interests: Sports


James Brailey
BMP Secretary
Donald R. Cureton. Sr.
BMP Treasurer
Work History: Director of Purchasing, CPM - 35 years - retired
Education: South Mecklenburg HS Winston-Salem State University Virginia Tech
Personal Interests: Golfing
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

Trent Neal
BMP Trustee & Chaplin
Work History: BASF Chemical Plant (Retired)
Education:
Personal Interests: Firm believer in Jesus Christ Our Savior. "I walk by faith not by sight".


Elmore Hannah
Work History: Charlotte Fire Dept. - 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: Federal Reserve Bank, Retired
Education: Harding HS
Personal Interests: Football


Johnny Ingram
Work History: Teacher, Piedmont Middle School, 1976-2008
Education: BS, Health & Physical Education Winston-Salem State University
Personal Interests: Coaching, athletics

Work History: Account/Insurance Broker
Education: BA Accounting, Belmont Abby College
Personal Interests:

Kenny Washington
Work History: Underwriter State Farm
Education: BA Macalester College
Personal Interests: Caring and Sharing
Work History:
Education: Second Ward High School West Charlotte High School
Personal Interests:


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Jerry Grier
BMP Chaplin
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

Keith Ham
Work History: Owner, Ham's Custom Masonry, Retired
Education: Central Piedmont Community College
Personal Interests: Visual Arts

Robert Weeks Sr.
Work History: U.S. Army (Retired)
Middle School Teacher (Retired)
Director, Mecklenburg County Veterans Services (Retired)
Education: Olympic HSBS 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

B. Bernard Ross
BMP Photographer
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
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 Four 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, Firm believer in Jesus Christ


Theodore Pearson
Dr. Charles Love
Work History:
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Education:
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Personal Interests:
Work History:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools - 25 years: Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction-1 year: Director of Student Information Management (SIMS)
- Johnson C. Smith University-2 years: Chair, Department of Education
- Grambling State University-3 years: Director of Teacher Education
- Albany State University-3 years: Chair, Department of Middle Level Education
- Georgia College & State University-3 years: Chair, Department of Elementary and Middle Level Education
- University of South Carolina Upstate-16 years: Dean, College of Education, Health and Human Performance
Education:
- Bachelors of Science (B.S): Winston-Salem State University
- Masters of Education (M. Ed.) University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) Appalachian State University
- Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Personal Interests:
- Spectator Sports Enthusiast: Football, Basketball, Track, Golf, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball
- Social justice
- Church and ministry participation
- Reading

Dr. John McCoy
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"

Frazier Lowery
Work History:
- Retired - Advanced Computer Analyst at NC Department of Health and Human Services
- Contract Programmer Developer/Analyst Wells Fargo
- Contract Programmer/Analyst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Senior Business System Analyst Royal & Sun Alliance
Education:
- Ashbrook High School Gastonia, NC
- Winston Salem State University BA Bus. Adm.
- CPCC - Business Computer Programming
Personal Interests:
Sports, Traveling, Family and Faith

DeWitt Mobley

Marian Belton
Work History:
- City of Winston-Salem, Operations Supervisor Sanitation Division 36 years.
Education:
- Garinger High School
- Winston-Salem State University
- Appalachian State University
Personal Interests:
Basketball, Tennis, Gardening & Reading
John Cunningham
BMP President
Howard Key Sr. (Pete)
BMP Trustee
Fred Stafford
Calvin Simmons
Charles Dewalt
Donald Helton
Deceased
Work History:
- US Army Veteran - Honorable Discharged
Education:
-BS Degree Winston Salem State University
Personal Interest:
Family, Faith, Sports, Reading
Work History:
- U.S. Navy Retired - 1999
- CMS K6 Teacher - 2005-2009
- Asheville Buncombe Community Christian
Ministry - Vet Case Worker - 2009-2013
Education:
- Second Ward High School - 1968, 1969
- West Charlotte High School - class of 1970
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,
Bachelor of General Studies - class of 1995
- Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Charlotte
NC, Masters of Theological Studies - class of 2009
- NCCU - attended 1970/71
Personal Interests:
Evangelism, Playing music (Bass Guitar), Playing Golf