The Gray Classic was founded in 2009 by Herb and Felicia Gray of Charlotte, NC. The Gray Classic is not your typical golf tournament. It is the city’s premier golf and networking weekend that focuses on the empowerment of the community which includes great golf, great food, and great fellowship. According to Mr. Gray “this tournament is made up of business, civic, and political leaders right here in the community”. It is a weekend-long experience that allows funds to be raised for local charitable organizations and to offer our sponsors a chance to support those local charities but also gain great exposure for their businesses.

In 2010, the Gray Classic expanded to include a Business Roundtable and a Women's Empowerment Brunch. Steven Myers (President) and Brian Willis of the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte, Inc. were added to the roster as Co-chairs of The Gray Classic. Since then the group has been able to raise over $30,000 each year to benefit the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte’s Movement of Youth (MOY) mentoring and education program.

The Gray Classic’s mission is to help provide an avenue for young students to achieve a higher education, engage young students with mentor programs and to provide networking opportunities for our youth.
  • •Approximately 1,000 participants throughout the weekend ages 24-60
  • •Over 200 golfers ages 24-50+
  • •Ethnicity
  •    • 88% African-American
  •    •12% Other
  • •Gender
  •    • 65% Male
  •    • 35% Female
  • •Over 125 women attend the Women's Empowerment Brunch
  • •Over $30,000 raised for the 100 Black Men's Movement of Youth
  • •Notable business, civic, and political leaders participate each year:
    • Sonja Gantt (WCNC), Congressman Mel Watt, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe, Bob Morgan (Chamber of Commerce), Dr. Ronald Carter (President JCSU), Tony Perez (Bank of America), Bob Marshall (Wells Fargo), Harvey Gantt (Former Charlotte Mayor), Patrick Cannon (Mayor Pro Tem), Harry Jones (Mecklenburg County Manager), Mecklenburg County Commissioner Harold Cogdell (Chairman), David Howard (At Large City Council Member), Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr (President Livingstone College), Mayor Anthony Foxx, Al Dotson (National President of 100 Black Men), Eric Watson (Food Lion), Bob Morgan (Charlotte Chamber of Commerce), Jerome Russell (HJ Russell Construction), Kevin Henry (Snyder's-Lance), and the Gray Classic Honorable Guest North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton
    ß
The 100 Black Men movement, which began in 1963, established the national organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. in 1986. The 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte was founded in 1991 and has since been awarded “Chapter of the Year” several times. The group is comprised of African-American men whose goal is to improve the quality of life in the African-American community through their collective resources, abilities and experiences.

The proceeds from The Gray Classic weekend have benefited the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte's Movement of Youth (MOY) mentoring and education program.

The MOY mentoring and education program maintains about 50 mentees annually from 6th to 12th grades. This program has helped students to develop high self-esteem and an appreciation for education.

The mentees are encouraged to stay in school with the aim of graduating from high school and getting a post-secondary education. Saturday Academies (twice monthly group mentoring sessions) are held at the 100 Black Men's partner school and are conducted by volunteers who are also members of the organization. Tutorial sessions in finance as well as Black History, one-on-one mentoring, the 3.0 Club, the mentor-mentee basketball game/food drive, and scholarship aid are all elements of the Saturday Academies.
100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte Chapter Facts:
  • • Awarded "Chapter of the Year" in 1997, 1998 and 1999 by 100 Black Men of America

MOY Mentoring and Education Program Facts:
  • • Mentored over 300 students since 1991
  • • Structured one-on-one and group mentoring for students with risk Factors
  • • Saturday Academies include workshops in citizenship, leadership development, life skills, study skills, financial education, cultural enrichment and community activities
  • • Movement of Youth Parents Association (MOPYPA) meets once a month for workshops and activities to support the MOY program
  • • New candidates for the Movement of Youth are referred by request of family members
  • • Program Capacity is 50 boys in 6th to 12th grades
Each year several events are held throughout the city of Charlotte, NC during The Gray Classic weekend. The weekend is celebrated with a total of 6 events including a Business Roundtable, Welcome Reception, Women's Empowerment Brunch, Golf Tournament, and Farewell Brunch. These events are an opportunity for everyone to get involved, even those that do not play the game of golf, network with other locals and take the time out to give back to the community. Our goal with each of these events is to raise funds for the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte while also highlighting the impact their program have on our youth. We encourage you to attend. We promise that there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Thursday, July 18, 2013
  • • Business Roundtable
    • Wells Fargo
    • 4PM-7pm
    •  
Friday, July 19, 2013
  • • Gray Classic Welcome Reception
    • Delta's Restaurant
    • 6PM-9PM
    •  
Saturday, July 20, 2013
  • • Golf Tournament
    • The Golf Club at Ballantyne
    • 7:30AM & 2PM Tee Times
    •  
  • • Women’s Empowerment Brunch
    • The Ballantyne Hotel
    • 11AM-1:30PM
    •  
  • • Gray Classic After Party
    • Vapiano 
    • 10PM-2AM
    •  

Sunday, July 23, 2013
  • • Gray Classic Farewell Brunch
    • Upstream Restaurant
    • 10:30AM-2:30PM
Click here to register for the 2013 Gray Classic

 
Click here to become a 2013 Gray Classic Sponsor
 

Check out The Gray Classic Newsletter
Spring 2013

Please enter your information below to contact us. Thanks!

Name is required.

Email is required.Invalid format.

A comment is required.



Herb Gray - Co-chair
herbgray@bellsouth.net
704-560-4332

Steven Myers - Co-chair
info@sbmyers.com
704-887-5277


Join us on Facebook and Twitter!