Our History

A few members of the Zeta Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. realized the need to take action to improve the image of our young men. Toward the successful achievement of this goal, a pilot program would be initiated during the 1990-91 school year, to encourage the development of a good self-image, academic achievement, and cultural development among young men. The program was later named “The Men of Tomorrow Program,” in recognition of the fact that the young men were going to be our future.

The program began in September of 1990 with ten high school juniors and seniors from the Oak Ridge-Knoxville area. The program soon found an enthusiastic friend and co-sponsor in Ms. Henrietta Grant, former Vice-Principal for Student Affairs, at Oak Ridge High School. Ms. Grant provided the right enthusiasm, guidance and foresight to get the program off to a good start.

After the first year, it was decided that the program could have a greater impact if it was expanded to include middle school-aged young men. This proved to be a very important decision for the Men of Tomorrow Program, since it allowed participants to enter the program at an early age and continue through high school.

In 1991, the first Men of Tomorrow Scholarship was awarded. Each year since, scholarships have been awarded to all participants in the program that have graduated and entered college. Scholarships are funded through generous donations from businesses and the local community.

As is true with the scholarship fund, all activities of the Men of Tomorrow Program are supported through generous contributions to The Men of Tomorrow Foundation from businesses and the community.

In 2004, The Men of Tomorrow Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3), and young women began to more actively participate in the program. The Foundation is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, including individuals who also serve as coordinators for the Program.

Through the use of workshops, field trips, and mentoring, program coordinators have worked to assure that these young people are exposed to as many things as possible to align with the Program’s core values. There has never been a charge to the participants in the program for any of the activities, including the field trips.

The program, which started out as a grass-roots effort to improve self-esteem of our young men, has become a community organization recognized by the local school systems, civic organizations, and businesses as a positive influence on our youth. The average participant in the program today has been in the program for two years, with some being in as long as six years. The Men of Tomorrow Program has numerous alumni that have matriculated through college and are contributing in their respective communities.