By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
An elegant afternoon gathering in Northeast Raleigh carried a deeper purpose beneath the music, networking, and celebration.
The 2026 Dayla, hosted by 100 Black Men of Triangle East on Saturday at Hibiscus Event Venue, brought together community leaders, families, alumni, and supporters to invest in the future of Black youth across Wake and Durham counties.
The Dayla has served as the organization’s signature fundraising event for decades, but attendees emphasized that it functions as more than a social occasion. It is a central piece of how the group sustains its year-round work—mentoring, education, and community-based programming offered at no cost to the young people it serves.
Proceeds from the event directly support initiatives such as Saturday Academy, Parent Academy, Collegiate 100, scholarship awards, and a broader framework built around the organization’s “Four For The Future” pillars: mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment.
Throughout the afternoon, the event blended celebration with recognition, highlighting scholarship recipients, honoring standout mentees and members, and showcasing the organization’s ongoing impact.
While the atmosphere featured food, entertainment, and fellowship, the underlying focus was on sustaining and growing programs that guide students in grades 6 through 12 through critical stages of development. Mentors within the organization provide hands-on support in areas ranging from leadership and financial literacy to college readiness, career exploration, and personal wellness.
"Our Dayla is more than a celebration," said President CJ Guion of 100 Black Men of Triangle East. "It is an opportunity for the community to come together in support of the young people and families we serve. Fundraising events like this allow us to continue offering impactful programming free of charge to mentees while expanding our reach and deepening our impact."
A virtual silent auction, launched several days before the event, allowed supporters from anywhere to participate. Items included a photography experience with world-renowned photographer Bradford in New York or Miami, a one-night stay at the Carolina Inn, and a private wine class at Total Wine, among other offerings. The hybrid approach reflected a broader strategy to widen engagement and ensure that distance did not limit participation in the organization’s mission.
"This project underscores our mission to uplift and support the communities we serve," he said.
That mission has continued to grow in visibility and reach in recent months.
The chapter secured a $15,000 Women Who Give a Hoot community grant and drew regional attention through media features highlighting its youth programming, including its Annual Cooking Competition. Leaders say those milestones are part of a steady expansion built on partnerships, consistency, and a focus on tangible outcomes for young people and their families.
Founded in 1997 as part of the national 100 Black Men of America network, the Triangle East chapter has positioned itself as a longstanding presence in Wake and Durham counties. Its approach centers on mentorship as both a practical tool and a long-term investment—connecting youth with role models who can help navigate academic challenges, social pressures, and career decisions.
