Inspiring teenagers of color through scholarships, internships and mentoring is the aim of Gregory McDaniel and his 49 fellow members of Sarasota’s Gamma Xi Boule, a chapter of a national fraternity comprised of 5,000 mostly African-American men with post-graduate degrees, whose motto is “Extraordinary men called to lead.”

“My wife and I made a decision when we relocated here to help make it the best community it can be. I was once a young kid who needed direction, and people helped me become the person I am today. This is not an atypical city as far as minority development, but the generosity, the people who care, who try to make a difference here—that hit me in the face.”

“I am the Social Action Committee co-chair but all the members create the Journey to Success program. That program reaches hundreds of kids through a summer internship program and a monthly speaker series at Booker High. Our goal is to reach thousands.”

Gamma Xi Boule Foundation’s fund-raising gala for youth development, featuring a performance by the WBTT Soul Crooners, is Saturday, Feb. 13, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Tickets: (941) 366-1505 ext. 106.