By  Dianne Anderson

Probably the hardest part about working with Black kids in Orange County is dispelling the myth that they are all born with a silver spoon and come from crème de la crème stock.

More accurately, a lot of Black families in the big Orange are struggling, with many of the young men from single family households.

Derreck Ford, long-time volunteer with the 100 Black Men of Orange County, can relate.

He was raised on the tougher side of the Bronx by a single mom who was responsible for six children, and they never had a silver spoon. Having worked his way up as a successful local businessman, giving back to the kids today is more than just a notion.

“I was a knucklehead, that’s why I love these kids,” said Ford, chairman of the 100 BMOC education program. “I was just like them. I understand there’s transformation that’s going to take place.”

In some ways, the problem for local Black kids is that it’s much harder living in communities where money seems to grow on trees for their classmates and neighbors, but not for them.

Ford, who is also president and CEO of Jetec Corporation, said it’s difficult getting their young men to appreciate where they come from. One way is empowerment, and knowledge is power.

About a month ago, Disney Corporation held an event for the 100 BMOC youths, explaining job opportunities with the company that spans nearly every career imaginable. It turns out the company is more than handing out Mickey Mouse ears.

Youths walked away inspired. In the future, Ford wants to bring other corporations and companies closer to the idea of hiring from the 100 Black Men.

“You’re not only getting that kid. You know that the kid has to report to a mentor. There’s accountability,” said Ford, in business for over 20 years, having carved his own place in a very niche market. He has done well through some of the nation’s toughest recessions.

As a volunteer mentor with the100 BMOC Passport Program, he brings life skills and business savvy. Last year, one of his students graduated and is now taking classes in engineering, and acting as an intern with his company.

“They go in with the attitude of learn, learn, learn and do the job the best you can do,” he said.

Over the years, he’s always welcomed youths into his company to make extra money, learn, and perhaps most valuable, to see a positive Black male role model in action.

Ford said another strong focus for the program is helping students get in line with trades and careers that are growing faster than the nation’s unemployment lines. But he rejects the pity party mentality.

He tells his students that this is the ideal time for jobs, provided they make the right choices now. Young people entering science, technology, engineering and mathematics aren’t going to be hurting for work anytime soon.

“There are always jobs. What you’re hearing is that a lot of people don’t qualify for the jobs,” said Ford, who co-coordinates the education program with Len Hubbard, where about 70 students are receiving mentoring and getting important networking connections.

For the most part, unless it’s positive talk about how to beat the economic downturn, he doesn’t get stuck on any roadblocks.

“One of the things we tell our youth is that they don’t have to choose to live like that. They learn that they have a choice. They don’t have to live in that [impoverished] environment,” he said.

For the year ahead, they plan to tap local corporations to check out 100 BMOC talent. They’re young, eager to get their foot in the door, and not afraid of hard work. They understand the concept of “corporate presence,” and know how to wear a suit and a tie.

“What I try to tell small businesses is that there is a very good pool of inexpensive labor coming from the 100,” he said. “Our young men are motivated. Our young men are disciplined.”

For more information on the program, see http://www.100bmoc.com/