BET Networks and ICON MANN established a partnership to celebrate the positive impact that Black men are making domestically and across the globe with the launch of ICON MANN™ “28 Men of Change.”™ This special Black History Month initiative will share the journeys of 28 contemporary trailblazers whose formula for success includes empowering others, and who credit their personal and professional advancement to their continued investment in philanthropy.
BET Networks will honor Charles Jenkins as one of the ’28 Men of Change’ with an exclusive interview highlighting his success at combining his passions with his purpose. “Charles Jenkins is a Visionary who understands how to inspire, influence and elevate people of all ages to new beginnings. His type of leadership is what communities are in desperate need of today,” explains Louis Carr, President of Media Sales BET Networks.
The interview will air on BET, Centric, BET.com and Centric.com throughout the day. “I am very humbled to be among the youngest on the list of true Icons who are painting positive pictures for what young black men can become,” says Jenkins.
The Grammy-winning songwriter will also release his new pulsating dance anthem “Real Love” by his new group Inspired People today on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Spotify. The video for the single will premieres today on BET’s “106 and Park.” Jenkins and his wife created a list of 30 Random Acts of Real Love to inspire practical impactful action, and describes the anthem as “a celebration of giving, sharing, and human dignity amplifying the true meaning of love in its rawest form.”
Jenkins has been widely respected and revered for his generous heart, innovative thinking, contemporary leadership, diverse influence, business savvy and holistic approach to social change and large-scale community development. He has spent the past thirteen years as Senior Pastor of the historic Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, a rapidly growing multi-location congregation founded by civil rights pioneer Reverend Clay Evans.
He is also Founding President of Fellowship Educational and Economic Development Corporation (FEED), a 501c3 that focuses on education, community development, job creation, public safety, and urban renewal in Chicago inner-city neighborhoods. FEED is currently leading a $26 million effort known as The Legacy Project estimated to produce 400 new jobs creating a socioeconomic oasis to enhance Chicago’s Southside.
A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Jenkins has also received countless awards and citations for his service including being inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers and Scholars at Morehouse College, being selected as one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s Urban Business Game Changers under 40. He also received The Gift of Hope’s highest honor, The Lifesaving Partner Award for leading thousands to become organ donors in Illinois saving countless lives.
