The Prospective Gents Club began in 1996. Its logo is two elephant tusks with four rings of color at the bottom of each tusk representing the four classes and a sun rising out of the acronym PGC with seven rays. Freshmen wear gold, sophomores wear forest green, juniors wear red and seniors wear black. The Club's mascot is any part of a lion and official flower is the iris. The Club's unofficial motto is: "Decent and in Order" from I Corinthians 14:40.
Members of the Prospective Gents Club attend 25 different high schools in the Portland metro area. Much like the Imminent Ladies, they are chosen after a month-long application process. Their ultimate goal is to earn the elevation to The AGAPE Circle and be considered a man in the community. The 7 Barometers of Manhood that all Prospective Gents must know are: 1. Spirituality, 2. Scholarship, 3. Cultural Awareness, 4. Effective Use of Time, 5. Entrepreneurship, 6. Community Building and 7. Respect.
If they participate long enough in the program, the Prospective Gents will become men. But the question is ... what type of men would they be without an authentic rite of passage?
The Club's Mission Statement reads: "To elevate the African-American
male to the status of true manhood, by submitting to an African-centered, spiritually-grounded,
character-building rites of passage program that promotes scholarship, entrepreneurship,
and community building."
To this end here are some further details about a few of these focus areas:
Spirituality – Unlike the American philosophy of separation of church and state, the Africans believe that spirituality is infused with everyday life. In The Bridge Builders program students are encouraged to practice the faith of their choice and write a Life Book. Our most popular expression of spirituality is through our performance teams: cane precision, dance, music, speech, and step.
Scholarship – Prospective Gents are expected to maintain a B grade point average and matriculate into a college or university upon high school graduation. To assist the students in reaching this goal, the prospective gents are assigned to academic mentors at the University of Portland and meet for a minimum of three hours per week. Students who reach their academic goals are eligible to attend the Annual Spring Heritage Tour.
Entrepreneurship – Each month a different company sponsors Purification Day. The Prospective Gents wears a dress shirt and tie to school and eat lunch with a professional from the sponsoring company. Prospective Gents apply for internships and summer jobs at these companies and others. Students are taught the concepts of owning their own businesses as well.
Community Building – In an attempt to establish stronger unity in the community, the Prospective Gents mentor 8th grade boys at Portland area middle schools. The Prospective Gents also participate in activities and community celebrations the Bridge Builders sponsor for Kwanzaa, Black History Month, Juneteenth, Women's History Month and high school graduations.
THE PROSPECTIVE GENTS CLUB: EXPECTATIONS
THE PROSPECTIVE GENTS CLUB: CLUB OFFICERS
THE PROSPECTIVE GENTS CLUB: CLASS DIRECTORS
* Photographs taken by Aevum Images