100 Black Men of Syracuse is seeking to secure funding to expand and extend year-round the youth reading program “Kitabu Corner” the organization launched in March. The program aims to strengthen the comprehension and reading habits for local boys and girls enrolled in the 5th through 12th grades. Kitabu (the Swahili word for book) Corner, which was launched with personal financial contributions from members of the 100 and a matching gift from an anonymous donor, requires students to obtain a library card and read a minimum of two books from a pre-selected list of Afrocentric literature outside their assigned school reading. Students participating in the program must write a book report they must present orally in order to qualify for financial incentives or other gifts.