100 Men in Suits Showcases Black Excellence and Student Leadership
Student-led initiative distributes 200 donated suits, promotes career readiness and strengthens community amid historic growth in male enrollment.
BALTIMORE — Three Coppin State University student leaders brought brotherhood and career readiness together through 100 Men in Suits, an initiative that distributed 200 suits in just one hour to help male students prepare for professional opportunities.
Held outside the Talon Center, the event was organized through a collaboration among Shy-heem Breedlove, president of Strong Men Overcoming Obstacles Through Hard-Work (S.M.O.O.T.H.) Incorporated; Student Government Association Vice President Vernon Dargan Jr.; and the 26th Mr. Coppin, Dayquan Pier.
The suits were donated by Sharp Dressed Man, a Baltimore-based nonprofit that provides professional attire to men participating in workforce reentry, recovery and veterans programs. Through donated clothing, the organization helps men build confidence, restore dignity and prepare for new opportunities.
The initiative brought together students, faculty, staff and alumni to promote confidence, professionalism and career readiness while creating opportunities for mentorship and networking.
"The inspiration behind the event was to support the male students of the Coppin community by providing professional attire and encouraging confidence, professionalism, and career readiness," said Breedlove. "This event showed the importance of giving back and making sure everyone has access to a suit if any opportunity comes their way."
The initiative comes as Coppin continues to experience historic growth in male enrollment at a time when men remain underrepresented in higher education nationally. Male enrollment at Coppin has increased 74% since 2021, while new male undergraduate enrollment grew 42% from Fall 2025 to Fall 2026.
"This event highlighted Black excellence, brotherhood, and the importance of men uplifting one another," said Pier.
The support continued the following week when Coppin State admissions counselor Jahi Chatman covered the cost of professional headshots for 57 students during an initiative hosted by the Coppin State chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA).
The event also attracted widespread attention on social media. A mannequin challenge video featuring students adjusting one another's ties generated more than 502,000 views and drew a supportive comment from rapper Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd.
More than a celebration of style, 100 Men in Suits demonstrated how Coppin students are investing in one another, creating opportunities for their peers and strengthening a culture of brotherhood and support that extends beyond the classroom.
Watch the Event
