As part of a Black History Month celebration, more than 240 people gathered at the Oakland African American Museum and Library Friday to support Mayor Jean Quan's initiative to recruit 2,000 mentors for the city's most at-risk youth.

"I'm asking you to stand up for the young people of Oakland," Quan said. "The superintendent of schools told me that only 30 percent of our African-American men are graduating from high school. Thirty percent. That's about half of the national average. And we wonder why we have crime in the city and high unemployment."

Quan said the city must give young folks hope, particularly those who are struggling in school, aging out of foster care, or re-entering the community from juvenile hall.

"There's no excuse in a city like this with the kind of talent we have in this room for only 30 percent of young African-American men, and it's not that much better for Latino men, to graduate from high school," she said. "That's why I need your help."

Al Fortier, the business representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1245, said he attended Friday's event to pass on the resources that he has.

"I was pretty excited to hear about Mayor Quan's initiative," he said. "I'm also a part of some organizations within the IBEW that do mentoring as well, so I want to try and link up with her to maybe use some of my resources to help her out and the city of Oakland."

Fortier said the city can benefit greatly from the mayor-led mentor initiative.

"I think it's great she's taking the initiative because there are a lot of organizations that would like to participate in something like this," he said. "So for us to be under one umbrella and have some sort of cohesiveness, I think it would be beneficial to the city and the citizens of Oakland as well."

Oakland Raider Langston Walker said he was honored to be invited to the event by Quan. Walker also said that its important for young folks to have someone to help guide them through life.

"You know, growing up, as a child you need all the support you can get," Walker said. "I think having a mentor can be of great value to our youth, particularly those that are most vulnerable."

Guests of the event mingled and networked with high profile attendees like California State Assemblyman Sandre Swanson. Music for the night was provided by pianist and Oaklander, Kev Choice.

Many people also took time to view the museum's installations including the permanent multi-media installation "Visions Toward Tomorrow: The African American Community in Oakland, 1890-1990."

The African American Museum and Library building has a rich history. A historic Carnegie building, it served as Oakland’s main library from 1902 until 1951. Following extensive restoration from damage it sustained during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, it reopened in 2002 as the new home of the African American Museum and Library. Prior to the 2002 move, the city's museum and library was housed at the Oakland Public Library’s Golden Gate Branch.

Joel B. Young, vice president on the AC Transit Board of directors, said he's planing to sign up for the mayor's mentor program.

"I'm excited, I think this important," he said. "I think that tonight's event is the beginning. If she can get 10 percent of the people here tonight to sign up, that's 1 percent towards her goal."