Black History Month: Local Mentorship Program for young African-American males

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) We’re highlighting a company referred to as 100 Black Males of Augusta. It’s part of a global group geared toward mentoring black boys and males — beginning as younger as 8 years previous. Information 12′s Mikel Hannah-Harding talked to our native members to seek out out the affect the group has on the black neighborhood.

Training, management, mentorship, financial empowerment, and well being and wellness. These are the 5 pillars of the 100 Black Males of Augusta. An area minority based mostly neighborhood group with a straight ahead mission — “What they see, is what they’ll be”.

Matt Fraser, Vice President of Programming says, “A variety of younger males – they’re simply on the lookout for love. Somebody to speak too, any individual to vent too. The streets are at all times there for them so now we have to be simply as accessible because the streets. So we attempt to be their village each time they want any individual to vent too or any individual to encourage them.”

It’s a non-profit and expense free program for mentees. The Augusta chapter of 100 Black Males has been round since 1995 and brings collectively males from all walks of life who immediately pour into our native youth.

Fraser says, “There are such a lot of occupations that aren’t talked about in our tradition. So we attempt to instill in them that their are extra methods to earn cash than choosing up a mic, choosing up a ball or choosing up medication.”

Derek Bell, Jr. is a mentee from this system and tells me they push him to be one of the best model of himself — with out asking for something in return.

Bell has been immediately impacted by this mentorship program and encourages different younger males like him to hitch.

”I really feel like they push so that you can be your finest self and that’s why you need to be a part of.”

Bell went on to say, ”This program is actually one thing particular — some locations you don’t really feel the love however right here you do.”

I do know that I wouldn’t be who I’m at present if it wasn’t for older males who regarded like me, taking the time to pour into me as a toddler and younger grownup.

Matt Fraser defined to me that the sooner children are in a position to enroll in this system, the higher. And it’s a lifelong bond.

“Our mentoring by no means stops — we mentor 12 months spherical — and even after they graduate though we mentor from 8-18 — we mentor previous that.”

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