Thriving Under The Influence Mentor Program Positive African American Youth Development

African American and Latinx boys face a myriad of systemic and societal challenges. To effectively address these issues, we must explore “dynamic” approaches to existing performance paradigms. Preparing our youth to thrive in racially hostile environments requires focusing on more than “content standards” and embracing deliberate approaches that address “social and emotional” factors that young black boys face outside the schoolyard.

Bridge Builders Foundation has committed to augmenting existing resources by providing and/or arranging for services and resources that are nonexistent or insufficient in communities of color.

Positive youth development is critical for African-American youth as they negotiate a social, political, and historical landscape grounded in systemic inequities and racism.

Our approach embraces many factors identified in the Positive African American Youth Development (Grills, 2015). We address Racial Socialization, Civic and Community Engagement, and Future Orientation. We host weekly sessions and discuss resilience, hard history, anger management, surviving police encounters, and healthy living. Our goal is to infuse in our youth a sense of agency, belonging, competence and power.

Black men from multiple disciplines and across multiple age groups share real-life experiences and openly address issues and challenges unique to the youth of color. The process begins with sharing pro-social values and grows as mentors are looked upon as role models, ultimately blossoming into meaningful two-way dialogue and engagement. Mentoring engagement is led by lead mentors certified in Healing Centered Engagement. Participating in youth report increases confidence and agency and benefit from the engagement, encouragement, and experiences of older men of color.

Participating students benefit from structured in-person group sessions, individualized mentor support, virtual math tutoring, weekly virtual mentoring sessions, and participation in bi-monthly “incentivebased” community enrichment field trips to educational and recreational venues. Many also serve as “Youth Ambassadors,” where they are paid to mentor, tutor, and coach younger students within their communities. For many, this is their first job and provides valuable financial resources, work experience, and a structured introduction to civic engagement and community service.

Studies show that every 1 dollar invested in quality youth mentoring yields a $3 return in benefits to society. BBF has established strong relationships with local fraternities, faith-based, and community service organizations that provide thousands of hours of volunteer support that further leverages BBF’s reach, resources, and access for participating youth.