The Educated Mentor: Volume 2, Issue 4 (Spring 2022)

THE EDUCATED

Spring 2022 Volume 2, Issue 4

MENTOR

MESSAGE FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS

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Welcome to the 4th quarter! As we near the end of the fiscal year, we reflect with gratitude on the hard work of our staff, program participants, and supporters. Over the past year, the CBM network has built systems and spaces that have brought collegiate black males together in new ways. We've learned from struggling with complex social issues and the implications COVID-19 had on college enrollment and persistence among black males. So much that it has influenced the rollout of our revised strategic plan - L.E.S is more. It has encouraged us to pivot how we support collegiate black males from a campusbased to a cohort-styled model from a national pool of applicants for our Onyx 25 program. We believe building a personal learning network is an imperative theme we see through our early research findings.

Education is no longer the process of attending a facility where educators would await in front of a board with a piece of chalk to transmit the knowledge to their students. Let's get right to the point: networks of aligned people are robust, and when connected, they operate more like a live organism than a hierarchy.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Dr. Darryl Hylton, Jr. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Jamie L. Enge JOURNAL EDITOR Dr. Darryl Hylton, Jr. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Daniel Bryant Wayne Emmanuel Credle, Jr. DeMico Davis Jamie Enge De'Mario Helm Dr. Darryl Hylton Austin Reid Nicolas Thompson Antonio Triplett Braiden Wade

Questions to consider: Who is in your learning network?

Whom do you learn from regularly?

Who do and should you turn to for your professional development?

We can't wait to see what's in store throughout Quarter 4.

In Mentorship,

Dr. Darryl Hylton, Jr. Jamie L. Enge Dr. Darryl Hylton & Jamie Enge Co-Founders

The Educated Mentor is the official publication of The Collegiate Black Male Network published four times a year. For any questions or feedback regarding the publication, please contact us at info@thecbmnetwork.org Stay connected with us: 'Like' us on Facebook: facebook.com/thecbmnetwork Follow us on Instagram: @thecbmnetwork

Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thecbmnetwork

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thecbmnetwork.org

THE EDUCATED

MENTOR

volume 2, issue 4

17 BEYOND INITIATIVE

LEGACY

06 Philanthropy At-A-Glance

12 The Mentor Spotlight

An overview of our philanthropy from Quarter 3

08 National News Get the latest information from the National Office

10 Amplified

Recognizing Trailblazer, DeMico Davis

17 Dear Brother, Receive a Word of Empowerment from Rev. Wayne Emmanuel Credle, Jr.

Students share their perspectives on the importance of networking

The Educated Mentor

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Q3 Philanthropy AT A GLANCE

$2.5K+ Acquired in donations

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Total numbers of donors

#CLUB250 Donors

General Donors

DaQuan Love Donovan Perry Jaron Dawson Doc Dillard Dr. Brandon Brown Katie & Corley Senyard Gregory Dendy, Jr. Dr. Darryl Hylton Kimberly Hylton Joyce Walker Gabriela Torres Pam Johnson Davis Lindsey Nurczyk Jacqueline Carter Rhuna Holley Marquise McGriff Jamie Enge Tymon Graham Nadine Spruell Nathan Anthony Noreen Spruell

THANK YOU!

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Gifts were made by organizations/businesses

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Gifts were made by individuals

National News Are you looking for an opportunity to serve?

We are currently searching for the next individuals to serve as members of the Board of Directors for The CBM Network.

Serving a two-year term, the Board of Directors is an integral part of the organization's success. If you or someone you know would be an excellent fit for this role, consider submitting your application. To access the application, visit www.thecbmnetwork.org/jobs.

Onyx 25 Recognition & Leadership Program The Onyx 25 program is underway with its inaugural cohort!

Selected students from around the country are participating in a 12week program focused on personal, professional, and leadership development. Additionally, they have been partnered with professional mentors directly aligned with their career interests. We will be publishing a special edition of The Educated Mentor for the Onyx 25 program. Stay tuned for the students’ and mentors’ experiences.

Our New Strategic Plan - L.E.S. is More We are excited to announce our new strategic plan, L.E.S. is more. L.E.S is More is an intentionally redesigned strategic plan focused on three significant goals rooted in Learning, Execution, and Support to position The Collegiate Black Male Network as a leading organization in increasing the persistence and graduation rates of collegiate African-American men. See the next page for a brief overview, and stay tuned for the full rollout on July 1st.

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L.E.S is More The 2025 Strategic Plan L.E.S is More is an intentionally redesigned strategic plan focused on three major goals rooted in Learning, Execution, and Support to position The Collegiate Black Male Network as a leading organization in increasing the persistence and graduation rates of collegiate African-American men.

L.E.S IS MORE PLAN 2025 GOALS

ONE

INCREASE # OF INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED WITH THE CBM NETWORK. Increase # of students enrolled and engaged in Onyx 25.

Increase donor retention.

The Collegiate Black Male Network

TWO

THE CBM NETWORK WILL ESTABLISH ITSELF AS A MODEL FOR COLLEGIATE BLACK MALE STUDENT SUCCESS. Demonstrate organizational value to stakeholders and supporters.

Assist our peers in supporting collegiate Black males across the country. www.thecbmnetwork.org

THREE

PROVIDE CONTINUOUS EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR COLLEGIATE BLACK MEN. Implement an alumni coaching support program for Onyx 25.

Expand opportunities to remove barriers that impact student persistence. info@thecbmnetwork.org

Amplified "Can You Hear Me Now?!"

The Power of Networking By: Dr. Darryl Hylton

Networking is an essential and practical skill needed to succeed in corporate America. At some point in time, everyone has heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, but who you know." But what does this mean?

Essentially, you can have all the information in the world, but if you don't have an equal connection to individuals in places and spaces to help you apply that knowledge, there is no impact.

While it may seem like a simple concept, it is not a skill one can quickly master. It takes time, practice, and development. However, the students featured in this networking edition of Amplified share their experiences on networking and how it has helped them achieve success.

Austun Reid

Senior, Oakwood University

“I believe that networking is crucial, especially in college because it’s not always WHAT you know, but WHO you know. Back in 2020, during the height of quarantine, I reached out to DeVon Franklin asking him for a position at his production company, Franklin Entertainment! He gave me a chance, and two years later, I have successfully launched A. Michael Agency, my digital marketing agency, hosting my first annual awards show in 2023 -- The Historically Black Achievement Awards, and I am working with a show produced by Issa Rae entitled “Sweet Life; Los Angeles. I’m also doing an HBCU Tour, “Road to 107,” where I’ve been visiting all 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country and have made so many great connections and met many amazing people who have provided many different opportunities. The power of networking has helped me out tremendously, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without God, my family, and my Network!”

Daniel Bryant

Sophomore, North Carolina A&T State University

The power of networking has been an essential part of my personal, professional, and academic development. Reaching out to create a spirit of collaboration to initiate higher thinking and promote critical conversation is at the core of what I strive to do with my network. Networking has become a trend with the phrase “Your network is your net worth”. I break down “networking” by visualizing my network as an actual net. A net is used to grasp things as it is cast out. I look at my network as my net to cast in the sea of opportunity and in the air of possibilities although your net starts empty and with holes as you put yourself out there and learn the power your net holds you begin to fill your net with knowledge and connections. Networking has helped me achieve 3 things: Communicating my goals effectively, Being Bold in my capabilities and staying Motivated to acquire perspective and knowledge.

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Nicholas Thompson

Senior, The University of Alabama

Networking has proven to be invaluable for achieving my goals. One of the most prominent instances was when I pursued an internship with NASA in high school. My teacher, Mr. Frederick, had become a mentor of mine and reached out to a friend of his who worked in the hiring department. After speaking with me over the phone, the hiring director urged me to apply and scheduled an interview with the program director. After the interview and completing all of the required tasks, I was assigned to work on the Near Earth Asteroid Scout program. This experience reshaped my understanding of how education relates to the workforce and inspired my passion for achieving my dreams.

The experiences I had during that internship are one of the several moments I look back to for inspiration to keep going after remembering what others have done to help get me where I am.

Antonio Triplett

Senior, University of Missouri - Columbia

The power of networking has played a pivotal role in my academic career at Mizzou. In the summer of 2021, I was approaching my senior year of undergrad. As a transfer student, I was behind in preparing to succeed in my final two semesters. Then, not only was I lacking the necessary extracurricular experience crucial to an aspiring medical student, I lacked the essential social experience gained from being involved in a collegiate organization. Adding the factor of the pandemic made getting hospital experience with no experience go from a challenge to nearly impossible. By building a relationship that started with a gym interaction, I connected with Dr. Henderson Kelley, the Associate Dean of the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine. Since networking, I have obtained an internship in an orthopedic hospital, involvement with a meaningful organization, and unwavering determination to maximize opportunities from networking.

Braiden Wade

Sophomore, University of Missouri - Columbia

The power of networking has helped me create many opportunities I thought I’d never get. I’m a Black creative, I love meeting people, and I come from an area where I didn’t talk to many people. Coming to college, I had the mindset to meet as many people as possible, and it’s opened doors I never thought would be. I’ve met many people I would consider family or mentors right now. Professionally, the saying “Your name will be mentioned in places you haven’t walked in” is one that I live by. I’ve gotten jobs, internships, and experiences from people knowing my work ethic or knowing of me by word of mouth. I also learn from my environment; people are my primary source of learning, and constantly being surrounded by them, I’m learning new skills or lessons.

Academically, I’ve had access to more resources through connections I’ve made with people in my community.

De'Mario Helm

Senior, Lincoln University

The power of networking has helped me achieve my goals academically, professionally, and personally. Through networking, I’ve gained the confidence needed to speak up and be heard as the leader I was born to be. Over the years, student leaders around campus have encouraged me to become a student leader and get involved on campus because they’ve seen potential in me. Now, I humbly serve as the National Pan-Hellenic Council President at Lincoln University of Missouri, which has helped me grow professionally and academically. At Lincoln University of Missouri, there are professors, student leaders, and administrators that have helped me in various ways to become stronger academically, professionally, and personally. I thank everyone for being there to help me along this journey. By building my network of contacts, I’ve learned that people want to help others succeed in life.

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the mentor By: Jamie Enge

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Continuing our celebration and recognition of individuals doing the work of mentorship, .this quarter, we are highlighting Mr. DeMico Davis who is making an impact within his respective community through his nonprofit work.

Tell us a little about your background, who you are, where you're from, etc.

I am from the Twin Cities of Minnesota. I lived and went to school in St. Paul but spent an equal amount of time in Minneapolis involved within my family’s church and other community activities. Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” and with such an abundance of freshwater bodies, fishing with my dad during the summer months is among my most cherished memories. I am a first-generation college student. I attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology. Shortly after graduating, I relocated to Chicago to earn a master’s degree in Public Policy. Throughout my journey in higher education, I was fortunate to have the support of TRiO programming, a

Federally-funded program designed to support first-generation college students across the country.

TRiO provided me with community, mentorship, and the push I needed to graduate.

Who are the mentors (if any) that have had the most significant influence on you? What was the best piece of advice they gave you?

I am very fortunate to have had several people play significant and influential roles in my life at different times. My grandmother, who raised me, provided what I will refer to as foundational mentorship. She instilled in me the desire and pride to become a servant leader. The motto that she passed on to me is simple, “no matter what, help and serve your fellow man.” I took her advice seriously and have dedicated myself to being a servant leader to the best of my abilities in a healthy and balanced way.

What does mentorship mean to you?

Whether long-term or short-term, mentorship is such an important dynamic that I hope all people can experience. I believe that no matter what age you are, having a person willing to listen with an open ear, provide advice, instill confidence, and hold you accountable is vital. Mentorship is a relationship that is meant to include reciprocation and not be a stream of energy going only one direction. In most cases, I do not think mentees realize how much of a positive impact they have on the lives of their mentors, who are also learning and growing alongside them. The mentor-mentee relationship is a beautiful thing, and I encourage all who desire to have such a relationship to give it a try.

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Tell us a little bit about your work at Evanston Scholars?

Evanston Scholars (ES) is a non-profit organization based in Evanston, IL. Founded in 2011 by our C.E.O., Steve Newman, Evanston Scholars' mission is to improve college access and success for ambitious Evanston high school students who are first-generation college entrants. We refer to our students as “Scholars” to remind them of how worthy they are of access to higher education and the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree and beyond.

Our programming spans six years - two years of college access support, then four years of college success support. I joined the Evanston Scholars community in October 2022. My objective as Career Readiness Manager is to provide career success and professional development support beginning their sophomore years of college through our R.I.S.E. program (Relevant Internships for Successful Employment). Through monthly presentations, workshops, career fairs, networking events, and supportive coaching, Scholars are empowered to apply for internships or gain professional opportunities in their fields of interest the summer after their sophomore years. Research has shown that college students with two or more internship experiences under their belt have a higher probability of obtaining a strong foundational job within months of graduating with a 4-year degree. Seeing our scholars actively invest time into their professional development and establish roots for their career aspirations is inspiring and makes me so proud. I am excited for what the future holds for each of our Scholars as they take it one step at a time to develop their abilities and pursue their vocations.

What attracted you to doing the work you are currently doing?

I am attracted to this work because of my students. Career coaching has gifted me the opportunity to witness their growth and transformation, witness insecurities dissolve into confidence, and dreams become reality. In the career coaching business, you see every layer of someone's humanity because you are helping them navigate professional pathways that can be intimidating. After all the work you The Educated Mentor

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see them put in, you cannot help but to be excited to hear that they landed an opportunity that is fulfilling, provides security and has room to grow. Every day, I am challenged in the best way possible by understanding trends within each industry, companies' hiring practices, their commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and more. The job keeps me on my toes, and I need to be ready to adjust my coaching style and packet of resources depending on the student I am working with. This work motivates me to continue learning, adapting, and putting my best foot forward for young adults with all the talent in the world but need a chance to show how amazing they are.

What has been the most rewarding experience working with young black males?

The reward of working with young Black males is having the opportunity to witness the abundance of intelligence, talent, and gifts they all genuinely have. Their ceilings are so high, and the degree of untapped potential within each of them waiting to be unlocked is vast. They just need to be given a chance. They will thrive and go beyond expectations if the resources are there, just like anyone else. I make it a priority to tell my young black mentees the most powerful words a mentor can say, "I believe in you." So many rarely hear those words and instead are on the receiving end of mundane and derogatory statements from people who are not willing to understand their experiences, character, and aspirations. At Evanston Scholars, our black male Scholars are thriving. They are taking full advantage of being given the space and time to dream, set goals, and take action. They are going to college, are involved in their communities, and are gaining professional opportunities in their areas of interest. It brings me joy to see young Black males enter a room with confidence and with their heads held high. Furthermore, when I do not see them standing tall, I am ready to meet them where they are to begin building them up and being a resource.

What specific advice would you give those individuals who are looking to mentor Black men?

Show empathy. Do not be sympathetic, but empathetic. The Black male experience is a spectrum and generalizing us is a mistake and a disservice. Provide your mentorship from a place of understanding and keep in mind that our circumstances do not, and should not, define our character or set limits on our potential. We are malleable and capable of growing, learning and unlearning, defining, redefining, brave, and persistent. Meet your mentee where they are and build them up from there.

Anything else you would like to share with us?

I'd like to thank The Collegiate Black Male Network for the opportunity to share my story and joys in serving my community.

To learn more and support Evanston Scholars visit their website www.evanstonscholars.org and/or follow them on social media.

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Spring 2022 Edition

DEAR BROTHER

A WORD OF EMPOWERMENT

BY: REV. WAYNE EMMANUEL CREDLE, JR.

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Dear Brother

"While knowledge is power, networking is powerful."

- Rev. Wayne Emmanuel Credle, Jr.

A Word of Empowerment

Dear Brother, I finally decided it was time to sell Grandma’s Box Spring. Though I’ve had Lois Moore’s queen-size Sealy Posturepedic since 2016, it was time for my wife and me to let go.

We listed it on social media, and a couple was at our door before we knew it. This married couple was in their 70s, both in ministry, have doctoral degrees (one of which is from Regent University), and are both international missionaries in Uganda.

My wife, Passion, and I are also both in ministry, we attend Regent University, and Passion, as a missionary, has two children named after her in Uganda.

Though they needed the box spring for their ministry, we all forgot about it three hours later!

I have heard it often said, “it’s not what you know, but who you know,” and I have found this sentiment to be true. While knowledge is power, networking is powerful.

Through networking, I pastored my first church—in the Bahamas—at 23, graduated from Duke and wrote my first book at 24, graduated from a leadership school in South Africa at 25, and brought my first house at 26.

Networking allowed Passion and I to have a great wedding with a minimal cost at 28. It allowed us to start school again at 29. Brother, networking allowed us to start a business at 30! It also allowed us to meet Ugandan missionaries at 31.

Networking is a systematic skill you must witness, a survival skill learned through experience, and a successoriented skill acquired through relationship building.

Brother, we do not merely “exist,” but we exist with value. Your value deserves to be shared, celebrated, and sharpened by those around you. As a black male, you are more than enough.

My hope for you is to remember the following: · Your level of “reach” is depended upon your capacity to “reach out.” Cultivate your network by intentionally connecting with people. I promise, you will inspire others to do the same. · Your level of “reach” is depended upon your capacity to “reach up.” Cultivate your network by seeking mentors and friends who will push you out of your comfort zone and hold you accountable. I promise, you will encourage others to do the same. · Your level of “reach” is depended upon your capacity to “reach in.” Cultivate your network by increasing your own self-care regime and finding others who will support it. I promise, you will influence others to do the same. · Lastly, your level of “reach” is depended upon your capacity to “reach over.” Cultivate your network by reimagining what things could be, verses dwelling on what it currently looks like. I promise, it not only allows you to feel better, but it also positions you to be reached.

I’m always here to network and I’m always reachable.

Forever Your Brother,

Wayne Emmanuel Credle, Jr. Rev. Wayne Emmanuel Credle, Jr. Virginia Wesleyan College, 2011 Duke Divinity School, 2015

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For more information The Collegiate Black Male Network: info@thecbmnetwork.org