Did you know that 80 percent of young Black professionals credit having a mentor for their success in the workplace? In celebration of Black History Month, we at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona would like to recognize the incredible dedication and commitment of our black mentors. A special thanks to all of our Black Bigs for taking time to invest in our communities! The role of a Big is to be a positive friend to a child in need of a role model. They provide encouragement and advice, academic support if needed, and help their Littles understand how they can achieve success in life. Their mentorship is a key component of creating a more equitable future for the next generation. Let’s all do our part to create a more just world by empowering youth.
Unfortunately, Black youth are less likely than their peers to have access to mentoring opportunities. Together, we can bridge this gap. Our mentorship programs are evidence based and help provide children with the support they need to achieve their full potential. We hold ourselves accountable for every child in our program. Studies have shown that youth who meet with their mentors at least twice a month for one year have higher grades, confidence, and motivation to attend class.
But the benefits of having a supportive mentor don’t end when a child reaches adulthood, either. Mentorship can have a lifelong lasting positive impact on children. Black youth who had a mentor are more likely to graduate college and have higher paying jobs.
Want to learn more about our organization and how you can get involved? Click here to register for one of our upcoming virtual information sessions. If you’d like to learn about the origin of Black History month and how you and your family can celebrate, click here.
