Mentorship is an engine of progress in a world where access is often the deciding factor in who gets an opportunity. Thankfully, there are organizations across a multitude of industries that deliberately invest their time and resources in the next wave of change-makers, innovators, and future leaders. These Black mentorship programs share the guiding principles that keep the pipeline of excellence flowing. They are the bridge to a bright future in Black communities. Whether mentors operate in boardrooms or standing at the front of a classroom, they impart knowledge and wisdom to the ambitious mentees who will stand on their shoulders. A mentorship‑driven culture is the gift that keeps on giving. BLACK ENTERPRISE recognizes those who are committed to extending mentoring efforts on National Mentoring Day.
100 Black Men of America, Inc.
Since its founding in 1963, 100 Black Men of America Inc. has become a network of Black professionals who step up as role models and mentors. Their mentoring and leadership‑development offerings, including the Collegiate 100® and Emerging 100® programs, aim to lift youth and young adults across a spectrum of areas: leadership, education, health, economic empowerment, and personal mentorship. Over the decades, local chapters have turned up the volume on youth‑centric programming, expanding the organization’s reach and impact on the generation. 100 Black Men of America Inc.’s mission is to craft a “pipeline” of leaders, providing mentees with access to role models and the resources that can help them thrive.
National Black MBA Association — Leaders of Tomorrow®
The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is an organization devoted to advancing leadership within the business arena. One of its flagship youth‑focused initiatives, Leaders of Tomorrow® (LOT) is a nine-months program that blends mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities for students. Over the course of the program, participants explore leadership, STEM, financial literacy, and career readiness, while building toward competition and a summit. Across 40 chapters, LOT engages 400 high‑school students each year to arm young Black learners with the know‑how, confidence, connections, and visibility essential for success in college and the professional world, preparing them to become tomorrow’s trailblazers.
Tomorrow’s Black Men
Tomorrow’s Black Men (TBM) is a mentoring organization that works with boys aged 13‑17, with a particular focus on those at risk. Through a cadence of mentor‑driven activities, TBM exposes participants to a kaleidoscope of cultural, work, and community settings; this might involve attending sports and cultural events, building positive relationships, or diving into life‑experience opportunities. TBM provides mentorship year‑round. Based in Washington, D.C.’s metro area, the organization’s goal is to broaden young boys’ horizons.
University Of Alberta Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program
The University of Alberta’s Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program in Canada pairs Black high‑school students with both a faculty member and a community mentor to foster leadership skills and a stronger academic identity. Over a six‑week summer stretch, students in grades 11 and 12 take part in activities, research experiences, and workshops that focus on building personal and scholarly confidence. The program kicked off circa 2020 with a mission to sharpen leadership abilities, increase post‑secondary enrollment and graduation rates, and nurture both a sense of belonging and a proud cultural identity among youth.
R.E.A.C.H. 1000 Mentoring Program — City of Boston Initiative
R.E.A.C.H. 1000 Mentoring Program, a Boston‑anchored effort spearheaded by the Office of Black Male Advancement. The Boston Public Schools Division of Student Support and My Brother’s Keeper Boston set its sights on enlisting a thousand adult mentors and pairing each with a BPS student. The initiative zeroes in on nurturing identity, bolstering college‑ and career readiness, sharpening literacy, and fostering community engagement. Rolled out in October 2023, the initiative seeks to close the mentoring and opportunity gaps that Black boys and other BIPOC students face, furnishing them with networks, practical skills, and resources to thrive in school and beyond.
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