Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the leading youth mentoring organization in the country, is excited to announce a groundbreaking initiative: Game Changers. This innovative program brings together influential leaders and change-makers from across the nation to address pressing issues impacting America’s youth. Topics include mental health, equity, and the power of mentorship.
In a country where one in three children lack a consistent adult mentor and over 30,000 young people are on the BBBSA’s national waitlist, Game Changers is more than a program—it’s a lifeline. This initiative aims to emphasize that mentorship is not a luxury, but a necessity.
For its inaugural group, Game Changers has enlisted prominent Black men who have personally experienced the transformative power of mentorship. They will support BBBSA’s mission to attract more mentors (“Bigs”) and address the significant representational gap in mentorship, with three times more black youth than black mentors in BBBS’ programs.
The Game Changers roster boasts an impressive lineup, including Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D., Aloe Blacc, Wayne Brady, Kelvin Buncum, Nate Burleson, Sway Calloway, “GRIFF”, Daymond John, Solomon Thomas, Rachaad White, and Terrance Williams. These influential and inspiring figures will use their platforms to shift the mentorship narrative, share their journeys, and encourage volunteers, particularly Black men, to get involved.
“Each Game Changer embodies the profound impact of mentorship and possesses the power to inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Artis Stevens, president and CEO of BBBSA. Known for its ‘It Takes Little to be Big’ national campaign, BBBSA’s Game Changers also represents a national call-to-action, encouraging volunteers, partners, and supporters to create countless mentoring moments for young people nationwide.
Future Game Changers will come from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the variety of inspiring stories and journeys of young people in need of positive mentorship across the nation. Collaborations with industry leaders such as TikTok and Clear Channel Outdoor will amplify the Game Changers’ mentoring stories and rally volunteer support nationwide.
For more information, visit BBBSA Game Changers.
