My son and I moved to Hampton, Virginia during the pandemic from another state. I am a single parent who did not have any family or friends in Hampton Roads. After a few years of residing in the area, I reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters. However, I was informed that there was a shortage of volunteers. After researching other mentoring opportunities, I discovered 100 Black Men of The Virginia Peninsula, Inc. After my son became a mentee through the Saturday Self-Development Academy, I was pleased that he could have an opportunity to be mentored by men in the community who are committed to inspiring, educating, and empowering youth. I am extremely grateful for the time and attention that was given to my son at a critical time in his life. The Saturday Self-Development Academy fills community gaps in the lives of young people who can benefit from having access to a village of positive men.

What I’ve seen in Jay is not just growth, but a deepening sense of who he is and what he stands for. He carries himself with more confidence. He’s more thoughtful in his decisions. He’s more grounded in his identity and values. That kind of development doesn’t happen by chance - it happens through mentorship, community, and love. And that’s exactly what 100 Black Men has offered him.

To the brothers of this incredible organization: thank you for showing up, for pouring into my  son and for believing in his greatness even before he seen it himself . Because of you, I see not just a boy growing up, I see a young man rising

As a parent of 100 Black Men Mentee Peninsula Chapter, my son and I have gained an awesome experience by the 100 Black Men showing up and showing out. They have taken the mentees on field trips to show different jobs, showed up to the schools during father’sand father figures breakfast and school meetings, football games, they offered tutoring,therapy support, counseling them to get through any situation, a phone call away, helpwhere it is needed for the child and family. They offer scholarships. They even showed support for my child and I during the lost of his father, etc. They have been truly exemplary men showing the mentees to strive for greatness and to be great, and how to be example in the community. I would like to personally thank the 100 Black Men for all the hard work, dedication, and time they give to each mentee and parent.

100 Black Men has been influential to my 3 scholar men. As a single mom, I can create positive assignments on life for them to understand and complete; however, I don’t know what it feels like to be a male child developing into a man. The 100 took that burden off me 2x per month since 2019 and I receive compliments daily on how respectable, professional, dependable and polite my sons are. They provided mentorship that gave them confidence to look people in the eye and speak and shake hands firmly. This opened many doors for them to be invited to and show up in the most influential rooms of success.