Success can rarely be attributed purely to luck and hard work. Most of the great success stories can be linked to a string of helping hands. Mentors are invaluable in careers and in life. They offer guidance, support, and often can open a door or two. Almost ten years ago, the White House inaugurated National Mentoring Month to help spearhead a movement of recruiting mentors. Within the black community, the need seems to be great, but so are some of the names that have answered this call to action. The Atlanta Post looks at a few African-American celebrities that have really come through.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington made a name for himself in Hollywood as a two-time Academy Award winner. But before he found success, he was a familiar face at the Boys and Girls Club in Mt. Vernon, NY. Headed in the wrong direction, his childhood mentor helped redirect his path. Today, he still credits the organization with preparing him for his successful journey. He is the national spokesperson for the mentoring organization that continues to help millions of young people dream big.
Michelle Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama understands the importance of mentoring. It was, after all, a mentoring assignment that put her on the path to the White House. As a young associate at a Chicago law firm she was asked to show Barack Obama, a new hire fresh out of Harvard, the ropes. Today the First Lady has fully embraced mentoring as one of her most important task. During her first year in the White House she launched a program pairing local high-school girls with successful female leaders, including herself. This past January she expanded her commitment, hosting a mentoring summit for some 500 advocates from around the country.
Oprah Winfrey’s influence can be felt around the world. Although she may be best known for mentoring celebrities like Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz, the queen of talk made it her motto to give back to the community. Her Angel Network enlists Ambassadors of Hope to offer guidance to those in need. Also, The Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko and Attala County located in her Mississippi hometown is carrying on the mentoring philosophy that helped a young Ms. Winfrey on her way to the top.
Usher
Usher Raymond IV went by his full name back in the ’80s while attending the Boys and Girls Club after school program in Chattanooga, TN. The multi-platinum selling recording artist believes he caught the mentoring bug while being mentored himself. Aside from shepherding artists like the wildly successful Justin Beiber through the music industry, he founded Usher’s New Look Foundation (UNLF), an organization dedicated to ensuring young people “have the tools they need to be global leaders”. Usher has said, he believes in the power of service and wants to promote the potential of our youth.
Colin Powell
General Colin Powell has been a spokesperson for the National Mentoring month campaign for years. His mission has been to recruit mentors not just stateside, but in the Carribean as well. In 1997 he made his mark as a mentor by founding America’s Promise Alliance. Initially General Powell served as Chairman, today the organization, which is in partnership with 400+ corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups, is chaired by his wife, Alma. All the organizations share a passion for improving the lives of young people by preparing them for college and work.
Susan Taylor
Susan Taylor was the editor in chief for Essence magazine until January 2008. After leaving the publication she turned her attention to mentoring. Essence Cares, which came into being in 2006, morphed into the National CARES Mentoring Movement, which is one of the fastest growing coalitions in the country. As head of the movement Taylor is committed to fulfilling the organization’s mission of expanding the number of Black adult mentors and pairing them with millions of vulnerable children on mentoring waiting lists across the country.
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks has always been about girl power. Her talk show focused on issues that plague young women, and her Top Model gave many girls a chance to achieve their dreams. In both shows Banks easily occupied the role of a mentor. Off camera she’s behind the Tzone foundation, a non-profit organization designed to build a sisterhood movement by raising funds to serve low-income girls. The Foundation is committed to supporting visionary organizations that enable women and girls to achieve their full potential.
John Legend
In the song “Show Me” Grammy Award winner John Legend sings, “Show me the light, Show me the way, Show that you’re listening”. The song inspired him to launch the Show Me Campaign, through which Legend is helping to shed light on educational programs that are working. He describes himself as a hands-on educational facilitator, and by going into classrooms and talking to students and teachers, Legend is offering the guidance children need to succeed. His Show Me Campaign also works with General Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance.
