How to Mentor African-American Children Effectively

Mentoring is an important method of reaching African-American children.

Aside from the social inequalities of racism, many African-American children also deal with other issues, such as family strife, health problems, a lack of positive role models, and sometimes a sense of hopelessness. African-American children need to receive guidance and emotional support from their community because this could influence their lives for the better.

Instructions

1. Mentor by example. If you want the children to learn the importance of having a strong work ethic and setting goals in life, bring them to your place of business and have them watch you interact with your employees and how you maintain other aspects of your business. If you want them to value marriage and family, invite them to your home where you and your spouse can serve as mentors on relationships.

2. Ask them about their lives. Have the children talk about their family lives and how they feel about school, relationships and friends. While listening, take mental notes of what their emotional and material needs are so you can develop effective ways of reaching them.

3. Take them to local activities. For example, if you want to expose the children to various types of arts activities, bring them to free jazz concerts at the park or take them to an author's book reading at the public library. Also bring them to local universities' open house events so they can learn about the benefits of a college education.

References

• PR Newswire: Big Brothers Big Sisters & African-Americans Enter Mentoring Month With a Plan to Help African-American Children Succeed
• Cleveland Plain Dealer: Black Men Must Step Up to Mentor