The Importance of Black Mentors & What Black Mentorship Means to Me

Every February, during Black History month, as a nation we exalt the strength and endurance of our ancestors, the persistence and brilliance of the generations after, and the stealth and unrelenting pursuit of the next generation of Black excellence.

DECADES ON DECADES OF PURE BLACK EXCELLENCE.

For steady wins the race, we understand the girth wielding power that resides within the Black woman, the undeniable plight and fierce acceleration of the Black Man, and the center of not just community, but power, that resounds in the solidarity of a unified Black family. We also understand the mustard seed of magic waiting to be sown within the mind of a Black child. Black mentors are stagehands to a much larger production, which helps provide examples of what is, insert support that empowers, and helps create environments where dreams of what could be, are able to emerge for their mentees. Being able to dream out loud is where visions are birth. These visions have the pregnant possibility to be tantamount to professional icons, ideas that shift into multi-million-dollar businesses, ingenious inventions, and-or worldwide solutions to everyday problems. Black mentorship connects the dreamer to the dream, helping their mentees tap into and pursue the passion in their purpose. Black mentors, through practice, demonstrates to their mentees that someone cares enough to listen, to stop, to steer, to support, to guide, to love them specifically, and this matters so very much as we aim for our children to have the best that life has to offer. For mentorship is an act of love. Black mentors will guide the next generation of not just Black excellence, but all excellence that lay within the mental bank deposits of every child. So, during Black History Month, we celebrate Black mentors and honor the importance of these everyday heroes who make the greatest impact on our most impressionable young minds. Thank you!

Veronica Simmons

Director, DC ReEngagement Center

Office of the State Superintendent of Education