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Mentorship: 100 Black Men Of Dekalb Standing In The Gap
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When a child lacks positive role models, they'll find their own path—shaped by whatever influences surround them. But what if we could change that trajectory through intentional mentorship?
Leon Cohen, a dedicated member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, joins us to reveal how this remarkable organization has been transforming young lives since 1963. Founded by luminaries including Jackie Robinson and former NYC Mayor David Dinkins, the group operates on a powerful principle: "What they see is what they'll be."
Through their Leadership Academy, they're cultivating tomorrow's leaders with practical skills often missing from traditional education—financial literacy, public speaking, conflict resolution, and even formal etiquette. Unlike one-on-one mentoring programs, their group approach reaches more youth while creating meaningful connections that last a lifetime.
The conversation takes an emotional turn when discussing teen violence and the urgent need for positive male influences. As Leon explains, "Standing in the gap" means providing guidance when fathers are absent or overwhelmed, showing young men possibilities beyond what popular culture offers them. The results speak volumes—from shy, directionless teens to confident young adults with clear educational and career goals.
Whether you're already mentoring or feeling called to make a difference, this episode delivers profound insights on meeting young people where they are, speaking their language, and modeling the behavior that creates lasting change. Because in the end, we're not just building better individuals—we're cultivating the next generation of leaders who will lift entire communities.
RESOURCES:
IG: @100BlackMenOfDekalb @100BlackMen @JustinTheMentor @StephaneAlexandreOfficial @LeonCohen
100BMOD: https://100bmod.org/
Joshua Byrd: https://alumni.gsu.edu/40under40-profile/joshua-byrd/
Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on all Socials: Manhood Matters Podcast
Host: StéphaneAlexandre
IG: @stephanealexandreofficial
Music by Liam Weisner
Sponsored by www.OnsiteLabs.net
(833) 878-3323
Chapters
1. Mentorship: 100 Black Men Of Dekalb Standing In The Gap (00:00:00)
2. Introduction to Mentorship Impact (00:00:28)
3. Personal Mentorship Experiences (00:02:45)
4. 100 Black Men Organization Origins (00:05:51)
5. Standing in the Gap for Youth (00:11:30)
6. Group Mentoring Approach (00:17:26)
7. Teaching Leadership and Etiquette (00:23:00)
8. The Cost and Value of Mentorship (00:32:35)
9. Reaching Youth Before It's Too Late (00:37:21)
10. Impact of Social Media on Mentorship (00:43:43)
11. Success Stories and Taking Action (00:48:42)
12. Closing Thoughts on Building Leaders (00:57:14)
24 episodes
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