MISSION AND VISIONOur mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our vision is that all youth achieve their full potential.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FIND OUT MORE HERE
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Missy Acosta, ChairBecky Sharpe, Vice PresidentGrant Kinnett, TreasurerRoss Pepper, SecretaryCher Porties, Community LiaisonCynthia Whitfi eld-Story, Immediate Past PresidentTerry Vo, Member at LargeKelly Hodges, Member at LargeChad Greer, Member at LargeDavid Braemer, Member at Large
Melissa Hudson-Gant, Chief Executive Offi cer
David Estrin, Chief Operating Offi cer
Rebecca Ackerman, Chief Impact Offi cer
David L. Edwards III, Chief Development Offi cer
Doug Halleen, Vice President of Development
o www.mentorakid.org y Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee
� /mentorakid � /bigbrobigsismt
c /mentorakid � /mentorakid
Big Brother Anthony and Little Brother Arron began their mentoring relationship virtually, and while it came with its challenges, the two have formed a strong bond despite the distance. At fi rst, Arron was shy, and Anthony carried the conversations, but soon Arron began to take the lead. “They talk more than anyone I know,” said Arron’s mom, Belisha. Arron himself talked about how his relationship with Anthony has helped him open up and become more confi dent in other aspects of his life, particularly in school and around friends. As it became safe to do so, Arron and Anthony began doing activities together in person, and they are both glad they built the foundation of their relationship over video calls because when they met in person for the fi rst time, it was like reconnecting with an old friend.
ARRON AND ANTHONY:BUILDING CONNECTION IN A DISTANT TIME
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee1704 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 130 | Nashville, TN 37203 | 615 329 9191 2020 IMPACT REPORT
52 YEARS OF IGNITING POTENTIAL
David BaileyJack BaxterLisa BergBrandon CorbinAnne CorraoDennis GeorgatosAnders HallJames HallockAmanda HenleyChris Huskey
Sheena Jones-CooferTom LampeAllen McDonaldChris MireeScott RomineEdward RuckerCurtiss SullivanAlex TolbertErica VickBrian Whisnant
AfricanAmerican
Hispanic Multi-Race
OtherWhite
118
14 214744
9566
384
478
100
Bigs
Littles
550URBAN
140RURAL
VS.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters movement was founded 117 years ago as an alternative to the juvenile justice system. BBBSMT remains committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as it is integral to our mission and vision that all youth have the support and tools they need to reach their full potential.
BBBSMT commits to honor the experience and identity – both seen and unseen – of every person in our Big Family. This year, we continued our commitment to engage a diverse group of volunteer mentors, board members, and staff who refl ect the cultural, ethnic, and economic composition of the youth we serve.
BigsAfrican American - 16%Multi-Race - 25%
LittlesOther - 36%White - 13%
INCREASES OVER LAST YEAR
STAFF
300% increase in People of Color
BOARD MEMBERS
75% increase in People of Color
OUR IMPACT BY THE NUMBERSIn 2020, we increased the time we spend preparing and equipping mentors to be the best Bigs to their Littles. After participating in 3.5 hours of training, 92% of our Bigs report they feel confi dent and prepared to handle the challenges of being a mentor.
TOTAL YOUTHSERVED
690
WHEREMATCHESLIVE
8 COUNTIESSERVED
WHERE MENTORINGTAKES PLACE
59%COMMUNITY-BASED
23%SITE-BASED
17%E-MENTORING
1%SPORTS BUDDIES
NEWGRADUATES53
These Littles are joining a large network of BBBSMT Alumni.
We are proud to partner with many local schools, including Antioch High School, Cedar Grove Elementary, and Cheatham Park Elementary.
STAYING STRONG AND STAYING CONNECTED THROUGH COVID-19When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, our top priorities were to keep our Big Family safe and sustain relationships. In a season when physical isolation was required, we knew that connection was what many needed most. Building on our years of service in Middle Tennessee, we approached this challenge as an opportunity to innovate and meet the evolving needs of our youth. This included:
• Providing devices and Wi-Fi hotspots for families without internet access
• Co-creating the MentorHub platform with Dr. Jean Rhodes at the Center for Evidence-based Mentoring as a tool to support all BBBSMT programs
• Forming new partnerships with Meharry Medical College, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and the New Beginnings Center
• Launching the Mentor Corps Fellowship, which was created to recruit and compensate highly sought-after mentors, such as Black men, LGBTQ+ persons and Spanish-speaking persons to support our youth
67%
While we consistently have a greater number of male Littles than Bigs, we made substantial progress towards closing that gap in 2020. We also expanded our initiatives to provide short-term mentoring groups for male Littles centered around shared interests and activities, such as sports and video games.
GROWING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPANDING SERVICE
FEMALEBigs - 430Littles - 382
MALEBigs - 257Littles - 307
NONBINARY/TRANSGENDERBigs - 3Littles - 1
PARTNERING WITH MEHARRYMEDICAL COLLEGE Our new partnership with Meharry Medical College, the fi rst medical school for Black students in the South, pairs medical student Bigs with Littles in the Academy of Health Science & Personal Care at Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School. This partnership helps meet the need for more African American Bigs, and provides valuable support and guidance for students in STEM.
55% OF INQUIRIES FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN BIGS CAME FROM MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
OUR COMMITMENTTO DIVERSITY
OF RELATIONSHIPSSUSTAINED
AfricanAmerican
Hispanic Multi-Race
OtherWhite
118
14 214744
9566
384
478
100
Bigs
Littles
550URBAN
140RURAL
VS.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters movement was founded 117 years ago as an alternative to the juvenile justice system. BBBSMT remains committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion as it is integral to our mission and vision that all youth have the support and tools they need to reach their full potential.
BBBSMT commits to honor the experience and identity – both seen and unseen – of every person in our Big Family. This year, we continued our commitment to engage a diverse group of volunteer mentors, board members, and staff who refl ect the cultural, ethnic, and economic composition of the youth we serve.
BigsAfrican American - 16%Multi-Race - 25%
LittlesOther - 36%White - 13%
INCREASES OVER LAST YEAR
STAFF
300% increase in People of Color
BOARD MEMBERS
75% increase in People of Color
OUR IMPACT BY THE NUMBERSIn 2020, we increased the time we spend preparing and equipping mentors to be the best Bigs to their Littles. After participating in 3.5 hours of training, 92% of our Bigs report they feel confi dent and prepared to handle the challenges of being a mentor.
TOTAL YOUTHSERVED
690
WHEREMATCHESLIVE
8 COUNTIESSERVED
WHERE MENTORINGTAKES PLACE
59%COMMUNITY-BASED
23%SITE-BASED
17%E-MENTORING
1%SPORTS BUDDIES
NEWGRADUATES53
These Littles are joining a large network of BBBSMT Alumni.
We are proud to partner with many local schools, including Antioch High School, Cedar Grove Elementary, and Cheatham Park Elementary.
STAYING STRONG AND STAYING CONNECTED THROUGH COVID-19When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, our top priorities were to keep our Big Family safe and sustain relationships. In a season when physical isolation was required, we knew that connection was what many needed most. Building on our years of service in Middle Tennessee, we approached this challenge as an opportunity to innovate and meet the evolving needs of our youth. This included:
• Providing devices and Wi-Fi hotspots for families without internet access
• Co-creating the MentorHub platform with Dr. Jean Rhodes at the Center for Evidence-based Mentoring as a tool to support all BBBSMT programs
• Forming new partnerships with Meharry Medical College, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and the New Beginnings Center
• Launching the Mentor Corps Fellowship, which was created to recruit and compensate highly sought-after mentors, such as Black men, LGBTQ+ persons and Spanish-speaking persons to support our youth
67%
While we consistently have a greater number of male Littles than Bigs, we made substantial progress towards closing that gap in 2020. We also expanded our initiatives to provide short-term mentoring groups for male Littles centered around shared interests and activities, such as sports and video games.
GROWING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPANDING SERVICE
FEMALEBigs - 430Littles - 382
MALEBigs - 257Littles - 307
NONBINARY/TRANSGENDERBigs - 3Littles - 1
PARTNERING WITH MEHARRYMEDICAL COLLEGE Our new partnership with Meharry Medical College, the fi rst medical school for Black students in the South, pairs medical student Bigs with Littles in the Academy of Health Science & Personal Care at Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School. This partnership helps meet the need for more African American Bigs, and provides valuable support and guidance for students in STEM.
55% OF INQUIRIES FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN BIGS CAME FROM MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
OUR COMMITMENTTO DIVERSITY
OF RELATIONSHIPSSUSTAINED
MISSION AND VISIONOur mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our vision is that all youth achieve their full potential.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FIND OUT MORE HERE
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Missy Acosta, ChairBecky Sharpe, Vice PresidentGrant Kinnett, TreasurerRoss Pepper, SecretaryCher Porties, Community LiaisonCynthia Whitfi eld-Story, Immediate Past PresidentTerry Vo, Member at LargeKelly Hodges, Member at LargeChad Greer, Member at LargeDavid Braemer, Member at Large
Melissa Hudson-Gant, Chief Executive Offi cer
David Estrin, Chief Operating Offi cer
Rebecca Ackerman, Chief Impact Offi cer
David L. Edwards III, Chief Development Offi cer
Doug Halleen, Vice President of Development
o www.mentorakid.org y Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee
� /mentorakid � /bigbrobigsismt
c /mentorakid � /mentorakid
Big Brother Anthony and Little Brother Arron began their mentoring relationship virtually, and while it came with its challenges, the two have formed a strong bond despite the distance. At fi rst, Arron was shy, and Anthony carried the conversations, but soon Arron began to take the lead. “They talk more than anyone I know,” said Arron’s mom, Belisha. Arron himself talked about how his relationship with Anthony has helped him open up and become more confi dent in other aspects of his life, particularly in school and around friends. As it became safe to do so, Arron and Anthony began doing activities together in person, and they are both glad they built the foundation of their relationship over video calls because when they met in person for the fi rst time, it was like reconnecting with an old friend.
ARRON AND ANTHONY:BUILDING CONNECTION IN A DISTANT TIME
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee1704 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 130 | Nashville, TN 37203 | 615 329 9191 2020 IMPACT REPORT
52 YEARS OF IGNITING POTENTIAL
David BaileyJack BaxterLisa BergBrandon CorbinAnne CorraoDennis GeorgatosAnders HallJames HallockAmanda HenleyChris Huskey
Sheena Jones-CooferTom LampeAllen McDonaldChris MireeScott RomineEdward RuckerCurtiss SullivanAlex TolbertErica VickBrian Whisnant