Nationwide Effort to Recruit Male Mentors for
12,000 African American Boys
Baisden adopts a high school class of 28 young men
to spark One Dream One Team mentoring agenda
Orlando, FL - When renowned radio personality Michael Baisden posted "A real man takes care of his kids no matter what the relationship is with the mother of the child," on
his Facebook page, he never anticipated the over nine million views or
one million plus likes and comments he received as feedback! The
overwhelming response prompted him into immediate action. A diehard
advocate for mentoring since 2010 with his "One Million Mentors National
Campaign to Save Our Kids" 72-city tour, Baisden has now launched a
new initiative, the "One Dream One Team" Mentoring Initiative. His specific goal is to help recruit African American male mentors for the 12,000 African American boys on the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) waiting lists for a one-on-one mentor match.
A
known social activist since his organizing of the 2007 Jena Six March
and his work with the 2012 Trayvon Martin Rally, Baisden has always
demonstrated a strong show of commitment via his actions. True to this
trait, he has adopted a classroom of 28 boys at Evans High School
in Orlando, Florida to spearhead the "One Dream One Team" momentum.
Baisden takes time out of his busy work schedule for a mentoring session
with the students weekly.
In addition, the New York Times best-selling author
and motivational speaker is hosting a special "One Dream One Team"
Think Tank event in Orlando on October 26 at the Rosen Shingle Creek
Hotel in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Venue sponsorship is
provided by Mr. Harris Rosen of the Tangelo Park
Project and attendees will include various African American
fraternities, local and national organizations, community leaders and
churches. The gathering is an orchestrated effort to strategize a plan
for recruiting additional qualified male mentors. The boys on the
national "waiting-to-be-matched" list
average 14 years in age and the goal is to have mentors for all 12,000 within a year.
"This is an urgent matter and an urgent call," cites Baisden. "Too
often we are quick to criticize the behavior of our young men but are
slow to step up to correct them or show them a better example. You have
to see a man to be a man, the question is, what are we showing them?
These young men need us desperately. It only takes one hour of your
time each week to positively impact and change some young man's life. We
can't afford to say no and we cannot ignore this issue. Their lives and
yes, their futures are depending on it!"
Outside
of his career as a radio personality, Michael Baisden has always
mobilized around the issue of mentoring. His foundation was founded in
2005 as a non-profit organization that was formed to promote mentoring
with a dedication to education, literacy and advancement in local
communities. The foundation has donated half of the nearly one million
dollars raised to mentoring organizations in over 70 cities nationwide
with a goal to inspire caring adults to become responsible mentors. With
that success "One Dream One Team" takes his personal mission even
further.
Big Brothers Big Sisters acknowledged Baisden as one of its celebrity ambassadors in 2012 and presented him with The Michael Baisden Inspiration Award. The
Baisden Inspiration award is now an annual honor given to individuals
demonstrating consistent generosity and dedication to support the
nationwide mentoring organization's African American mentoring programs.
As
a bestselling author, Baisden has always been an advocate of books and
reading. His foundation has already purchased the first two books for
his adopted classroom of young boys to read, "The Mis-Education of the
Negro" by Carter G. Woodson and "The Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys" by Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu.
Baisden
shares a passionate testimony as to how books changed his life. "In ten
short years, I went from driving trains in Chicago to becoming a four
time best selling author, television talk show host and a nationally
syndicated radio personality. Dreams do come true," he reveals, "and
that dream for me began when I opened a book. Books change lives and I'm
living proof! I look forward to instilling these young men with dreams
and I'm looking for 12,000 Black men to join me and do the same."
About Michael Baisden
Michael
Baisden is a best selling author, noted speaker and undeniably one of
the most influential and engaging personalities in radio history. His
meteoric rise to #1 redefined radio with a syndicated show heard in
nearly 100 cities with millions of listeners. As a college dropout,
former Air Force Sergeant, single parent and transit worker from the
south side of Chicago, he wanted his life to mean something. That
opportunity came when he stepped out on faith to live his dream of
becoming a writer. That courageous step resulted in five best selling
books with nearly two million in print and two stage plays. He is also a
TV talk show host, film producer, social activist, philanthropist and
founder of The Michael Baisden Foundation with a national mentoring
partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The accomplished
speaker makes it a point to promote mentoring at all of his engagements.
Baisden's newest book, "Raise Your Hand If You Have Issues," will be
released in October. Join the effort on Facebook, follow on Twitter,
YouTube and online at www.BaisdenLive.com .
For information on "One Dream One Team" go to
Find or Follow Michael on Facebook or Twitter: BaisdenLive
| Michael Baisden Mentoring |
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